RTX is launching a combined SkypeT and landline phone. The new cordless phone, the DUALphone 4088, is being launched at ITEXPO in Miami.

The main benefit of the DUALphone 4088 is that it does not require the user to be physically connected to a PC to make VoIP calls. The caller can simply connect the DUALphone base station to a broadband connection and make Skype calls free of charge to other Skype users or have the choice of conventional paid-for landline calls worldwide.

At a time when the number of Skype calls is soaring, RTX says it expects the new handset to bring free and low cost calls to consumers worldwide. According to a recent report by telecom market research firm TeleGeography, cross-border Skype-to-Skype calls grew 48 percent in 2011, to 145 billion minutes.

Acrobits released its new combined Voice and Video application with SmoothFlow video technology for Apple’s iPhone.

The Voice and Video applications are available in two versions; one for the consumer market (SIP Phone) and one in a fully featured business phone application (Groundwire) with both apps loaded with features such as HD Sound, Phone book integration and Avatar Dialing. Consumers can choose from hundreds of pre-configured VoIP carriers across the world while the Groundwire business application works with both closed and open source office IP-PBX platforms such as Cisco, Avaya and Asterisk.

Since the introduction of for iPhone with video calling on New Year's Eve 2010, we've seen growing demand for a Skype app for the iPad.

The wait is over, as today we launched Skype for iPad now available for download in the iTunes App Store.

Skype for iPad is beautifully designed and optimized for the iPad. It offers the best of both worlds for users who want a larger Skype experience, on-the-go. The large iPad screen is perfect for bringing Skype video calls to life, in either landscape or portrait view, and because it is on the iPad, Skype video calls can be made at the beach, in a car or even lying on a couch.

Microsoft agreed to buy Internet phone company Technologies for $8.5 billion in cash. That's a lot of money for a firm whose business has yet to become profitable, especially if compared to the $2.6 billion (in cash and stock) that the selling side - Silver Lake et al - paid eBay for 65% of it in 2009, and the $5-$6 billion the owners had sought from other potential suitors including Google, Cisco Systems, and Facebook. The deal is subject to regulatory approval.

Microsoft plans to integrate Skype’s functions to its Xbox and Kinect game consoles, outlook email program, and Windows smartphones but will continue to support it on other software platforms.

Microsoft announces that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Microsoft will acquire , the leading Internet communications company, for $8.5 billion in cash from the investor group led by Silver Lake. The agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both Microsoft and .

The acquisition will increase the accessibility of real-time video and voice communications, bringing benefits to both consumers and enterprise users and generating significant new business and revenue opportunities. The combination will extend Skype's world-class brand and the reach of its networked platform, while enhancing Microsoft's existing portfolio of real-time communications products and services.

With 170 million connected users and over 207 billion minutes of voice and video conversations in 2010, Skype has been a pioneer in creating rich, meaningful connections among friends, families and business colleagues globally. Microsoft has a long-standing focus and investment in real-time communications across its various platforms, including Lync (which saw 30 percent revenue growth in Q3), Outlook, Messenger, Hotmail and Xbox LIVE.

announces the launch of advertising in Skype software, which will appear in the Home tab of Skype for Windows starting this week. This move represents the first time that advertising will appear in Skype, giving brands a unique opportunity to be part of the Skype experience, which has enabled millions of people around the world to do things together when they’re apart through voice and video calling, instant messaging, conferencing, and more.

Skype has partnered with leading advertising companies: Meebo in the US, Ad2One in the UK, and Ströer Interactive in Germany to sell advertising for Skype in each of their respective markets.

With 145 million average monthly connected users for the fourth quarter of 2010 and 29 million concurrent users at peak times, Skype’s reach and engaged user base makes it an attractive platform for brands to market their products. The first advertisers to sign up with Skype include: Groupon, Nokia, Universal Pictures, and Visa.

announces a strategic partnership with Citrix Systems. The partnership will enable Skype to introduce new, easy-to-use, Web and audio conferencing capabilities enabled with GoToMeeting technology from Citrix. It will help expand Skype's business offerings by providing powerful collaboration features for businesses of all sizes to set up and hold meetings. Based on Citrix's successful GoToMeeting product, Skype's new Web conferencing and audio features are expected to become available towards the end of the year.

It seems like just yesterday that we brought to your sofa with Skype-enabled HDTVs from Panasonic and Samsung. Just over a year later, we already have more ways for you to make video calls with the click of your remote control and at a great price point.

Today, Panasonic announced its expanded VIERA Cast Blu-ray disc player lineup, including the ability to make video and voice calls supported by the FREETALK Conference Camera.

Here's how it works: To access Skype through the Blu-ray Disc player, you simply click the devoted Skype button on your remote control. You can also take advantage of other Skype features including:

• Standby Mode, which allows users to personalize ring tones;
• Answering Message, which allows users to create a personalized message when away; and
• SD Voice Mail, which automatically records messages left onto an SD card.

announces a Mobile Partner Program for operators in markets with low 3G broadband penetration. The program aims to bring the Skype experience to a broad range of mobile users and will enable carriers to differentiate their offerings in a competitive market environment. This program follows the successful operator partnerships that Skype has already launched with Verizon, KDDI and Hutchison 3.

