VoSKY announces that its PBX-to-Skype for SIP Gateway, the VoSKY SSG, is the industry’s first gateway to be certified as interoperable with Skype for SIP. Skype for SIP interoperability with the new VoSKY SSG will enable small- and medium-sized businesses to connect their legacy PBX and Key systems to Skype. This way, SMBs can maximize the functionality of their current communications system to reduce communications costs, while also enhancing their business communications by enabling over 520 million Skype registered users to call their organization for free over Skype.

Skype and Nokia jointly announce the release of Skype for Symbian. Skype for Symbian will allow Nokia smartphone users worldwide to use Skype on the move, over either a WiFi or mobile data connection (GPRS, EDGE, 3G). It is now downloadable for free from the Ovi Store, Nokia’s one-stop shop for mobile content.

Skype announces that the new Samsung LED 7000 and 8000 series models of 2010 high-definition televisions will feature embedded Skype software allowing Skype users to make video and voice calls through the TVs. Samsung, the global market leader in televisions, will begin shipping TVs with Skype software in the Korean market today, and worldwide in the first half of 2010.

The debut of Samsung’s Skype-enabled televisions reinforces Skype’s commitment to making its video and voice calling capabilities available on a full range of Internet-connected devices, including TVs. Televisions with built-in Skype software were first introduced at the International Consumer Electronics Show in January 2010.

Skype and Verizon Wireless announce a strategic relationship that will bring Skype to Verizon Wireless smartphones in March. The new Skype mobile product enhances Verizon Wireless' smartphones for users who have data plans by offering a new way to call around the globe, while also giving hundreds of millions of Skype users around the world the opportunity to communicate with friends, family and business colleagues in the United States using Verizon Wireless.

SHAPE Services announces the update of its revolutionary IM+ for Skype app for BlackBerry smartphones.The update features absolutely free Skype calls in Wi-Fi zones. The present technology carries out VoIP calls in half-duplex mode, similar to a walkie-talkie.

In addition to free VoIP calls, SHAPE Services has added the support of avatars, contact list grid, new scrollbars and other great features.

Skype has hired David Gurle as the new General Manager and Vice President of its Skype for Business unit. He replaces Stefan Oberg, who will be leaving Skype in March 2010. David brings more than 17 years of telecommunications and collaboration technology industry experience to this role. He joined Skype on January 7, 2010 and reports to Josh Silverman, Skype’s president.

Skype announces support for Skype video calls on PCs in 720p HD, as well as Skype software embedded into Internet-connected widescreen televisions from its consumer electronics manufacturer partners.

High Definition Skype Video Calling

The latest version of Skype for Windows can deliver up to 720p HD-quality video calling at 1280 x 720 resolution, at up to 30 frames per second, giving individuals an even smoother and richer video calling experience. To make an HD video call, users will need a high-speed broadband connection, a new HD webcam, a PC with a 1.8 GHz dual-core processor and Skype 4.2 Beta for Windows.

Skype is opening up the Skype for SIP beta program to allow businesses of all sizes to utilize Skype for SIP with their existing SIP-based PBX or Unified Communications systems. By using Skype for SIP, companies can save money on calls around the world, while also changing how customers globally reach them.

Skype has appointed Dr. Jonathan Rosenberg as Chief Technology Strategist, effective immediately. Reporting to Daniel Berg, Skype’s Chief Technology Officer, Rosenberg will be responsible for shaping and driving the company’s technology strategies and overall architecture to continue delivering a best-in-class Skype experience to users around the world.

eBay announced that the investor group led by Silver Lake, which had previously entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in Skype from the company, has reached a settlement agreement with Joltid Limited and Joost N.V. that gives Skype ownership over all software previously licensed from Joltid and ends all litigation currently pending against the investor group and eBay at the closing of the acquisition.

Esna Technologies has added Skype VoIP/Video support to its market leading unified communication desktop software, UC Link. As part of its ongoing goal for interoperability and Rich communication and collaboration tools, Esnatech has integrated its UC Link desktop software with Skype VoIP and Video services for enhanced real-time communication services. Users of the Esnatech Telephony Office-LinX UC platform will have their live Skype VoIP & Video status tied into existing office infrastructure and applications so other users can see if they are available or not, on their office telephone, or off the network. It will bridge the Skype VoIP/Video world with Enterprise telephony and Groupware status.

Voxbone announces that its geographically-independent number service, iNum, now supports HD calling between dozens of VoIP networks and Skype, the global leader in Internet communications.

Greatly expanding availability of emerging HD voice technology, Voxbone will transcode, or translate, between Skype's super-wideband SILK codec and the widely deployed HD codec, G.722, Voxbone announced at eComm Europe 2009.

Skype announced the selection of Net-Net OS-Enterprise session border controllers from Acme Packet for its Skype for SIP beta offering. Acme Packet is the leader in session border contro solutions and the sole SBC partner for the Skype for SIP beta program.

Skype’s deployment of Acme Packet’s SBC simplifies the interoperability and feature compatibility of the Skype for SIP beta offering with enterprise IP-PBX equipment and next-generation unified communications platforms which utilize the SIP standard. As a result, Skype for SIP will allow those enterprises with an on-premise IP PBX to take advantage of an innovative IP-enabled communications tool and to benefit from end-to-end interoperability. The implementation of an SBC by Skype as part of the Skype for SIP beta program also enables the delivery of high-quality, real-time interactive communications, while minimizing the exposure to risks for those companies who sign up for the trial.

InnerPass announces that the number of Skype users leveraging InnerPass to share and collaborate has passed 1.5 million. InnerPass is the only business application to combine meetings, Internet communications via Skype, and persistent file sharing and storage. InnerPass adoption using Skype has been doubling every 60 days and currently serves over 30,000 users a day with persistent business collaboration services.

Skype announces the beta version of Skype for SIP has been certified as interoperable with the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series for Small Business. This will enable small and medium-sized businesses who manage their networking and communications needs with this affordable UC solution to communicate more efficiently by directing their outbound calls to mobiles and landlines via Skype, while also allowing them to receive inbound calls from Skype users.