TMCnet News
Vapps Brings Conferencing Services to Skype UsersTMCnet VoIP Minute Watch Columnist
Vapps, a provider of audio conferencing systems announced on Tuesday a multi-party audio conferencing service for the Skype community, supporting up to 500 participants per call. Powered by Vapps, the new service, Highspeedconferencing.com, will enable Skypers to communicate by hosting or joining conference calls with up to 500 participants using any type of Skype, wireless or traditional telephone calling device from any where in the world.
The service features standard call management (volume control, muting, participant announcing, conference locking and recording) along with sophisticated moderator features for Web-based on-demand call control. Vapps plans to launch a premium service in early February that will target advanced business class users and incorporate conference call recording and Web-based question and answer sessions. "For the first time, Skype users can enjoy the benefits of full featured multi-party conference calling at any time and from any place," noted Vapps' CEO and co-founder Ben Lilienthal. "Furthermore, our service can be accessed by any type of network and is a testament to our commitment for bringing high quality converged communications to the marketplace."
Skype made news earlier this month when Internet access product manufacturer USRobotics announced on its introduction of the USR9610, a Skype-certified USB Internet Speakerphone. The device is the newest in the company's family of Skype-certified products, which also includes the USR9600, a USB Internet handset. The speakerphone will be available through resellers later this month and is priced at $49.99 (MSRP).
The USR9610 USB Internet Speakerphone enables users to make Skype calls hands-free. The device allows echo cancellation and features volume and mute buttons and full-duplex operation. The unit's small size and sturdy design allows users to drop it into their laptop bag without fear of damage.
"The speakerphone demonstrates our commitment to bringing reliable, easy to use products to our customers," says Rizwan Akbar, USRobotics' product manager. "It is simple to install and use, makes Skype Internet calling feel just like traditional telephone calling, and allows users to make free phone calls using their broadband Internet connection."
Vapps
Skype Technologies, S.A.
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Johanne Torres is contributing editor for TMCnet and Internet Telephony magazine. To see more articles by Johanne Torres, please visit Johanne Torres' columnist page
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