Comments on: Skype identity crisis? http://www.ampersand.com/blog/2006/05/22/skype-identity-crisis/ Links and observations about VoIP, Presence, messaging, open source, blogs, and associated impact on society. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:19:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: mw http://www.ampersand.com/blog/2006/05/22/skype-identity-crisis/#comment-2694 mw Sun, 28 May 2006 07:55:31 +0000 http://www.ampersand.com/blog/2006/05/22/skype-identity-crisis/#comment-2694 I don't agree that Skype's identity is "presence - IM - talk". If that's really the "core" of Skype, then Skype will not last long - because Yahoo IM and MS Messenger can simply add voice communication. Actually Yahoo IM and MSN both have VoIP capability, and also video (using webcam)! The introduction of Skype phones like that Netgear thing, is to show that Skype will try to replace our present traditional long distance call service. SkypeOut is the key, I think. Imagine old grandma living far away, I can buy her a Netgear Skype phone. I help her sign up Skype and buy them some SkypeOut credits. She can call me easily - without using computer! However, I could see this competition between SkypeOut, Yahoo Voice Out, and even Gizmo Call Out, to become a price competition in the end. But I see Skype is trying to utilize its first (fast) mover position, and having more aliances (e.g. with telcos) to strengthen itself. I don’t agree that Skype’s identity is “presence - IM - talk”. If that’s really the “core” of Skype, then Skype will not last long - because Yahoo IM and MS Messenger can simply add voice communication. Actually Yahoo IM and MSN both have VoIP capability, and also video (using webcam)!

The introduction of Skype phones like that Netgear thing, is to show that Skype will try to replace our present traditional long distance call service. SkypeOut is the key, I think. Imagine old grandma living far away, I can buy her a Netgear Skype phone. I help her sign up Skype and buy them some SkypeOut credits. She can call me easily - without using computer!

However, I could see this competition between SkypeOut, Yahoo Voice Out, and even Gizmo Call Out, to become a price competition in the end. But I see Skype is trying to utilize its first (fast) mover position, and having more aliances (e.g. with telcos) to strengthen itself.

]]> By: Gary http://www.ampersand.com/blog/2006/05/22/skype-identity-crisis/#comment-2520 Gary Sat, 27 May 2006 11:22:37 +0000 http://www.ampersand.com/blog/2006/05/22/skype-identity-crisis/#comment-2520 Certainly "mood messages" can wisely be employed to encourage or discourage presence and availability for calls/IM. Certainly “mood messages” can wisely be employed to encourage or discourage presence and availability for calls/IM.

]]> By: Graeme http://www.ampersand.com/blog/2006/05/22/skype-identity-crisis/#comment-2518 Graeme Sat, 27 May 2006 11:11:06 +0000 http://www.ampersand.com/blog/2006/05/22/skype-identity-crisis/#comment-2518 Being mobile does not have to mean not using presence attributes. Here at <a href="http://www.wispa.it" rel="nofollow">WiSPA</a> we are one of those companies that allow Skype to be used from a user's cell phone (or WiFi or landline phone). When a user makes a call over Skype from their phone.they are provided with the recipients presence status prior to confirming the call. They can receive their IM messages and soon will be able to reply. They can change their call forward status which changes their presence and many other presence related features are being developed to extend mobility control. Presence must not be restricted to a desktop/PC approach - and to WiSPA, Skype mobility is about communications, of which presence is a critical component, and not just low cost calls. Being mobile does not have to mean not using presence attributes. Here at WiSPA we are one of those companies that allow Skype to be used from a user’s cell phone (or WiFi or landline phone). When a user makes a call over Skype from their phone.they are provided with the recipients presence status prior to confirming the call. They can receive their IM messages and soon will be able to reply. They can change their call forward status which changes their presence and many other presence related features are being developed to extend mobility control. Presence must not be restricted to a desktop/PC approach - and to WiSPA, Skype mobility is about communications, of which presence is a critical component, and not just low cost calls.

]]> By: Tim http://www.ampersand.com/blog/2006/05/22/skype-identity-crisis/#comment-2412 Tim Thu, 25 May 2006 22:43:14 +0000 http://www.ampersand.com/blog/2006/05/22/skype-identity-crisis/#comment-2412 I agree that if you expand the presence from being merely, on-line/off-line/away/not available (a decidedly computer/IM-centric approach), you’d be able to have more richer choices such as “Away-Available” if I’m out of my office but available on my cell wherein IM would not be an option. I agree that if you expand the presence from being merely, on-line/off-line/away/not available (a decidedly computer/IM-centric approach), you’d be able to have more richer choices such as “Away-Available” if I’m out of my office but available on my cell wherein IM would not be an option.

]]> By: Aswath http://www.ampersand.com/blog/2006/05/22/skype-identity-crisis/#comment-2166 Aswath Mon, 22 May 2006 21:52:58 +0000 http://www.ampersand.com/blog/2006/05/22/skype-identity-crisis/#comment-2166 I think we can have it both ways. As for presence, the phones could have a quick way to set the "level of availability", instead of presence. After all, even in Presence/IM, being "online" is not same as "available for IM". Also, the level of availability in some ways gives information that one can get with an IM exchange. I have been saying for some time that the value of presence is imagined. This has already happened because many IM clients allow "stealth" settings. I think we can have it both ways. As for presence, the phones could have a quick way to set the “level of availability”, instead of presence. After all, even in Presence/IM, being “online” is not same as “available for IM”. Also, the level of availability in some ways gives information that one can get with an IM exchange.

I have been saying for some time that the value of presence is imagined. This has already happened because many IM clients allow “stealth” settings.

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