Skype to Launch Domestic Call Pricings

Skype, a famous Internet phone service, have stated that it will be introducing new plans for domestic calls in 24 countries, including France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Spain, and the United Kingdom. What is exciting about the new plan, Skype Pro, will be that the users will be paying a monthly subscription along with a connection fee, but will not be charged at a per-minute basis. An executive of Skype have stated that the monthly pricing will be less than $6.50 USD, but that this is a mere estimate and nothing has yet been finalized. Stefan Oberg, a GM for Skype Telecoms added that the connection fee will be 5 cents in a case where a user calls a domestic numbered mobile phone.
Skype Pro is also said to offer free voice mail which costs $19.40 per year as of. Not only that, but it is said that subscribers will also be given a discount on a “SkypeIn” number, which currently costs $38.80.
With the launch of Skype Pro, Skype have also said that it will be reducing the current per-minute international rates to 2.2 cents for calls to so far, eight countries, which include the United States along with Malaysia and Czech Republic.

Nokia Electronics launches the new Nokia N800-the internet tablet

The new Nokia N800, unveiled at CES in Las Vegas, is Nokia’s successor to the 770, Nokia’s first go at an Internet Tablet. The Linux powered N800 is aimed at users that are looking for connectivity from almost anywhere or anyplace.The Nokia N800 Internet Tablet already appeared in stores over the weekend.

The Nokia N800 promises faster performance, full screen finger QWERTY keyboard, easier continuous connections through Wi Fi or via Bluetooth phone, integrated web camera as well as a new elegant design. Like its predecessor, the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet is based on Nokia’s desktop Linux based Operating System. Nokia also announced a partnership with Skype for the N800. Skype for the N800 is expected to be available in the first half of 2007.

The screen has a nice large and bright widescreen display (800×480 resolution) and offers a full width on-screen QWERTY finger keyboard for quick and easy text input. Other features include 128MB RAM, 2 card slots, stereo speakers, UPnP architecture, media player, Opera 8 browser and Flash 7 support.The Nokia N800 measures 75×144x13 (/18) mm and weighs 206g.
The new device allows users to connect to the Internet through a home WiFi network (802.11b/e/g), or use Bluetooth v2.0 to connect via a mobile phone. The N800 Tablet is capable of VoIP calls with video over the Internet thanks to its built-in webcam. The N800 also supports instant messaging and email as well as offers full stereo media support. N800 with the video streaming and GPS capabilities uses a wireless router and is able to play video streamed from a PC and act as a remote control to control video played on another device.

The N800 which weighs 206g (7.3oz), is a tad more than the 770’s 189g (6.7oz), and measures 144mm x 75mm x 13mm (5.7″ x 3.0″ x 0.5″). The device’s battery should provide up to 10 days of standby or 3 hours of Internet browsing according to Nokia. Nokia state that the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet should be available right away in the US and select markets throughout Europe. It will retail for US$399/399EUR. “As the Internet becomes an ever more integral part of daily life, Nokia N800 has been designed to offer quick and convenient access to your favorite Internet services regardless of location,” said Ari Virtanen, Vice President, Convergence Products, Multimedia, Nokia. “The Nokia N800 takes our offering to the next level combining speed, performance and mobility into a stylish, compact design.” In addition to adding Skype functionality, Nokia also will partner with RealNetworks to support the company’s Rhapsody music service.