skype and video etc

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,9076-1803303,00.html

Skype, the internet telecoms company owned by eBay, today moved  
closer to becoming a major platform for digital content and hinted it  
could soon offer online video services.

...Skype's foray into content distribution starts today with the  
launch of Personalise Skype, a feature that means that callers can  
receive and send pictures, sounds and ringtones over the Skype network.

...The company was bought by eBay earlier this month in a deal that  
could reach $4.1 billion (£2.3bn) if Skype hits its profit targets.

...Part of the message we want to send out is that Skype is open for  
business and that people, third parties, can work with Skype to  
provide content."

Skype also announced the full release of a call-forwarding service  
that allows people to forward free internet calls to mobile phones or  
a conventional landline for 1p a minute.

...However, Skype also appears to be be moving towards becoming a  
platform for online video content in a move that could eventually see  
it square up against conventional television companies.

Mr Klein said that video services had been discussed within Skype and  
suggested the company would unveil further new services in the next  
few months.

...Since its launch in August 2003, its software has been downloaded  
more than 174 million times in 225 countries and territories.

Around 56 million people are registered to use Skype's free services,  
with more than 3 million people using Skype simultaneously at any one  
time, according to the company.

...Earlier this month, Terry Semel, the chief executive of Yahoo!,  
said he wanted to develop a global internet television network, and  
invited British broadcasters to provide programmes that his company  
could distribute.

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