Voice-over Internet Protocol provider Skype wants to expand the kinds of devices that can use the service, CNET reported February 19.
A new version of Skype's VoIP software for personal digital assistants (PDAs) is expected over the next few months, Skype founder Niklas Zennstrom told CNET, whereas the technology is now available only to personal computers.
Skype is also reported working with cordless-phone makers to bring in devices connecting to Skype users and traditional telephony customers, CNET said.
Zennstrom, who co-wrote the software KaZaA uses, told CNET one of the top requests from his company's users was to find a way to bring PDA connectibility to the Internet through VoIP. But CNET said that could have drawbacks.
"To make VoIP calls, a PDA would need to have a broadband connection," the tech news site said. "For now, only a limited number of PDAs that have built-in Wi-Fi connections would be capable of making Skype calls."
Skype isn't the only VoIP company moving to new devices. SIPphone is planning to sell a home telephone adapter for $60 apiece in March, while Skype is now working, too, on five-way conference calling technology. Zennstrom told CNET the company expects to make it available in the next version of the Skype software package – also free.
