When Skype announced the SkypeKit beta program at the end of June, it became clear that the company had big plans for their service. They plan to expand beyond the computer and if possible even beyond the home, to become a truly universal platform for VoIP calls everywhere. While these plans sound grandiose, what do they actually mean for you, the customer?
First off, it's Skype's goal to make the service available everywhere to everyone. At present, you're able to access Skype on the go using smartphones such as your iPhone, Android, Symbian (Nokia), or Blackberry. Each smartphone has a different app but all of them truly require an unlimited internet allowance, unless you only plan on talking for a few minutes per month. The apps may incur a fee in future, but at present all of them are free for use.
Skype is also available for business customers and can be routed through a variety of different business phone systems, even if not VoIP, or installed in a completely new system. At present, Skype business usage is managed through Skype Manager. This program allows you to assign each phone and user a subscription or a certain amount of credit for calls to international countries. These allowances can be topped up whenever necessary. The program also allows managers to analyse usage time and cost, so you can ensure your employees are using their calls as they should. Calls between VoIP phones are free and in general Skype's rates are very cheap, making the switch a great idea for smaller businesses looking save some cash.
Skype's next step is to implement their service throughout the home. Their SkypeKit software will enable developers to build apps for a whole variety of appliances, from televisions to cars. You'll be able to use Skype from every room of your house. For the first time, Skype will become a viable replacement for a landline phone, since every device that is plugged into the internet should have a Skype application to go with it. That means you'll be able to chat in every room without needing to be sitting at a computer; envision wide-screen video chats on your normal television, where both you and your friend are sitting casually in your respective living rooms. Chats with multiple people will be even easier; it will be almost as though you're in the same room.
At present SkypeKit is available solely to consumer electronics device developers. The company are currently planning a slow roll-out of services and have yet to decide whether other web developers will be provided with the kit. Web developers can still access the Skype API to integrate the service into computer apps and peripheral devices like headphones and webcams.
What does this mean for eager Skype users everywhere? Mainly, it means that Skype is going to get a lot easier to use and is going to appear in many more places. We'll begin to see systems that implement Skype in the car, on your TV or stereo, and potentially even on refrigerators and other kitchen appliances. Skype's steps forward could not only be progress for the company, but for VoIP systems in the home. Business VoIP systems are widespread; perhaps in the coming years we'll see consumer systems become just as common.
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