Video calls on Skype are a great way to connect face to face with far away friends and family--it adds a whole extra dimension to the conversation. While you do get to see the person's face, it sometimes can be difficult to see the person "eye-to-eye", because webcams are placed above screens, so as you're looking at the other person on your screen, the camera captures you looking down. I think this is a minor annoyance that comes with the territory, but a few companies are trying to solve the problem.

When I first heard about Iris2Iris, I assumed it would be a type of periscope attachment (like this) that would clip onto your laptop or over your existing webcam. Actually, it's a whole different beast, an entire second montor with its own stand, built-in webcam and speakers, and a mirror that reflects the webcam so that it captures where you're looking on the screen. Iris2iris sent me a prototype unit for several weeks to try out.

First Impressions

The Iris2iris unit is huge; it is composed of an audio/camera unit, a mirror system for reflecting the camera, a 14 inch monitor, and a base. It was necessary to assembly these parts, and while not difficult, it was a bit more work than I was expecting. Some of the pieces didn't fit together perfectly the first time (though I was testing a prototype so this may have changed in production). Soon enough it was all together, a somewhat imposing figure on my desk.

The Iris2iris connected to my computer via VGA and USB -- it was easy to install the webcam driver and get the monitor working with my computer (though I did have some difficulty hooking it up to my computer at first, but I blame my computer's finnicky video settings rather than the Iris2iris). I set the Iris2iris to be an extended desktop, so that applications could be dragged to it and then maximized there.

Functionality

Even before using the Iris2iris as a communications device, I found it really useful as a second monitor. It sits quite high on its stand and was easy to glance at next to my regular laptop. I could put my work email on the screen then easily keep an eye on it as I worked on my main screen. But where Iris2Iris worked best (as you might expect) was on Skype calls.

For most of the day I would keep Skype maximized Skype on the Iris2iris's monitor, and then when I made or received video calls, I could just just make the video go full screen and start talking. It was that easy -- I didn't have to fumble with a headset because the built-in mic worked well (though you can use one if you want).

The people I spoke to said I sounded great (without any echo) and looked great because they could see my eyes looking directly at them. Above is a screen grab that Peter from the main blog took while I was chatting with him.

Conclusion

To take the best advantage of Iris2Iris you'd need two units: one for you to benefit the person you're speaking to, and one for the other person for your benefit, but even with just one I found Iris2iris to be a really easy way to have video chats -- the dedicated monitor and built-in mic/speakers made starting up video conversations over Skype even easier. And Iris2iris's usage isn't limited to Skype--I could also see it working well for video bloggers and news readers -- using teleprompter software, you could be looking right at the camera while reading a script.

Bottom line: Iris2iris is a really interesting gadget that solves a problem you might not have known you even had. While my prototype unit was a bit difficult to set up, it performed very well. The production units look to be quite expensive, but if you're a hardcore video chatter, you may find Iris2iris's benefits worth it. You can learn more about Iris2iris (including purchasing options) on their website here.]]> http://share.skype.com/sites/skypegear/2009/09/skype_gear_roadtest_iris2iris.html tag:share.skype.com,2009:/sites/skypegear//16.30441 2009-09-09T10:52:29Z 2009-09-09T18:36:29Z

Earlier this month Philips announced its latest Skype phone, the VoIP855. This DECT cordless phone combines Skype and regular landline calling without the need for a PC, and is a follow-up to the very popular Philips VoIP 841 Cordless Phone for Skype. It automatically syncs with your Skype contacts, has XHD sound, and is Skype Certified, meaning it's been through the wringer testing-wise and should provide a great user experience.

The Philips VoIP855 will be available for purchase in the next few weeks. For more information you can check out Philips's press release [PDF link] and spec sheet [PDF link], and I'm going to be posting a full review of the device here on the Gear Blog soon.]]> http://share.skype.com/sites/skypegear/2009/09/new_cordless_skype_phone_the_p.html tag:share.skype.com,2009:/sites/skypegear//16.29551 2009-08-14T09:36:43Z 2009-08-14T11:08:05Z

Illustration by Marc Rosenthal on School Library Journal Using Skype in the classroom is a great way to make learning come alive for students. Howard on the US blog recently mentioned how in the US authors are visiting classrooms...

Andrew Brennan

Illustration by Marc Rosenthal on School Library Journal

Using Skype in the classroom is a great way to make learning come alive for students. Howard on the US blog recently mentioned how in the US authors are visiting classrooms to meet students and students are learning about islands around the world. What else can Skype do in the classroom?

