Comments on: KISS: Keep It Simple, Skype

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 23:46:32 +0000

Peter, you can buy Skype enabled phones now, so you no longer need to have your computer “on” to receive calls. You can also set-up a voicemail for 15$/year! Call forwarding etc… I am sure it’s just around the corner… as for me, I had more + then – when I switched over from my VoIP system with Skype so the decision was self-evident.

Skype is relying on “word of mouth” which is far cheaper then Vonage “plaster name everywhere with a blank space” approach. Either way, we (the consumer) win as the monopoly that has existed for almost 100 years is finally becoming extinct like the RIAA :-)

Jon

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 17:39:10 +0000

I’m waiting for skype to add all the cool features like vonage does. Such as emailing me my voicemail, call forwarding, and the coolest feature… simulring.
When a call comes in, it rings my mobile phone at the same time. This way, I’m always “in the office” :)

For $15/month vonage isn’t bad, but I hope skype makes the pricing a little more competitive.

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 16:28:54 +0000

the problem is that no one knows about Skype. So Vonage sucks out because they’re charging a lot for an average product. Skype is charging almost nothing for an average product. If Skype became more well known, they’d get a much larger customer base than the 208 million WORLDWIDE. I mean the shear amount of people who call international would make Skype lots more profitable. Which brings the question, how do Skype’s profits/money scheme look? I know Vonage has been taking some hits, but Skype is pretty lowkey, low cost, so how is their monetary outlook going?

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 16:25:55 +0000

Vonage is also loosing a crap load of money… they have decided to follow the M$ business model… create a loss leader and one day it will magically turn a profit… only problem is, Vonage only has only one product ;-)

I don’t believe that VoIP needs ANY advertising, the more they market it, the more people will switch to FREE systems instead of going to the intended “payed” options advertised. Why pay extra for something which you can get for free (or a fraction the price with Skype credits)?

Jon

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 15:57:23 +0000

A B&M store really needs to start marketing Skype along with products like these. I see so much potential for the home market with products like this, especially for international or long distance markets, but I don’t see VoIP companies really trying to market that.

I just see Vonage having really dumb (if slightly humorous) commercials that don’t really relate why VoIP is such a great deal for you… I suppose they’re marketing VoIP to the hip/cool crowd, but those are people who live on their cell phones and don’t buy/own land-locked phones. They should focus a little more on the trendy but older crowd who know a good deal when they see one and aren’t scared to take a step forward and trying something new.

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 15:55:59 +0000

Now that I am use to headphones with a built-in mic… going back to a phone just doesn’t seem natural to me anymore. The only problem since the headphones is that my shoulders don’t have a job anymore should I need to muti-task while talking on the phone :-(

I guess everything comes at a cost… except SKYPE!

Jon