https://www.scmp.com/rss/41151/feed Skype is a ground-breaking voice-over-Internet-protocol application, allowing users to communicate over the internet and to place phone calls on traditional networks. It was sold to Microsoft in 2011 for US$8.5 billion. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Are you using Zoom yet?  Chances are, if you're one of the tens of millions of people currently working from home or out of school due to the coronavirus pandemic, you've quickly become familiar with the teleconferencing software. But beyond being a productivity tool, Zoom has become a place where friends are organising virtual happy hours and where families are staying in touch as the coronavirus pandemic keeps us all separated and indoors. Whatever the case may be, Zoom is... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3076925/how-zoom-became-coronavirus-lockdowns-work-home-video?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3076925/how-zoom-became-coronavirus-lockdowns-work-home-video?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2020 09:00:18 +0000 Microsoft said its contractors listen to conversations to hone voice translation features offered by Skype and its digital assistant Cortana, but only when obtaining user permission. The US technology titan defended its voice data handling in response to a report at news website Vice indicating people overheard chats on personal topics such as relationships and weight loss. “Microsoft collects voice data to provide and improve voice-enabled services like search, voice commands, dictation or... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3021896/microsoft-admits-its-workers-listen-your-skype?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3021896/microsoft-admits-its-workers-listen-your-skype?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Aug 2019 01:22:12 +0000 By Natasha Turak Microsoft and Apple are in talks with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) federal government to lift its ban on Skype and FaceTime, which have been illegal in the Gulf country for years. UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) Director General Hamad Obaid Al Mansouri confirmed the talks this week, according to local news reports, citing Microsoft and Apple’s growing investment plans in the UAE and the desire to forge closer relationships with tech companies as primary... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/2144443/microsoft-and-apple-could-get-bans-skype-and-facetime-lifted?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/2144443/microsoft-and-apple-could-get-bans-skype-and-facetime-lifted?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 May 2018 03:26:33 +0000 Have you ever wondered how today’s famous companies got their names? Because of their success, these company names are very familiar to us, but most of them have hidden meanings behind their peculiar names. LEGO, for example, is the combination of two Danish words that translate into “play well.” Business Insider tracked down the etymologies of 17 of the world’s largest and most oddly named companies. You’ll find that each of their names has a fascinating origin story. See Also: 10 of the most... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2021577/how-17-famous-companies-got-their-quirky-names?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2021577/how-17-famous-companies-got-their-quirky-names?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Sep 2016 04:15:00 +0000 A Taiwanese company has released a Skype-only smartphone which its makers hope will render landlines and traditional phone bills obsolete. The “innovatively simple” LinkTel Android phone does not require a SIM card but uses Wi-fi connectivity to allow a user to make free voice and video calls and send instant messages to other Skype users. Calls can also be made to landlines and mobiles at relatively low rates with Skype credit. “As the whole world is busy incorporating all functions into a... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1429591/taiwans-linktel-releases-skype-only-smartphone?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1429591/taiwans-linktel-releases-skype-only-smartphone?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Feb 2014 06:30:11 +0000 Microsoft has made it harder to monitor calls and chats over its Skype phone service on the mainland, said an advocacy group for freedom of expression, as the central government steps up censorship of the internet. Skype said on Monday it had ended an eight-year joint-venture with Hong Kong-based TOM Group - 51 per cent owned by billionaire Li Ka-Shing - and found a new partner on the mainland. "After careful analysis of the new Skype, we believe that Microsoft have lifted all censorship... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1367424/microsoft-makes-skype-china-harder-monitor?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1367424/microsoft-makes-skype-china-harder-monitor?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Nov 2013 20:15:30 +0000 An onslaught of companies offering voice calls and text messaging for free over the internet has forced telecommunications network operators to radically rethink their business models. Increasingly, they are giving away to customers services they have long charged them for – and China is at the forefront of this change. China Mobile, the world’s largest wireless network operator, has put its best foot forward in an effort to keep up with the times with the international launch on Monday of... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/1360169/china-mobile-goes-over-top-international-retail-expansion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/1360169/china-mobile-goes-over-top-international-retail-expansion?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Nov 2013 06:45:00 +0000 Skype, the instant messaging and online voice-and-video-call service owned by Microsoft, will be relaunched in mainland China under a new joint venture, following the end of a long-standing alliance in the market with Tom Group, the Li Ka-shing-controlled media conglomerate. Tom last week advised Skype users on the mainland, where the service has been run under the Tom-Skype venture since October 2004, that Microsoft would be taking over this online business with effect from November 24. In a... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1353906/microsofts-skype-run-under-new-joint-venture-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1353906/microsofts-skype-run-under-new-joint-venture-china?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Nov 2013 19:30:23 +0000 S Korea swears in first female president Park Geun-hye is officially headed to the Blue House as the country's first female president. Park, the daughter of a former strongman, has already faced a test over Pyongyang's recent nuclear missiles testing. But the cloud of the crisis may for the moment be far from the minds of 70,000 people expected at her inauguration, the highlights of which include a performance by rapper Psy and, later, a meeting with foreign dignitaries.   Court battle over... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1157784/talking-points?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1157784/talking-points?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 Feb 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Microsoft has announced that its recently acquired Skype service will replace its Messenger online chat service in the first quarter of next year - a move that is unlikely to surprise many tech-savvy Hongkongers. "We've got good news to share! Skype and Messenger are coming together," Skype said in a post at its website. "Millions of Messenger users will be able to reach their Messenger friends on Skype." Messenger will "retire" in all countries worldwide in the first quarter of next year, "with... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1077299/microsoft-says-skype-will-replace-messenger-online-chat-service?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1077299/microsoft-says-skype-will-replace-messenger-online-chat-service?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Nov 2012 16:00:00 +0000 We are swamped by the vast amount of entertainment around us, but isn't it time we started thinking about reading again, instead of wandering around in the virtual world all the time? There are so many ways to read and there are more benefits than we can imagine. You can read a newspaper, an online website, or even the subtitles of a television programme. If it involves text, you are reading. And all these mediums are easily accessible. The main benefits of reading are obvious. It improves your... https://www.scmp.com/article/964465/enjoy-real-words-real-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/964465/enjoy-real-words-real-world?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong entrepreneurs said it would be expensive for them to go back to long-distance telephone calls to the mainland, as Beijing looked to tighten its control of internet telephony. Wilson Shea Kai-chuen, president of the Hong Kong Small and Medium Enterprises Association, said his company used to pay more than HK$20,000 a month for calls to the mainland. Since adopting voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technologies for calls and videoconferences though the internet, the company now... https://www.scmp.com/article/734361/smes-brace-end-internet-phone-era?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/734361/smes-brace-end-internet-phone-era?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Dec 2010 16:00:00 +0000 Over the past two years, internet video has been a 'lean forward' experience - about watching short clips on community sharing sites such as YouTube. Increasingly, however, content creators are making longer format videos meant for viewing on a television, or a traditional 'lean back' experience. Several factors are driving the trend. First is the proliferation of high-definition flat-panel displays. This is what the industry calls 'installed base'. For years now, television makers have been... https://www.scmp.com/article/623356/lean-back-and-enjoy-video-experience?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/623356/lean-back-and-enjoy-video-experience?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:00:00 +0000 A few years ago, I tried Skype and the experience was terrible. The voice quality was dreadful and the connection constantly failed. People now tell me Skype has changed. Is it really better? Will it save me money? Is it safe? Joanna, Wan Chai DQ: In the past, I would have agreed with you about Skype. But a little over a year ago, a good friend moved back to Britain and asked me to try the peer-to-peer internet telephony service again. I was surprised to find it worked wonderfully - ... https://www.scmp.com/article/609720/digi-quest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/609720/digi-quest?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Sep 2007 16:00:00 +0000 Skype, one of the world's largest voice-over-internet protocol service providers, has implemented a 39 HK cents connection fee per call for all outgoing international calls. Skype's move comes as Hong Kong-listed telecommunications company e-Kong Group launches a free mainland-call offer for its software-based ZoiPPE telephone service to cover the Lunar New Year period as a prelude to introducing its service globally. Skype and its internet-based rivals use software that enables a computer to... https://www.scmp.com/article/581835/e-kong-looks-benefit-skype-adds-fee?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/581835/e-kong-looks-benefit-skype-adds-fee?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Feb 2007 16:00:00 +0000 Skype, one of the world's largest voice-over-internet protocol service providers, has implemented a 39 HK cents connection fee per call for all outgoing international calls. Skype's move comes as Hong Kong-listed telecommunications company e-Kong Group launches a free mainland-call offer for its software-based ZoiPPE telephone service to cover the Lunar New Year period as a prelude to introducing its service globally. Skype and its internet-based rivals use software that enables a computer... https://www.scmp.com/article/581792/e-kong-looks-benefit-skype-adds-fee?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/581792/e-kong-looks-benefit-skype-adds-fee?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Feb 2007 16:00:00 +0000 People in Hong Kong love Skype, the innovative service that allows free voice over IP (VOIP) phone calls around the world. If you need proof, head to any computer mall and you'll find almost every shop is selling dozens of different models of Skype-capable handsets and phones. But what if you can't bear to part with your life-size fire-breathing Godzilla phone? Do you have to relegate your illuminated Hello Kitty phone to a dusty corner of the closet? Not any more. Canadian company Merconnet... https://www.scmp.com/article/579933/good-call?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/579933/good-call?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Jan 2007 16:00:00 +0000 People in Hong Kong love Skype, the innovative service that allows free voice over IP (VOIP) phone calls around the world. If you need proof, head to any computer mall and you'll find almost every shop is selling dozens of different models of Skype-capable handsets and phones. But what if you can't bear to part with your life-size fire-breathing Godzilla phone? Do you have to relegate your illuminated Hello Kitty phone to a dusty corner of the closet? Not any more. Canadian company Merconnet... https://www.scmp.com/article/579928/good-call?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/579928/good-call?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Jan 2007 16:00:00 +0000 Combine the expertise from conferencing systems leader Polycom and internet communications specialist Skype and the result is the Polycom Communicator. The portable, Universal Serial Bus-based speakerphone delivers hands-free, two-way voice communication for Skype video and voice conversations without echoes or feedback. The Polycom Communicator also doubles as a high-fidelity speaker for playing audio or games from a laptop or desktop personal computer. The device was designed to complement the... https://www.scmp.com/article/547950/double-duty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/547950/double-duty?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 May 2006 16:00:00 +0000 Tom Online has teamed up with Luxembourg-based voice over internet protocol (VoIP) software developer Skype in a joint venture to explore business opportunities in China. Tom, which provides mobile value-added services in China, holds 51 per cent of the venture, with Skype holding the remainder. No terms of the deal were available. It is Skype's first joint venture with Tom since the two formed a partnership last year. 'China is a big market so Skype needs a partner to explore the... https://www.scmp.com/article/515097/tom-and-skype-form-china-joint-venture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/515097/tom-and-skype-form-china-joint-venture?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Sep 2005 16:00:00 +0000