Well, Ms. Ward, author of the Teacher Et Cetera blog, mentions these uses in this informative blog post on Skype in the classroom:

• Connect your class to virtual penpals
• Help students hear native speakers when learning a foreign language
• Collaborate with another class on a joint research project
• Bring authors into your classroom via Skype
• Learn about another culture by connecting students to a classroom from that culture
• Learn about geography from students living in an area you are studying
• Bring professionals from your content area to "speak" in your classroom
• Conduct interviews
• Create pod- and screencasts with students from other parts of the world
• Study the same book with another class and hold web book talks
• Have students in your class create virtual presentations for students in other schools
• Attend a webinar with your students

Other great sources of information include the Global Education Collaborative, the Skype in Schools wiki, this article on School Library Journal, and this list of international classrooms interested in participating.

Classrooms are using Skype across the world--like this class in the US who caught up with a former classmate who had moved to Kenya with her family--to across the city, like these classes of third and sixth-graders in Waltham, MA telling each other stories (via Skype Journal):

Do you know of any other great uses for or examples of Skype in the classroom? Let us know in the comments!]]> http://share.skype.com/sites/skypegear/2009/08/skype_in_schools_resources_and.html tag:share.skype.com,2009:/sites/skypegear//16.29381 2009-07-31T15:00:58Z 2009-07-31T16:27:18Z

Have you tried screen sharing yet? The feature has been around for Skype users on the Mac for a while now, and it was recently added to Skype for Windows. It's a really great way to collaborate. Once you...

Andrew Brennan

Have you tried screen sharing yet? The feature has been around for Skype users on the Mac for a while now, and it was recently added to Skype for Windows. It's a really great way to collaborate.

Once you turn screen sharing on (by clicking on Share -> Share Your Screen in the conversation window while you're on a call), the person you're speaking to sees your screen. He or she can then comment as you edit a document, see a presentation you're giving, or can instruct you on how to troubleshoot a computer issue. I haven't done this with my parents yet, but I can imagine it would be much easier than trying to troubleshoot with them describing what they're seeing on screen.

This week mobile devices blog jkOnTheRun wrote a nice post about using Skype to collaborate across the US and across the Atlantic. James Kendrick said:

We accomplished in 30 minutes what would have taken us hours going back and forth via email. This collaboration made it seem as if we were in the same room working together, which in a way we were.

He goes on to say:

I have tried many different tools for collaborating remotely, and I must say that Skype's implementation of desktop sharing is the best by far. It has been consistent in quality, and I've experienced no issues yet. Throw in the bonus of it being free, and Skype has created a winner.

Thanks James! You can check out his whole post here. And if you haven't tried screen sharing yet, what are you waiting for? Give it a try!]]> http://share.skype.com/sites/skypegear/2009/07/screen_sharing_skype_has_creat.html tag:share.skype.com,2009:/sites/skypegear//16.29101 2009-07-22T13:00:00Z 2009-07-22T13:06:01Z

While headsets are not always the sexiest bit of kit, having a good one is a very important thing. If a headset sounds great, makes you sound great, and is comfortable to wear for a long time, it can...

Andrew Brennan

While headsets are not always the sexiest bit of kit, having a good one is a very important thing. If a headset sounds great, makes you sound great, and is comfortable to wear for a long time, it can make you much more pleasant to speak with. OK, perhaps that's stretching it a bit, but if you have a headset you like, I think it is fair to say that you'll wear it more and it will be easier to make and receive Skype calls, which is certainly a good thing.

Has the FREETALK Everyman headset made me a more pleasant person to speak with? You'd have to ask all the people I've spoken to while I've been testing it out, but I think they'd say the answer is yes. The Everyman headset is a great performer at a great price -- read on for my full review.]]> First Impressions

The Everyman headset has an attractive, sturdy plastic design. It's very adjustable -- the headband adjusts to the size of your head and the flexible boom mic easily adjusts to the right place in front of your mouth. The mic folds up out of the way when you don't need it, and the earpieces fold inward when you aren't wearing the headset, taking up less space for travel and storage.

The headset connects to your computer via USB, and fortunately the USB jack is quite small -- you shouldn't have a problem plugging into a Mac or other computer where your USB ports are close together. In addition to the USB connection, the headset also has a regular 3.5 mm headphone jack, giving you extra flexibility to use the headset with your MP3 player or other device when you're away from your computer. I think this is great--I've definitely had times where I've had a USB headset with me and have wished I could use it without a computer.

It might seem slightly counterintuitive though--why bother having a USB connection if you're going to have a 3.5mm connection as well -- why not add a 3.5mm microphone jack and not use USB? There actually is a good reason: When you use a 'regular' headset with 3.5mm headphone and microphone jacks, you depend on your system's soundcard to process the audio coming in and out of Skype. Often the soundcards included on computers are low quality, and while they get the job done, they might interfere with the audio somehow, and Skype can't guarantee the quality of the audio coming out of the soundcard and going into the Skype client.

