OK this is great – for those that use Skype (IP phone communications) you can now dial a real phone number in the USA and Canada for free.
Some background: Skype is a software-based voice (and video!) chat system that works over the Net. With a headset and/or speakers and microphone you can chat system-to-system with anyone for free. With SkypeOut, this is extended to regular landline and mobile phones as well. So slap a headset onto your computer, get your high-speed line going (ADSL, Cable) and call someone, anyone, anywhere in Canada. Or the US. Toll free, no charge, nothing.
The caveat – the only one I see – is that this is a temporary offer and will likely only run until the end of 2006. The theory is that Skype is positioning itself even further into the VoIP (Voice over IP) vertical and getting ready to compete bigtime with other players such as Vonage. I’ve always liked Skype, and they offer more than just these services. Video conferencing and voice conferencing are easy to do and perform fairly well. Oh, and if you really want to go virtual, get SkypeIn and a phone number and say goodbye to your phone line completely.
