For this assignment I once again had the great privilege of working with Miss Taylor Miller and Miss Crystal Castaneda. our assignment was to examine the different aspects of using Skype on iPod touch devices. We once again used the assigned devices from the Communications Lab in order to install the application and review the different capabilities and functions of the application.
There are a few interesting things to note about the software in question. Skype is communications software. It is employed as a communications suite which puts several tools at the fingertips of the end user. In its mobile form Skype will allow you to make and receive voice calls, voice mail, text messages, and instant messaging. I assume that some video might also be employed but only as a receiving unit as the iPod touch lacks the hardware to make video calls. In its base form the iPod can also not be used to make calls. This is because of the lack of a microphone in the device. Desktop and Laptop PCs with audio and video equipment are capable of using all the capabilities of the mobile Skype in addition to video teleconferencing and file sharing.
A few notes to make are that the iPod can make and receive voice calls too and from other Skype users and normal telephones. Furthermore, the Skype client allows people to use text messaging and IM. Finally the Skpye software allows from Skype to Skype calls. Calls involved include all of the functions a normal call would have such as speaker phone, muting a call, placing people on hold, the dialpad, etc. These are all of the basic functions of the software.
As a group discussion we also talked about some of the various advantages and disadvantages of using the software. Skype didn't work because of the lack of the hardware, this makes it pretty useless in my mind. On the PC it makes perfect sense. The hardware capabilities make it very lucrative to use. While the software is free and easy to use it makes no sense on the iPod because of no microphone, this in fact made it frustrating to use. We all agreed that we would use Skype again, but only a PC where all of the functionality can be employed. Over a cell phone the software makes sense because it is free, makes free Skype to Skype calls, and charges very competitive rates about calls between other services such as real phones.
Overall using Skype was a good learning experience. I believe there are improvements that could be made, and that at this point it is impractical for use on an iPod. However, VoIP services and software have definitely made their mark on the world of telephony.
No comments:
Post a Comment