How would you change Skype?
By Ryan Block 
posted Jul 29th 2005 6:40PM
posted Jul 29th 2005 6:40PM
You have it, you use it, you love it—or maybe you don't. Besides the whole limited platform support thing, what would you do to change Skype for the better?
Just add video and id never stray. PLEASE add video esp. on the Mac version
Make the newer version work properly. Everytime I update to a newer version, my PC is sluggish. Then Skype crashes or it won't work. I thought it was just my PC, but it's happened on other PCs too and people have mentioned it in the skype forums. I have to go back to using the 1.2s
However, Skype works great in Linux.
Same point as 808, make it less buggy. (1.3 is more buggy than 1.2...)
make it a plugin for other software like Trillian, MSN, AIM - g0d knows we have too many little apps running all over the place anywayz.
make it free. throw in some ads or something - but make it free.
http://share.skype.com/share/products_and_services/
If you look at the 4th article you'll see that video calls are in the pipeline.
I wonder if it could be made into a cell phone - you know Skype Cellular. I am not sure how it could work but if Skype asked all of its current users to "donate" a bit of broadband bandwidth to enable voice of Skype only "cell" services to pass through it. Could be asked at signup, I suppose - "Are you willing to share x amount of bandwidth to allow voice to pass through.... for 10% of you.... "[you get the idea]
Anyway, who knows if they went cellular and they were all over Europe, Asia and US and teamed up with Apple who could make handsets and iTunes mobile ware..... DUuuuuuuDDDDDDDEEEEEEEEEEE ..... that would be tight......
Open source the protocol if it isn't already.
Build a better Mac version. Macs own.
Build a newer Linux version, and put it on more platforms (amd64 for one, ppc for another) or just give us the source, we'll compile it ourselves.
Plugins are a good idea. Let it use other messengers.
Improve the file transfer protocol so fewer transfers need to be relayed.
Improve the UI. I dunno how, but it just feels a bit clunky to me.
Have an all-you-can-call plan for inbound and outbound calls within a country.
Make the IM function faster. When I send an IM message to any family member, it almost always takes 3-7 minutes for the other end to receive it. Once the first message is received, then the lag goes away.
Palm OS Support!!!
I want it for my Treo 650.
Build in a full vonage style backend to manage calls, simulring, voicemail pbx - buy j2 or build that functionality into it + get more international local numbers!
add voice dialing support through bluetooth headsets
Support SIP.
Viseo/audio for all platforms and if they could do it as well as iChat it would be nice:) Someone got to stop this stupidity with being limited because of your platform and why not Skype!
Would be nice if the dial keys could be controlled by the numeric keys on your keyboard.
Other than that, I haven't had any problems with the Mac-version(s) and I have been using Skype on a regular basis for more or less half a year now.
Yes, cheaper headsets and handsets and better compatibility for Mac for the latter...
Integration with iSync!!
Just on basic functionality - Perhaps make it such that if you have a SkypeIn number, that would be what shows on caller IDs. Many friends, until I tell them, won't pick up the phone if they see the 000002345 or whatever it is.
Also, it would be nice to see the bypass to speaker function work. If I have my headphones plugged into my front port and my speakers into my back port, it STILL rings on the headphones. Perhaps this is more a driver/hardware issue, but it really bugs me that I can't hear it when it's plugged in (yes, I know I can buy a base phone).
Tien
Enable auto-accept of files from contacts (optional per contact)
Allow customisation of the chat/main windows (colors, backgrounds etc)
Storage of contacts in a central locatino so no matter where you sign in from, your contacts follow you.
Easy switching between internal mike and speaker to usb headset, and back again.
Allow it to work with SIP!
Make skypein work for ppc. make voice work for smartphone. integrate place shifting with video, as in from a dvr, a la slingbox. if they've got this great software that works around firewalls without a problem, which it seems like they do, it would be a good application for it. maybe it would be overextended. yeah, it probably would be, but it would still be cool
I would give Skype rocket boots and a wrist-mounted Javelin launcher. I feel this is truly what Skype lacks. Further, I think it could use some attitude, maybe some tats and a few piercings. The key is that Skype needs to come off as more "hard-core".
On a final note, I think Skype should be taller, its hard to be hardcore when you're so diminutive.
Sames as it is now but put an Apple logo on it. Then it will be flawless.
Don't put a Microsoft logo on it because then it will be anti-competitive and will crash all the time.
You could also put a Linux logo on it and it will also magically become flawless. However it will be insufferable at parties.
"Storage of contacts in a central locatino so no matter where you sign in from, your contacts follow you."