The Mobile Partner Program from Skype is a simplified operator program that utilises a purpose built client/server solution. The solution developed specifically for operators, enables use of Skype on a broad range of handsets including smartphones and feature phones. Optimised for efficient bandwidth usage, it keeps users connected with minimal impact on battery life and data usage.

Wireless and Skype announce that mobile with video will soon be available on the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network. This new version of Skype mobile from Verizon Wireless will be deeply integrated into a wide range of 4G smartphones to be available by mid-2011. With front- and rear-facing cameras, these Android-based 4G LTE smartphones will make it simple for customers to make Skype-to-Skype video calls over Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network.

Customers will be able to see and hear their friends and family when making or receiving Skype-to-Skype video calls on Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network, the fastest and most advanced 4G network in the nation. The new offer expands Skype’s video calling capabilities for millions and provides a great video experience using the speed, low-latency and quality of Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE wireless network.

has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Qik, a provider of mobile video software and services that enable individuals to capture, instantly share and preserve great moments on video from anywhere. Qik has 60 employees, and is headquartered in Redwood City, California and has an office in Moscow, Russia. The transaction is expected to close in January 2011. Terms of the acquisition will not be disclosed.

Qik was founded in 2006 and offers innovative and flexible solutions to capture and share video with anyone across mobile devices, the web, and desktop platforms. Videos can be shared in real time or stored so moments can be viewed later, allowing for video messaging, sharing and archiving. The Qik service is available on over 200 mobile phones across the Android, iPhone, Symbian, Blackberry and Windows Mobile platforms, and comes pre-loaded on a wide variety of mobile handsets through partnerships with leading handset manufacturers and carriers.

Jabra announces the expansion of its portfolio of Skype-certified products designed to offer a handsfree VoIP solution for all of life's situations – from the dorm room to the board room. Three new products join the Jabra EXTREME – FOR PC, which launched in October 2010, to offer a complete suite of products that enable multi-tasking through a simple plug & play installation process. The introduction of these new products gives Jabra a wide portfolio of VoIP-specific products on the market, providing consumers with access to a Skype-certified headset or speakerphone for their mobile lifestyle. The new portfolio of products will be shown for the first time at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week.

The rapid growth of the VoIP calling industry – , alone, has more than 560 million registered users worldwide – has fueled demand for better headset and speakerphone solutions with top-of-the-line sound quality and features. Jabra is stepping up to the challenge, putting a heavy emphasis on its line of VoIP-optimized products as communication trends indicate that consumers are turning to laptops, mobile devices, tablets and PCs to make more and more of their calls.

announces the new version of its iPhone application that brings video calling to millions of mobile users around the globe over both 3G and WiFi networks. Available to download from the Apple App Store today, the new Skype for iPhone App allows iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners to make and/or receive free Skype video calls for the first time. Users can now see their family, friends and colleagues around the world while talking to them. With approximately 25 million concurrent users logged into Skype at any given time**, the new Skype for iPhone makes it easier than ever to share moments wherever you are.

Video calling significantly enhances the user experience of Skype for iPhone, which is one of the top five free iPhone apps in 2010 according to Apple. Now, users can make and receive free Skype-to-Skype calls, call mobiles and landlines around the world at very low rates, and now share more moments together with video on Skype for iPhone.

Humanitarian workers in the most remote parts of the world will soon have a new and low-cost way to communicate with colleagues, friends, and families thanks to an unprecedented partnership between the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and .

Skype has developed a bespoke, low-bandwidth version of its software, for deployment across 120 hardship locations served by UNHCR staff members around the world. Aid workers such as these are typically separated from their families for months at a time, sometimes with very little notice, and have limited opportunities for communication. In addition, all UNHCR employees have to pay for personal calls. Thus, the UNHCR-version of Skype will provide both free and low-cost voice and video calls over the Internet even when accessed through low connectivity networks. This will enable communications for humanitarian workers in some of the world's most remote postings on the one hand, whilst lowering the cost of calling home on the other.

VoSKY has announced the launch of the VoSKY Multimedia Touchscreen Videophone, the industry's first Certified multi-functional videophone that combines multimedia capabilities including: music player, video player and digital photo frame. This affordable videophone with built-in webcam, speaker and large 7" LCD color touchscreen is optimized for free Skype-to-Skype video and voice calls.

The VoSKY Multimedia Touchscreen Videophone is an always-on device that is ready for incoming or outgoing free Skype-to-Skype video and voice calls at anytime. When users are not on a Skype call, they are able to listen to SHOUTcast Radio or view photos, local news, weather, sports scores and more through FrameChannel. In addition, users can listen to their MP3 music and watch video clips.