With a Skype Certified USB headset (like the Everyman), the soundcard is built into the headset. During the certification process Skype tests the digital USB connection and can verify its quality. The audio bypasses your computer's built-in soundcard and reaches the Skype client in the same state as it was when it went into the mic, and you hear audio without distortion as comes out of the Skype client. All in all it ensures a better user experience for you.

Functionality

The Everyman was easy to set up for use with Skype -- I just plugged it in and Skype immediately recognized it. I tested the mic for a week in my office on all sorts of Skype-to-Skype calls, calls to regular phones, and conference calls. It was effortless to wear -- quite light and unobtrusive. The sound quality was really good -- the speakers are neodymium and have a wide frequency response range (20Hz-20KHz). The Everyman also supports Skype's recently introduced Super Wideband Audio codec. Like the Plantronics .Audio 655 before it, I could hear the difference. I also listened to a lot of music with the Everyman, and it sounded very good, both on the USB connection with my computer and on the 3.5mm connection with my MP3 player. The one thing that the Everyman is missing is an inline volume control--it's not a huge deal, but would be nice to have for quick volume adjustments.

Conclusion

The FREETALK Everyman is a very good headset. Lightweight, comfortable, great-sounding -- but perhaps the best part is the price. The Everyman is available in the Skype Shop for £18.51 in the UK, €19,88 in continental Europe and $22.88 in the US. You can find it in your local Skype Shop by clicking here and then choosing your country in the dropdown box at the bottom of the page.]]> http://share.skype.com/sites/skypegear/2009/07/skype_gear_roadtest_the_freeta.html tag:share.skype.com,2009:/sites/skypegear//16.28681 2009-07-03T09:30:35Z 2009-07-14T17:02:23Z

It's been a big week for Skype software releases -- in addition to the release of Skype 1.1 for iPhone and Skype 4.1 for Windows, Skype 3.0 for Windows Phones was released. As Peter mentioned in his post, the biggest...

Andrew Brennan It's been a big week for Skype software releases -- in addition to the release of Skype 1.1 for iPhone and Skype 4.1 for Windows, Skype 3.0 for Windows Phones was released. As Peter mentioned in his post, the biggest new features in the new version are the ability to send SMS messages and files from within the client.

Here's a short walkthrough video of Skype 3.0 for Windows Phones, demonstrated on a (very nice) HTC Touch Pro 2.

]]> http://share.skype.com/sites/skypegear/2009/07/skype_30_for_windows_phones_vi.html tag:share.skype.com,2009:/sites/skypegear//16.28461 2009-06-26T15:05:17Z 2009-07-14T16:50:08Z

Some recent Skype stories in the news: Gear The new Nokia N97, which will soon have a Skype client built-in, is among the new smartphones reviewed in the UK's Times. The USO (which provides on-site support for American soldiers...

Andrew Brennan

Some recent Skype stories in the news:

Gear

• The new Nokia N97, which will soon have a Skype client built-in, is among the new smartphones reviewed in the UK's Times.
• The USO (which provides on-site support for American soldiers abroad) will be installing the IPEVO S0-10 Desktop Phone for Skype in 18 of its service centers to make it easier for soldiers to call home.

Business

• Use Skype to work remotely, says Gina Trapani of Lifehacker on her Harvard Business blog. One commenter explains how he Skypes into his work computer all day to converse with coworkers.
• A handbag company is using Skype to show its wares to prospective customers.
• Preparation for job interviews and career coaching is being offered over Skype.
• First-time entrepreneurs shouldn't forget Skype to keep costs low.

Entertainment

• Michelle Pfeiffer keeps in touch with her family using Skype.
• A Baldwin brother uses Skype before departing from I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here.
• A theater group used Skype to collaborate on its latest play and hold its first read-through.

Health

• An Iraqi father and daughter being treated in the US keep in touch with family in Iraq through Skype.
• A cancer patient is able to attend his high school graduation through Skype.

Education

• A Durham University (in the UK) visiting professor from Australia isn't actually leaving Australia--she'll be using online tools including Skype to collaborate with Durham professors.
• Skype is among the tools recommended for teachers for collaborative projects.
• Two classes of middle schoolers compete in a reading challenge over Skype.
• A soldier uses Skype to answer a class's questions.

Family

• The new CEO of Best Buy watched a basketball game 'with' his sons over Skype while on a business trip.
• One American soldier uses Skype to keep in touch with family from Iraq; another got to see his newborn twins for the first time through Skype, and another his daughter's graduation.
• No more empty nest loneliness for parents who keep in close contact with their college-aged children through Skype. Here's a similar story from the student's perspective, and another similar story with some good tips.
• A weekly Skype call keeps far away grandparents in the loop.

