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Skype 2.0 beta offers video chat

Posted on December 2nd, 2005 — Posted in Internet Telephony News, Skype

Today Skype released Skpye 2.0 beta, which aims to bring video to the popular VoIP network.

Although PSP services such as MSN and AOL already offer some degree of video support, this is the first time we’ve seen it in a specific VoIP application.

The Press Release is here: <a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/12-01-2005/0004225680&EDATE=">On2 Technologies Codec Offers High Quality Video to Skype</a>

<blockquote>
On2 Technologies, Inc., and Skype, the global Internet communications company, today announced that the beta version of Skype 2.0 — the newest version of Skype’s revolutionary software that allows anyone with an Internet connection to make free Internet calls — uses On2 codec technology to deliver high quality video. Announced earlier today, the new Skype Video offering allows Skype users to see and send real time video as they Skype with their friends, family and colleagues.

…

Skype has licensed current and future versions of On2 Technologies video compression software, the TrueMotion video codec, and has worked closely with On2 to integrate its compression technology with Skype 2.0 to ensure a superior Internet calling experience for Skype users worldwide.
</blockquote>

Sounds cool, huh? The investment markets don’t seem impressed - but the idea of a VoIP video connection has to be exciting, even if only within this application base. True, it’s playing catch up on video chat - but the reach of Skype is strong, and it can only be empowering for consumers away from traditional telephony.

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