Uhh...they already have that.
Get rid of the range check errors that occur when I have my PC on for several days.
Create a plug in for MCE.
Create a plugin to music players so I can control & listen to music on my Skype buddies' PC's.
Support SIP (as others have said), like Gizmo does.
When making PC-to-Regular Phone calls Make other type of payment other than buying minutes. Maybe you can have different plans, one that lets you talk certain amount of minutes per month, one that lets you buy the minutes and one that allows you to talk all you want anywhere in the world that is. (all with the current local rates charges) P.S. Skype Rules!
I would make SkypeOut and SkypeIn free. Somehow. :P
Free voicemail, voice recording built in, lower the Skypeout price and add video.
I've never been comfortable with Skype...it being a closed system and the founders previous Kazaaz affiliation.
Been waiting for something else that is open and supports SIP.
Has anyone tried Gizmo? Seems to have all of Skype and more.
http://www.gizmoproject.com/learn-more.html
Use Gizmo!
Unless the have unlimited calls in the U.S., I really don't see the point. Vonage, Packet8, VoicePlus, BroadVoice, etc.. all offer local & international packages. I prefer to be untethered from my PC. I know there are millions of people using Skype. My gut tells me these are mostly college students and don't want to wait in line for the dorm phone.
Make a Palm version. My Treo has a crush on Skype.
I would love to have the voicemail forwarded to an email account so I don't have to have the client running to check my voicemail. I'd love to check my voicemail from school, where I can't install applications.
I agree... SIP support, allowing people with SIP devices to make calls to Skype users, and receive Skype calls without additional hardware.
Even better would be a Skype channel for Asterisk - then we could do it for ourselves! :)
Make it so one can change the voice quality. The processing and bandwidth requirements are too heavy to use it with some games. If I could reduce the voice quality in exchange for lighter processing and bandwidth demands, then I could use it!
Make it work :|
It locks up my router with the new version. I have to downgrade my firmware on my router for it to work. So I don't bother.
Add some new statuses or allow for custom status. I run a Tablet with EVDO all day, but I'm not always in a place to take a voice call. I can, however, take a chat but there is no status to indicate this.
a new logo that doesnt look like it belongs on a kid's toy wouldnt hurt either....
teamup with DivX and provide video.
Give a choice of transmit and recieve resolutions.
Future proof it to allow firewire input at TV res, DVD res and ultimatly HDTV (hey sub $1k HDTV video cammeras are only a year away).
A Drop window where you can que up files for the other party to accept (and if they are pictures show thumnails)...
...actually, everything MS Messenger can do woudl be a start. (i use skype for voice and messenger for video and file transfer simulataniously)
i want to be able to use my mobile phone as a bluetooth web-camera that works with skype. also if when someone calls me on skype my phone could ring, because im not always in the same room.
Change the freakin name.
Better tech support. And a way to remove contacts. I can't remove entries on the Mac version and their tech support won't respond to help.
Skype 1.3 is crashing all time and is also slowing my computer down. Could you fix that?
why should i pay for something that should BE FREE .
I have Skype and Gizmo Project as well. Although I am a die hard Skype fan, I'd like to see elements of Gizmo incorporated into Skype, such as
1. Display of Skype In number in the Skype Client. Gizmo does this well.
2. Gizmo provides the ability to easily record calls, and I like the music on hold (nice touch).
3. Skype could use a better GUI. The current one is out of date.
4. More presence information like when your buddy is on the phone.
Hmmmm, maybe I am not si die hard after all :)
Let me actually charge their credit cards when they want to use sky out. Very Frustrating
For whatever reason, after using SkypeOut and CallOut from Gizmo, the Gizmo recording sounded better. SIP support as everyone else states. Plus, Gizmo have a nice feature which lets you record simply by pressing one button in the application itself, something Skype sorely needs.
They need to update their site to show a US Dollar currency option, it's ridiculous that we are forced to only view and download in the Euro format.
The other thing I think would be nice is to somehow disable the caller id information so that when you use SkypeOut you do not have to explain to everyone about the weird 000 012 345 number being shown - just make it so it shows "Caller ID unavailable" or something similar.
Have a client on the Palm-Trio and especially the new line of UMTS/GSM-900/1800/1900 phones of Nokia. Like my new 6630!
Perhaps three more features:
Call fowarding - you call your SkypeIn and then punch some codes in which then allow you to call International. That might be convenient if you're not home or want to use your cell phone to talk.
Import - I have my contacts from the Smart Phone that uses Outlook. When I try to import it, it won't import the contacts unless they're signed up with Skype... even then, it won't import the actual landline number. That sucks because now I have to manually enter in each one.
