It has been a little while since I’ve checked in on the Skype front. Looking back now (see below), it seems I provided a huge amount of coverage on this app that I’m not using as frequently any more. I wonder how many others like me that were really excited about the application that have reduced their usage once the novelty of the application was over. For me, anyway, it was a matter of getting out of the habit of encouraging my contacts to get on Skype, simply not enough of the people I regularly talk to in business are using the app. 

Skype has now eclipsed three million downloads, have pushed the 100,000 users online at one time level and as seen above have just added a newer version that allows custom ring tones. This feature was something I was looking forward to, in addition to the ability to record conversations. According to when I interviewed Project Manager, Andreas, on my radio show, it was going to be 60-90 days (at least) before Skype left beta. It’s been 45 days since that interview, and I’m not sure from reading their website how much closer they are. They’ve released two new beta versions and they’ve moved their forum from IP to the actual Skype website. I still hope this application really takes off, but at this point after the excitement of the initial discovery and launch I’m of the opinion that until enough of one’s contacts gets on Skype, it’s going to cater to a smaller niche audience. It still sounds fantastic though when compared to other voice over IP apps currently on the market.

More Skype entries:
Gathered facts as Skype eclipses one million downloads
Skype tops 16,000 users online and 240,000 downloads
New Skype goodies and articles
Blogger with questions about Skype use in terms and conditions
Starting a Skype-roll and skypisms
Skypers unofficially defined as Skype phenomenon continues to grow
My proposed Skype record user interface (UI)
How to record a Skype conversation

Others writing about Skype:
Skype Problems Confirmed
Yahoo Product Review: Skype Tops Frustrations
Why Skype Growth Is Slowing
DE-SKYPED: Just something that didn’t add any value to me personally.
Skype & SIP

• Skype VoIP adds conference calling
• Skype illegal in South Africa?
• Skype over two million online and almost 75 million downloads
• “Skypers” unofficially defined as Skype phenomenon continues to grow
• Skype tops 16,000 users online and 240,000+ downloads
• Gathered facts as Skype eclipses one million downloads