Recently I posted about being honored to be a Skype Ambassador.  Skype’s many features not only make it fun, but enables us to keep in touch with loved ones who happen to be thousands of miles away – it makes it seem as if we’re right there in the room with them chatting. 

Which makes it more personal than a regular old telephone call.  Plus, if you’re anything like me and tend to make gestures with your hands while talking, it’s easier to understand when I’m going off on a tangent.  Ahem.

Skype makes it easy to place video calls through their many platforms. Whether it be through a smartphone, laptop, desktop or tablet, Skype’s flexibility makes it simple to connect no matter what we are doing.  Recently I added Skype to both my tablet and my SmartPhone so I could connect on the go.

Not only is the video calling fun for everyone, but you can also connect through Skype on voice calls as well.  Either on a computer or through their mobile app, Skype to Skype calls are free.  With Skype Premium you can call landlines and cell phones nearly anywhere in the world, too.

And, as if that wasn’t enough, Instant Messaging with Skype is also easy to use too.  If I could get the hubby on board with instant messaging, we could bypass the ‘per text’ charges we currently see from our cell phone plan and send each other messages through Skype for free. 

I think the word ‘free’ might be what gets him convinced.  There is an option with Skype Premium that enables you to send SMS texts to mobile phones, too – that way no one is left out.

With Skype Premium we also like the group video calling feature. It’s simple to use and it’s fun for everyone participating – in fact, some of my friends and I decided to have a Virtual Wine Tasting Party just for fun. 

Since I wanted to make sure I was mobile at all times, I participated via my tablet vs. my laptop – that way I could take my friends along for the ride when needing refills, or if the kids needed a referee whilst playing. 

The group video calling is perfect for 3 or more people and works up to a maximum of 10.  What I like most is that you can either sign up for a full month, or simply get a day pass (like we did) to participate in a group video call.  Sort of like a pay-as-you-go type thing.

Another one of my favorite features on Skype is Screen sharing.  I’m usually the person a few select friends and family members turn to when they’re having trouble with their computer.  With Skype’s Screen Sharing mode, now I can have them ‘share’ what’s going on on their screen without me having to explain to me what they’re seeing on their screen (and me interpreting it incorrectly) as they do.  I can just see what’s going on to better help them fix the problem a lot faster.

Much easier on my sanity level.

In addition to the regular Screen Sharing, you can also take advantage of Group Screen Sharing, which gives you the option of showing people exactly what you’re talking about.  You can Screen Share a presentation over a call and stay in control, show friends and family photos without having to send them – even give gran a quick demo of how you use email, so she can start using it too. Free on one-to-one calls, or available for group calling through Skype Premium.

By purchasing Skype Credits you can take advantage of many of the premium features including those mentioned above as well as:

  • Buying an online number
  • Forward calls
  • Connect to over 200,000 WiFi hotspots worldwide using Skype WiFi

So far I’m loving the features of Skype and Skype Premium and I’m looking forward to really putting it through its paces in the upcoming weeks.  Check out this infographic from Skype about Moms and Technology. It’s interesting that 67% of moms surveyed have used Skype and that 86% have used the video calling feature:

Have you used Skype yet?  If so, have you checked out all the cool features?


 

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Note: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Skype. I received Skype credits to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.   All opinions are mine and not influenced by outside sources. See my Disclosure Policy here.

8 Comments

  1. Once I learn to uncork a bottle of wine I might consider Skype …
    Have a great weekend ~
    TTFN ~
    Marydon

  2. I have Skype do you? That’s so cool. Never thought to ask you and I have no clue why. Silly me. Oh baby girl I got the package. Haven’t tried mine yet, but I will soon. Thank you ever so much. Right now we’re getting ready for a nasty storm it looks like. Tying everything down , closing the umbrellas etc. Well, Happy Father’s day to all who is and hope your daddy & hubby has a good one. Hey how’s the adoption going? Is it final yet? woo hoo Bet you can’t wait!
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  3. I started using skype not a year back and trust me I am already a big fan!! Reason being it helps me stay connected to my husband who lives away for his work.

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