Business phone systems using are already very big business. VOIP-based communications are fast becoming the norm for everyone in business. Even without substantial investment, many companies are using software applications to make the most of VOIP (Voice/Video Over Internet Protocol). Skype has penetrated the consumer market very quietly over the last few years. Do you know anyone who is not using Skype?
Skype has excellent call quality, extended features, business services, and is moving into the education market, with Skype for teachers (it should be noted, the online English language education industry is booming, and that is thanks to Skype). Here is a look at some of the war that is going on because of VOIP between Apple and Microsoft. You might not be aware of what is going on.
• Skype First Release on Apple. It took a while for Skype to submit their application to Apple’s iPhone dictatorship. Naturally enough, the application was approved, with a small catch. Skype that ran on the iPhone would not allow calls to be made over wireless (do not confuse this with 3G wifi). Skype to Skype calls made over wireless cost nothing, especially when it is not your wifi connection you are using. A smart user of Skype, can jump from free wireless location around the world and make all the calls they want.
Buy a phone number from Skype, it is operational in seconds, and you can be calling all phones at ridiculously cheap prices. It is cheaper for me to call via my Australian Skype number to a mobile phone in Buenos Aires, than it is to use my normal mobile phone in the city! It did not take long before there were ways to get around the wireless block of Skype on the iPhone (use Fring), until action was taken against Fring, and eventually Apple dropped this ridiculous block.
• Microsoft Spends Big Cash. Skype was recently purchased by Microsoft, for a whopping 8.9 billion dollars cash. That is a huge windfall for the inventors of a small application, not long ago. Congratulations to them, and everyone who made Skype possible. Soon after Skype was purchased a newer version was released. It is interesting to note the latest version is not available on Apple.
• Facebook. Facebook, the world’s second most used website after Google, has just partnered with Skype. The latest version of Skype incorporates all of the functions of Facebook. Facebook is currently developing a new independent version of Facebook, that will not require the use of your browser for you to access Facebook, if you are running Windows 8. They are also developing a browser based version for Apple’s iOS, which, in effect, will allow users to circumvent Apple’s control over the applications available on the iPhone. This is a state of war between the operating systems – Facebook’s biggest investor is Microsoft.
• Windows 8. What is making all this possible. The new soon-to-be-released Windows 8 operating system will allow HTML5 and JavaScript applications to run natively on the operating system. That means you will not need to use to use your browser to access Facebook, it will be an application instead. An application, without being an application. To explain in very simple terms, it is like the whole operating system of Windows 8 is a browser. All existing functions will continue, and this new feature is not a replacement. On top of this, Windows 8 will run on all devices, from your smartphone, tablet, and your desktop and laptop. Finally, there will a competitor, for Apple’s iPad and iPhone available.
Apple recently released the Lion OSX, which has a few features that make it look like an iPhone. That is about it. If they don’t come up with something soon, they are about to get shut out of the market, and slaughtered by Microsoft. Business phone systems will run exclusively on Windows, and they will neglect Apple like never before.
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