http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/call-phones-from-gmail.html
The title and article in the OP is not really clear, but in one swift kick, google has killed Skype.
Unlimited calling in the US/Canada for free.
Skype has already responded with a direct attack on Google.
The Google announcement came as a surprise, and would be a clear attack on the Skype service.
In what would best be termed a retaliatory announcement, approximately two hours after Google issued their press release, Skype announced a new email service, SMAIL (S[kype]Mail), which, according to their announcement "will be entirely free and which will be closely integrated with the premium Ask search engine, offering a paradigm changing way for users to get and use email. We also plan to introduce an integrated mapping engine to SMAIL. At Skype, we have always believed true innovation comes from thinking outside the box, and with our new email service we think you will begin to see the fruits of that way of thinking."
Skype expects to begin offering a beta version of their service within the next few months.
That is the weakest retaliatory response I've ever seen. Skype: "We charge for calls, but heres free email!" to Googles "We offer free calling to any US/canada phone, and we've been providing the best email service since 2003!"
Should be noted that calls are only free in 2010, which amount to about 4 months before they take a look at their competition and decide to start charging/not.
.jpg)
Posts
