Skype to support SIP

According Mashable, Skype is to start supporting SIP, at least for corporates (no idea if it will be made available to anyone).


So Skype have decided to become less of a toy.

Speaking of toys, I've run into a very odd issue with a USB Soundcard and VOIP apps (ekiga and gizmo) on linux. While the soundcard (soundbox seems a more appropriate term) happily works with most audio apps, it's not working right with these two. Audio output gets heavily distorted - it sounds a lot like what Single Side Band shortwave transmissions sound like through normal AM reception, but with judder. Audio input doesn't seem to work at all (but again it works fine with Audacity and Sound Recorder). I can get ekiga to output OK with some weird PulseAudio routing, but that trick doesn't work at all with gizmo. It's really odd and I haven't found much mention of similar problems on the net. What I have found is usally the voip software blaming the soundcard (even though the soundcard works fine with other apps).

Finally, I finally got the upgrade to Google Voice. Unsurprisingly, it's a lot like GrandCentral, but with a googlely interface.

On Skype Vs GVoice

From the NY Times

“Skype is light years ahead in terms of video, simultaneous chat and voice, and the installed base is huge,” said Ross Sandler, an analyst with RBC Capital Markets. “I don’t think they have anything to worry about.”

Other than the whole "not making a profit" thing.

On a side note - I'm still waiting for my GrandCentral to Google Voice upgrade.