Skype Play

Students get back to Skype when back to school

Striking out on your own for a university experience can be trying at first, but with Skype, you can keep your parents on the line while chatting up new friends from lecture.

Setting off for university - especially when you'll be far from your home town, your parents and childhood friends - is one of life's great adventures. You'll meet new friends, learn new things and share ideas - but you'll still want to keep in touch with those back home.

For video calling mom and dad, sharing your experiences with friends back home or at universities of their own - or maybe even collaborating online with the cutie next to you in lecture - you can choose Skype for quick and easy communication.

Your parents will probably be worried sending off their baby for the first time into the great wide world. And while you might think it's a bit silly, all it takes is a quick - and free - video call to let them know you're doing well... and maybe to ask to borrow a little money if you've run out.

This could especially come in handy if you're out of your home country, as Skype offers some of the cheapest international calls around.

Both internet calls and instant messaging are a great way to keep in touch with friends still in your home town or those who've chosen a different university. You can even use Skype to track down your daring friend as he treks through India on a gap year adventure.

But of course, university is all about stretching your legs, striking out on your own - and maybe you might even learn a thing or two. You can use Skype to collaborate with your new classmates or just chat with interesting people you've met at there.

If you've used Skype to make some new friends or keep in touch with old ones, share your story in our comments section!

Cinco de Mayo Skype Style

It's hard to believe that April is already over, but with May just around the corner, we're starting to get excited for Cinco de Mayo! On the fifth of May, thousands of people in the United States will celebrate the jovial holiday with delicious food and drinks, and of course friends and family.

For those who want to connect with their family and friends next Thursday, but can't physically be with them, Skype video calling is a great way to connect. With Group Video Calling, you can connect with up to nine of your long-distance loved ones on one call and celebrate together. Or, better yet, grab some good food and drinks and send your friends a "Happy Cinco de Mayo!" video message from your Qik Connect Plus application on your iPhone or Qik Video Connect for Android.

Are you connecting with friends this Cinco de Mayo via Skype or Qik? Leave a message and tell us about it.

"Virtual" Fantasy Baseball Draft with Group Video Calling

Today is Opening Day! It's the the beginning of a new Major League Baseball (MLB) season. While the real players hit the field today, fantasy baseball season has already been in full-swing, with baseball enthusiasts around the world busily drafting players for their fantasy teams. Now, they can even strategize a home run on Skype.

The game of Fantasy Baseball lets fans manage a roster of MLB players, keeping track of their scores and statistics in a friendly competition throughout the season. To pick players in the preseason, leagues must use their knowledge of players and predict who will have an outstanding season. With all this information, league members draft their picks, hope their players have a great season and let the fun begin!

To celebrate the Fantasy Baseball season and the many fantasy leagues strewn across the country, Skype partnered with popular fantasy sports site RotoWire to facilitate a "virtual" fantasy draft via video call. With the help of Skype Group Video Calling, nine baseball enthusiasts across the country were able to conduct a mock fantasy baseball-draft together. Despite the distance between them, the members were able to discuss each other's picks and get excited for the upcoming season.

To learn about RotoWire baseball expert's number-one picks this year, you can watch the first round of their draft via group video call below:

Skype invites the world to party in Dublin this St Patrick's Day

To celebrate St Patrick's Day we've set up a St Patrick's Day Skype Video Pod at the finishing post of the legendary St Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, so that those who can't travel to the Emerald Isle don't have to miss out on the fun.

If you want to join in the with the craic and soak up the Irish atmosphere then why not contact our St Patrick's Day team on Skype at skype.stpatricks.dublin and join the fun via video call. You can also arrange a group video call to include your friends and family from around the world so you can all party together in the heart of Dublin - all you'll have to supply is your own Guinness!

We have also twinned two of the biggest party capitals to allow Londoners the chance to join in on the action at a Skype Pod at the London Irish Centre, Camden open from 11am. Whether you want to share a virtual pint of Guinness and chat to friends and family back home in Dublin, or simply want to enjoy the craic with the Dublin revelers come down and experience Skype Patrick's Day.

There are three ways to join in:

• Visit the Skype Pods in person in either London or Dublin to link up with the other city to view all the action


• Pre-arrange a group video call with family and friends at the pod and everyone can celebrate together. Simply send skype.stpatricks.dublin a request via Skype and we'll help to arrange


• Send skype.stpatricks.dublin a contact request via Skype ahead of the big day and we could be video calling you back so you can join in the party from the comfort of your sofa or office desk

The London pod is located at the London Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, London, NW1 9XB and the Dublin pod will be outside St Patrick's Cathedral, Saint Patrick's Close, Dublin 8, Ireland

Happy St Patrick's Day and if you aren't already video calling, follow this link.

Image courtesy of FredMikeRudy on Flickr

Panasonic's Blu-Ray Line Up brings Skype to your Living Room

It seems like just yesterday that we brought Skype to your sofa with Skype-enabled HDTVs from Panasonic and Samsung. Just over a year later, we already have more ways for you to make video calls with the click of your remote control and at a great price point.

Today, Panasonic announced its expanded VIERA Cast Blu-ray disc player lineup, including the ability to make Skype video and voice calls supported by the FREETALK Conference Camera.

Here's how it works: To access Skype through the Blu-ray Disc player, you simply click the devoted Skype button on your remote control. You can also take advantage of other Skype features including:

• Standby Mode, which allows users to personalize ring tones;
• Answering Message, which allows users to create a personalized message when away; and
• SD Voice Mail, which automatically records messages left onto an SD card.

The line's compatibility with Skype allows users to personalize their entertainment experience to fit their lifestyle and enjoy the benefits of Skype from any HDTV.

The FREETALK camera - with wide-angle lens and beam-forming microphones - will be available in March at major retailers and online for $99.

If you have any questions on how to use Skype from your living room La-Z-Boy, feel free to comment below, or ping us on Twitter.

How is Skype making your life easier?

Life is full of little challenges. Those everyday problems that you just can't deal with on your own. Sometimes you need a bit of help, and sometimes you just need to see for yourself.

Here at Skype we've been thinking about how video calling with Skype can make your life easier, and here are a few suggestions:

• Got a job interview and need to know how to tie a tie?
• Want to impress a special someone with your skills in the kitchen?
• Got a big night out and can't decide what to wear?

We've got more than 100 million people using Skype, so make sure that the people you turn to for help are amongst them. To enjoy video calls with your friends and family, give them this link.