Better contact UI: People often have more than one number, but the version I have doesn't allow me to add multiple numbers (or I haven't found a way easily). If there was a simple icon to click or pulldown, that'd be best.
Tien
Have a skype branded WiFi phone that could use all the current skype features. When you are not in a WiFi enabled zone, your calls could go to voice mail, and you could use skype-in too. I would really like it if the Mac version was not always so far behind the PeeCee one.
IF they are going to continue to offer voice mail, then add notifiction when a voice mail shows up, and allow retrieval through a standard phone.
Make skype out cheaper and process purcases faster. Also make the pocketpc version run smoother and use less cpu time.
the frigging thing wants all ports opened to outgoing traffic. f**k that.
'this will not make your network any less secure' they say.
'this will not make your network any less secure' MY @$$!
neg
Sell it to Vonage for $2.00 a share!
-correct caller ID for skypeout
-better display of contacts & events
-more intelligent auto-answer (auto-answer if status is available, go to answering machine if away)
-SIP
-Plugin for basic Skype functionality for Trillian, Miranda, etc
-WiFi phone (with ability to automatically use skypezones if they're avilable)
-stripped down AJAX client for when you're on the road and can't install the client.
Add PodCast Recording.
skype mobile phones ppl
sybian skype i dont know i dont care
but get it on my mobiel device so i can call other ppl for free
Add Sharp Zaurus, Palm support
intergrate with msn messenger
One thing I would like to see that the software lacks is an option that would allow me to toggle the mic by pressing a button; Like Ventrillo or TeamSpeak2. It can get annoying when you have multiple people and someone happens to have a bad mic or something annoying with thier audio and you have to be constantly hearing that.
most important to me would be the ability to update, edit, change the skype out contacts and info within skype, which is to say without having to delete and recreate contacts and without relying on another address book software
BE ABLE TO ADJUST THE VOLUME OF EACH INDIVIDUAL IN A CONFERENCE CALL.
yea. that annoys the hell out of me.
i learning english by skype
haha
Gizmo rocks Skype. www.GizmoProject.com.
Skype needs:
- Call sound effects (Gizmo Mac version)
- Call Recording (gizmo)
- Call Hold Music (gizmo)
- Call Forwarding (gizmo)
- SIP Compatibility (gizmo)
- Free voicemail (gizmo)
- Free Voicemail to Email (gizmo)
- Better Call Quality (gizmo)
- Presence - on call (gizmo)
Integrate it with all phonebooks so you could call using Yahoo messenger.
Make Skype in, Skype out, and Skype VM all work together so caller id would show your number.
Offer BT/WIFI handset for hotspots.
Forward voicemail messages to email and make Skype SIP compliant.
Add the following features:
Automatically forward voicemail messages as a file to email
Make Skype SIP compliant
- I'd love to see SMS support (both incoming and outgoing)
- correct caller ID on skypeout
Make SkypeOut calls free for not-mobile numbers as with VOIPbuster.
Make the "Invisible" option work properly on newer versions. I hate to have people see me when I connect when I do not want to.
Build in Wififofum into the software... give me a radar screen to find hotpsots, while wardriving, and allow me to login and use skype on my PDA.
Or better yet... make a PSP version with the above request.
For the uninitiated: http://www.wififofum.org
Best software for a wifi-enable PDA besides Skype.
* Open source if not the software so the protocols
* No NAT traversal. The world needs less NAT-capable software, not more.
* No bouncing off any third, unknown party.
Add support so the old software modem can be used to hookup a normal phone to the computer. No more headsets just use any software modem and be able to switch between normal landlines and skype at will.
I agree about the SIP support and I'd also like to see an ethernet or wifi phone adapter.
I looked at Gizmo but if you don't live in the US, the prices are ridiculous -- I can make cheaper calls using the regular phone network!
I'd like to have more that 5 people in a conference call. Not neccesarily unlimited (as cool as that would be) but I think, if it's doable, having 8 would be nice.
- SIP gateway
- Command line version for Server side API applications
- Better contact management
- Video (coming)
- User set Supernode limits; Can I be a supernode; max connections; max bandwidth.
- Keep Linux, Mac, PocketPC versions better in step with MS Win version
- Improve echo cancellation for people without headsets
- 3rd party peer review of security and encryption
- Make the line protocols public
- Provide a web presence service (coming)
- Make it easier to record conversations without playing your own voice back through the headphones
- Provide nativie language bindings for all the major languages rather than forcing people to use a 3rd party COM control.
