Video phone for Skypers

While we’re on the subject of video, a video conferencing plug-in for the broadband phone software, Skype has just been released.

With the Spontania Video4skype download installed, Skype users with web cams can now see who they’re talking to by placing a video call.

But if you’re not a Skype user, don’t worry – the video plug-in is intended to work with a wide range of Voice over IP systems. The download is free, but users can expect even greater functionality to be offered when the plug-in developers, Dialcom, launch subscription services.

Meanwhile, the Computex 2005 show in Taipei last week saw the launch of several broadband-enabled telephone handsets including many aimed specifically at Skype users.

The handsets, which closely resemble mobile phones, are plugged into a USB port or broadband router/modem and operate like a normal telephone. Wireless versions are also available. Broadband phone features include encryption, voice activation, colour screens, polyphonic ring tones, the usual moby phone functions and email. One even sports the ability to sniff out Wi-Fi hotspots for extra mobility.

Broadband phones can be purchased to support the following standards:

• 802.11b
• 802.11b/g
• 802.11e
• 802.11f
• 802.1x
• SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)
• DECT

Skype, much in the news of late, now has more than 39 million registered users, growing by more than 150,000 new users per day.