We (eBay) announced today that SkypeOut is free through the end of the year for users in the US and Canada. This is cool on its own, but I'm very excited because it makes my favorite new software -- Soonr -- even more useful. Soonr is a mobile app that proxies your desktop. Soonr currently supports file sharing, Outlook, and most recently, Skype calls and chats.
The way Skype support works in Soonr is ingenious -- first you login to Soonr through your phone's web browser (I'm currently using Opera Mini). Then, you click on the Skype icon and up comes your buddy list. Click on someone in the list to call them, or optionally dial in a number to call someone not in your buddy list using SkypeOut. The magic sauce is that when you instigate a call, Skype (which is running on your computer) initiates a conference call with the person you are calling, while simutaneously conferencing your cell phone in using SkypeOut. That's what makes the free SkypeOut announcement so cool -- now you can call anyone in the world over Skype, from your cell phone, for free.
I tried it out to call Lester in England, and I left him a voice mail wishing his team (Arsenal) luck in tomorrows Champions League game. I then called Delyn, who was both impressed and confused as to what was happening. The call was better voice quality than had I called her on her cell phone, and of course it was free (just using up my cell phone minutes, of which I have plenty). The screen shot on the right shows Delyn's view of the Skype call she received from me. You can see my Skype user and my cell phone as members of the conference.
I love working for a company that makes big bold moves like this.
