Free in-flight phonecalls

FILED UNDER INTERNET PHONES

Weblogger Edward Vielmetti says he phoned someone on a plane using in-flight internet access and free internet telephony service Skype.

Boeing offers in-flight wireless internet access for a $30 flat rate on some flights. The caller used the built-in mic on his Powerbook to do the call, and Vielmetti says the sound quality was great. Fantastic use of Skype where cell calls are prohibited and in-flight phone service costs an arm and a leg.

Skype calls far-away computers for free

FILED UNDER INTERNET PHONES

Skype is free Internet telephony. That means long distance phonecalls. Over the Internet. For free.

Here’s what you do: Turn on your computer speakers. Connect the microphone to your computer. Download Skype (it’s free, for Mac or PC). Create a Skype account (free again). Get a friend to do the same. Call one another.** Watch your computer/telephone life irreversably change.

** Skype’ll surely work well on a fast Internet connection. But a reader reports, “Skype works even when the connection is too faint for most IM services. I was stuck in LA with a dead cellphone and a poor wifi connection. Skype saved me.”

Skype USB Phone

FILED UNDER INTERNET PHONES

Gizmodo points out the PChome Touch-1 Skype USB Handset, a phone which connects to your PC and makes calls to other Skype users (for free), or regular ‘ol phones (for cheap).

We already think Skype’s free Internet telephony is the bee’s knees, but coupled with this $22 handset, well, we’re off to give our overseas friends a call. Or two. Or ten. Cordless version planned for April.

PChome Touch-1 Skype USB Phone [ehomeupgrade.com]

PChome Touch-1 Skype USB Handset [gizmodo.com]

Skype