Skype Widens Scope

Skype Widens Scope

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Though not directly related to the consumer imaging world, the news at CES that Skype is widening its sights on the burgeoning video-calling market is worth keeping an eye on.

The evolving Internet phone service announced their new premium video service, Skype's Group Video Calling, that for $8.99 a month lets consumers and companies put up to 10 people on the same call from anywhere.

This news was coupled with the announced acquisition of Qik, whose expertise in mobile video streaming and storage is a nice fit as those are both areas Skype has needed help with.

The company has also partnered with Sony and Panasonic to create Skype-ready Blu-ray players. Additionally, Sony and Vizio have produced TVs loaded with Skype for later this year. Together, the deals are expected to increase Skype's availability on TV sets to 40 million this year.

“This is about taking Skype's video calling for consumers and businesses to the next level,” Doug Bewsher, Skype's chief marketing officer, said at a press conference. “We are significantly expanding our reach into living rooms (and) pushing further into mobiles.”

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