]]> http://share.skype.com/sites/skypegear/2009/06/gear_news_roundup_13.html

A new headset? That sounds like a good idea--especially when it's the new Plantronics .Audio 655 USB Headset. It's the first headset to support Skype's SILK super wideband audio codec, which was introduced with Skype 4.0. Is the sound from the .Audio 655 SILKy smooth? Read on for my review...]]> First Impressions

The first thing I noticed about the Plantronics .Audio 655 headset is how comfortable it is to wear. It's certainly on the large side, but the big ear pads fit my head comfortably and the sides easily adjusted to fit just right. The earpads cover your ears but they don't isolate noise, so you can still hear a little bit of what's going on around you. The fit is tight enough to be comfortable but loose enough to ensure that your ears don't get too hot. They have a long cable (2m), so you have some freedom to move around, and they're quite lightweight (however they don't fold, which makes them a bit less convenient to travel with but more comfortable to wear in my opinion). Setting up the headset with Skype was a breeze--I just plugged it in and Skype immediately recognized it and automatically adjusted my mic level.

Functionality

I tested out the Plantronics .Audio 655 for over a week in my office, using it for long and short regular Skype calls, SkypeOut calls and conference calls. My longest call was over 90 minutes and headset remained comfortable the entire time--I barely noticed I was wearing it. The noise cancelling 'QuickAdjust' microphone boom comes down on the left side of your face, and very conveniently mutes itself when you push it up and out of the way. There are also volume controls on the left side of the headset, so you don't need to fumble within your computer's audio settings or Skype to adjust your volume quickly.

The Plantronics .Audio 655 is the first Skype Certified headset that supports Skype's SILK super wideband audio codec, and I could notice the difference that SILK made. The sound quality during my calls, particularly for Skype-to-Skype calls, was really good--people nearly sounded like they were in the room with me. The speakers in the .Audio 655 headset are 40mm and are of very high quality--they reproduce bass really well and never sounded tinny.

Conclusion

All in all, I thought this was a great headset. I generally prefer USB headsets over regular headsets because they bypass your computer's sound card--I find that the digital connection tends to sound better. This combined with the enhanced audio from the SILK super wideband audio codec makes the Plantronics .Audio 655 truly somethinig worth getting excited about. Hopefully we'll see more headsets taking advantage of the SILK codec soon. You can learn more about the Plantronics .Audio 655 on Plantronics's site here, and in a review on Pocket Lint here. The Plantronics .Audio 655 will be available in the Skype Shop soon.]]> http://share.skype.com/sites/skypegear/2009/05/skype_gear_roadtest_plantronic.html tag:share.skype.com,2009:/sites/skypegear//16.22661 2009-05-04T08:50:59Z 2009-05-20T16:26:27Z

Some excellent news for people who use Skype on the move on the 3 mobile network in the UK: there are now no data charges or top-up fees for either contract or pay-as-you-go customers who use Skype on 3's network. Pay-as-you-go users no longer need to top up at least £10 per month to use Skype on the go. The change is in effect for 3's current lineup of phones (including the 3 Skypephone S2 and the INQ1 phone), and by the summer Skype will be available to anyone on 3 with a compatible 3G phone, whether the phone came from 3 or not.

I'm really excited about this--3 really seems to understand the importance of being able to use Skype wherever you are. It means free calls from your mobile to other Skype users (or SkypeOut calls using your Skype credit) without having to top up your phone. If you and a friend are in the UK and both have Skype-enabled phones from 3, it's free to talk to one another forever. You can learn more about calling for free on 3 in the UK here. ]]> http://share.skype.com/sites/skypegear/2009/05/more_skype_on_3.html tag:share.skype.com,2009:/sites/skypegear//16.21591 2009-04-10T09:23:24Z 2009-04-10T10:08:52Z

Skype in the news: Skype for iPhone has been quite well received. IPEVO news: WiFi Phone for Skype gets reviewed and Desktop Phone is released. Skype CTO Dan Berg gave a talk in Wisconsin about Skype and where it's...

Andrew Brennan

Skype in the news:

• Skype for iPhone has been quite well received.
• IPEVO news: WiFi Phone for Skype gets reviewed and Desktop Phone is released.
• Skype CTO Dan Berg gave a talk in Wisconsin about Skype and where it's going.
• Journalists recommend and overcome their fear of using Skype.
• Familes continue to use Skype in interesting ways -- people are connecting with grandparents and kids and family members abroad, watching their child's birth and participating in weddings when they can't be there.
• Sienna Miller and her sister use Skype to work on their clothing line when they're apart.

]]> http://share.skype.com/sites/skypegear/2009/04/gear_news_roundup_11.html