Skype Now Has Call Forwarding
Michael Arrington
12 comments »
Skype (previous profile) released a new beta version - 1.4.0.45 - of their client today.
There are a bunch of new features (all are listed below), but there is one that really interesting feature that in my opinion changes the whole VOIP game. Skype now has a true call forwarding feature, allowing you to forward Skype calls to any normal phone, even when you are offline Skype.
I hadn’t picked up on this until I read a great Skype blog called Jan in Malaysia a few minutes ago. Call forwarding in an of itself is not new for Skype - Jyve has had a call forwarding feature in their Skype add-on for some time.
However, with Jyve, you had to be logged in to Skype for calls to forward. It was a necessary limitation (out of Jyve’s control), but when I’m logged into Skype I don’t need calls forwarded. It’s when I’m logged out and away from my computer that I want this.
So when I saw this I got pretty excited. But it is not clear from the Skype download page or their FAQs whether or not you had to be logged in for call forwarding to work.
So I tested it. Jan and I each called eachother when we were logged off, and Skype dutifully forwarded the calls to our cell phones. Perfect!
Under advanced settings, you can actually set three separate forwarding numbers, and each will ring in the order you set. When you are offline, a special icon appears letting people know they can call you and it will forward to a normal phone.
Here are all of the new features:
What are the new Skype features [in Skype for Windows 1.4 Beta]?
1.Call Forwarding – You can set your Skype client to forward to 1 or multiple PSTN numbers simultaneously, or to another Skype name.
2.Peronalise Skype – You can choose from a wide selection of sounds, ringtones and pictures to customize your Skype experience!
3.Improved Search and Add a Contact functions — cleaner, more intuitive features and layout… and smarter results!
4.Friendlier Getting Started & Import Contact Wizards & visual setup guides & dynamic tooltips — make getting started even easier!
5.One-click calls from any website with Outlook and IE toolbars
6.Improved Voice Quality
7.New Skype sounds!
Before I comment on Skype let me just compliment Techcrunch on a SUPERB BLOG. Excellent writing and real visionary thinking.
RE: Skype. There’s a big caveat working with Skype and that’s paying for their services and customer support. I paid for both the Skype Out and Skype In services. Excellent value for a good connection. On Aug.29th I attempted to renew my subscription to the Skype In service. Tried 2 times with 2 different and valid credit cards. They gave me 2 automated replies telling me that the transaction was not valid. I then went to my CC company’s online site to see that the charge on one of the cards was indeed there. It’s IMPOSSIBLE to speak to a human. It’s Sept 1st and my Skype IN plus my local # is cancelled. I’m not the lone ranger. Their forum has many other similar complaints. I am a small business owner and I am very cautious about writing anything negative until I give a company time to rectify the situation. Unfortunately, Skype does not understand the value of a life long customer. I certainly will comment again if someone from Skype rectifies the situation.
Again, tnx for a great blog.
Len Charnoff
Call forwarding seems to add the answering machine to Skype. Forward to your home phone or to IPKall number to have messages left for you to hear in your email. Just got Skype yesterday.
Call forwarding is the most important feature for me, on Skype.
Too bad ‘Yahoo! Messenger with Voice’ that doesn’t have call forwarding, though its much cheaper than Skype.
i am not sure how to forward my skype calls to my cell…please help
It is a very useful message. Getting the call via skype forwarded to a pstn when we are offline. Well, Is there a way to deal the opposite kind of situation? That is the call forwarded from a PSTN/VOIP service to Skype? Now Skype gives unlimited free calling to any PSTN number in USA and Canada. If this works we can rout the call via skype for free. Any comment is appreciated.
sure, it’s called skypein. you pay for a number and when anyone calls it, your skype rings. if you are logged out and have forwarding turned on it will ring the forwarded number. you can use this to call internationally at skype rates from any phone. to a single number per skype account. however, many people calling internationally only have one number they call. works for me.
I just have a question regarding call forwarding. If i set my US-based SkypeIn # forwarded to a mobile outside of US, will the caller still be charged a call to US or a call to the location outside of US? Any comment is greatly appreciated.
I get a busy signal with my new Skype #, regardless of preferencess setting or sign in/out status. Paid for everything, no reply from support.
To be clear, I can call out, but no incoming calls work or will forward.
Yesterday SkypeIn worked! Skype support did contact me via email, and the service seems to operate as advertised.
Thanks Skype!