- Provide API examples in all the major languages
- Build community around Skype user's interests, not just around support
- Build more standards into the profile. FOAF, hCard, - Provide a web profile service to go with the web presence service.
- Open up the ID checking and produce a Passport clone that works and is open.
I'll think of some more in a minute.
- Make it easy to archive chats and especially group chats to a web page.
- Make group chats more IRC like. Allow you to join a known group chat rather than be invited
- Remove the 50 person limit on group chats
- Raise the 5 person limit on group conference calls
- Add callto://yourname/chat to open a chat from a web link instead of a voice call.
- Provide a mechanism for 3rd parties to charge for voice calls. The equivalent of POTS premium rate numbers
- Provide a mechanism for calling premium rate POTS numbers via Skype-out
- Provide App to Skype to Skype to App API functions so Apps can use Skype as a communication mechanism
- Provide finer grained permissions on presence, profile access, calling and chat
1. Voice activate the answer button.
2. Automatically stop my iTunes music when I answer a call.
3. Allow me to group contacts and set an availability status for each group (for instance, on weekends I would like to be offline to my business contacts but available to family and friends).
I would add video so I could digipimp as good as newer hip superstars Snoop Dogg and Fittee Zent pimp in real life.
Love,
M.C.
Let me begin by saying I hate skype.
I hate having another IM open besides trillian, and no one ever calls me on the dumb thing anyway.
But what I hate most of all is the rediculously swollen size of that rediculous contact list, and the way the mac version calls people when you click on them.
I can't wait for skype to die.
Oh yah, and without SIP, it's just an interim hack anyway, someone will come out with something better and open.
For me,
Wants:
Add SMS notification of new voicemails
Bring the PPC version up in line with the XP/W2K version
Get the video service rolled out.
Likes (don't change):
Billing / prepay (easier to keep control of costs)
1.3 on Windows, very stable, like the upgraded UI and centralized contact lists
Audio cquality (especially in Skype to Skype calls)
Scrap the whole thing and just make a screen saver.
One simple request for the mac version - make it interface with the address book so I don't have to copy and paste phone numbers?
wtf is skype
A year ago today http://www.engadget.com/page/578/
That mini ipod Toshiba thing didn't happen did it?
To those who say "add video to Skype", you can download Spontania's video4skype for free, i've been using it for a few months and it works great...
http://www.video4im.com/
1) Make it stop crashing every time my screen saver kicks in
2) Make it possible to dial from Outlook's address book
3) Add Palm OS support
I'm currently an American student studying abroad in Germany. Skype's been awesome! Without Skype I wouldn't be able to call friends and family at home without spending a fortune.
Things I'd change:
- About once or twice per week one of my calls (in Skye on Mac) is randomly dropped in the middle of a conversation. However, I don't know if this is because of the network connection here or if it's a Skype problem.
- I'd like to see either Adium (http://www.adiumx.com) integrated into Skype or a Skype plug-in for Adium. As it stands now I'm probably not going to open Skype again except for pre-arranged calls to friends in Europe.
- Make it where I can buy Skype-Out credit from within the Skype application. I hate having to go through that maze of web-pages just to buy more credit.
- Make Skype show "Number Unavailable" or maybe even my name when calling landline phones with Skype. My grandma gets freaked out when wierd numbers show up. I had to have my mom call her and tell her it was me.
- Voicemail via e-mail would also be nice. Then I could get friends messages at work and set up a time for us the talk via e-mail at work for when I got home.
More compatible phones! I need a handset...
I am sure this is not a popular opinon so please don't flame me.
IMHO, I never understood Skype; it's just taking one closed PSTN network and replacing it with another VoIP network using closed protocols. Where's the competition to assure low priced services an innovation for everyone?
What about Skype for Palm
the ability to record like gizmo!
Make cheaper rates to Asia, especially Thailand which is still pretty expensive on Skype. My phone card still gets better rates.
FAX Inbound
FAX outbound
Volume control on voicemail
Would like A Push To Talk option so that bandwidth is only used when talking, actually.
Free outgoing calls
i would like it to run at a lower processor speed, so that it could run on phones like the htc wizard and such
Add volume controls for audio output and audio input (mic), as well as some level meters to show whether either is too quiet or maxing out. It's particularly hard for me to tell whether the mic is set loud enough or quiet enough, without asking the party I'm talking to.
Some have already been said before
-ALSA instead of OSS(Linux)
-More like Ventrilo/TS where you push to talk
-Be able to join other people mid-call instead of having to make a conference call (say if you were in the middle of a game)