Posted on by Frank - Follow me on Twitter

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SHIT!  That’s the first thing I usually say when Skype drops a audio call.  Let me tell you, it happens a lot.  I’ve talked with quite a few people about Skype and a technology as useful as this has so much potential to change communication.  I think it has the potential to eliminate having phones inside your house.  No, it will not eliminate cell phones, but house phones I see as a real possibility.  However, there’s some major issues I have with the platform and why I feel the people at Skype are missing out with being a big player!

First off, in my opinion, I don’t think there’s a service out there better than Skype at the moment and even though there are VoIP services like Ventrillo, I still feel Skype has more users and reaches a larger audience.  Ventrillo is more likely to be used by online gamers.  So, with Skype being this highly used platform and so many people making calls, what are they doing wrong? First, I never see any improvements made from upgrades in their software.  As a matter of fact today I saw on Twitter someone recommending not to upgrade to the new version because there are too many bugs.  Right off the bat that tells me their software has issues and that their upgrades aren’t doing any good.  Second, the quality of the phone calls most of the time is extremely choppy and pretty much a flat out mess.  I know there are a lot of issues that go into this like the types of internet connections the users have and bandwidth limitations.  In turn they shouldn’t be false advertising on TV that Skype is this flawless product.

When you see people using it on the commercials, you get the idea that this is an amazing way to communicate with people.  Why use my phone in my house and pay to make calls when I can Skype someone for free?  That sounds like a perfect plan, but when you use the product and realize it’s quality is sub par, that’s when I say Skype has potential, but hasn’t done enough to make this technology one that people will replace their home phones with.  I’m figuring that’s not what the people at Skype are trying to do, but I believe they can make a serious play in going down the road.  Although, they have to want it.  If I was the CEO of that company I would be doing whatever it takes to make the technology within Skype the best it can be and refining issues that customers are telling me about.

Granted, they may not have the resources available to them.  In that case they either could outsource the product or find partners to help them improve the product.  I’m sure they already do things like this already.  I’m just giving my perspective of what needs to be done to make this technology one that is game changing.  I think they aren’t doing the greatest of job with interacting with their customers.  I see them participating and being active on Twitter, but they don’t follow up.  They contacted me when I had an issue, but they never finished resolving their problem.  It makes me question what they are all about and how serious they are with bringing Skype to another level.

I could be completely wrong with my assumptions and opinions and if I am, I’d really like to hear someone else’s thoughts.  Hell, I’d love to hear from Skype and what they are trying to do to improve the product.  Usually I feel I’m very good at spotting “game changers” when it comes to new technologies.  I know Skype has been around for quite a while so it’s not really “new,” but it’s participating and growing a world that is always trying to find the latest and greatest in technology.  I see something here and I hope the people at Skype do to.  You guys have the chance of eliminating house phones!  With computers in everyone’s home and usually very accessible to them, why wouldn’t people call people straight from there computer for free? Audio Skype calls are pretty solid, but they need to work on the video portion.

I’m sure users would be satisfied with moving away from their house phones with audio Skype calls because it’s easy to do.  However, I feel the “value add” in this case, if it can be improved, is the video chat calls.  At the moment the video calls give terrible echos to where you can barley hear yourself and the picture quality is choppy to.  I understand the type of microphone and camera you use plays a role, but when Skype is dropping calls at random, that’s when I ask…is this a telephone?

Do you think Skype could be a game changer?  Do you feel this piece of technology has a lot of potential as I do?  Am I wrong in everything single thing I said?  Whether or not you agree with me, tell me your stance on Skype.

Further reading:

Poor Technology Can Be A Security Risk

Will Google Voice Revolutionize Technology?

Which Cell Phone Is The Best Tech Gadget?

Are Social Networks And Technology Putting An End To Verbal Communication?

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