Skype Launches 100-Person Conferencing Feature.
Skype is launching a new feature called "Skypecast" which allows users to participate in conversations with up to 100 other Skype users.
Skype is launching a new feature called "Skypecast" which allows users to participate in conversations with up to 100 other Skype users.
Skype is used for instant messaging, free Skype to Skype calls via the Internet and low cost calls to telephones. Skype also allows text chats with up to 50 other Skype users.
Already Skype users can conduct voice calls with up to 4 or 9 other users, depending on the computer specifications in use.
The new Skypecasts will now allow 10-20 times as many people to be involved, that is, 100 users. Anyone can set up a SkypeCast and moderate it, in effect "giving the microphone" to others.
The service is now available in preview form and all Skypecasts are listed publicly on the company's Skype.com website for easy access.
Skype thinks its Skypecasts could eventually change the way people communicate over the Web, and hopes that they could become popular venues for people with similar interests and skills to meet each other and network.
A new trial version of Skype, version 2.5 Beta is now also be available, allowing users to send text messages to mobile phones for a fee usually much lower than if sending from a mobile network. It is also much easier to type and send these messages from Skype than fiddling with mobile phone keypads.
The Skype user is informed of SMS delivery status and can optionally nominate any of their own mobile cell phone numbers to receive any replies.
Skype subscribers now also have the ability to access Microsoft Outlook contacts directly through their Skype software application, and all contacts can also easily be shared with other users. 
