March 13, 2008

Could Spitzer Scandal Take Skype Video Mainstream?

Duncan Riley

15 comments »

skype_logo.jpgWhile Eliot Spitzer’s predilection for hookers (sorry, high priced call-girls) has made headlines worldwide, video over Skype may end up as a beneficiary.

Marked as a first for national TV, CNN used Skype Video to conduct a live interview Monday. According to Reuters, CNN interviewed Jeffrey Toobin, who went to Harvard Law School with Spitzer, via Skype from Maui.

The report says that Toobin used a laptop computer and webcam borrowed from the business centre of the hotel where he and his family were staying. The interview was featured in CNN’s prime-time political programming, and Toobin took part in a discussion on Anderson Cooper 360, all via Skype Video.

Skype has long been used for IM and voice calls, but its still relatively new video feature hasn’t taken off in a similar way. With CNN being able to use Skype Video to conduct interviews and live appearances, Skype may now get a boost as a strong video alternative to existing video conferencing tools and companies.

On a related note, the hooker behind the Spitzer scandal sells music on Amie Street. 89c buys the rather ironically named Unspoken Words album with the feature single What We Want.

Update: Amie Street has added a new song “Move ya body” to the playlist. If you want to hear a famous hooker sing get in quick, the album was 29c 12 hours ago, it’s now up to $1.16. Your slice of New York history :-)

  • Sphere It

Trackbacks/Pings (Trackback URL)

  1. Community Guy, Jake McKee - Rapid Fire - Saturday, March 15

Comments

RSS feed for comments on this post.

  1. Morgan

    First I thought you meant using Skype as a more secure channel for acquiring the services of a prostitute— I was totally in. But the interview’s cool too.

    By the way, I hope Spitz makes time before Monday to pardon every John and every prostitute he so eagerly prosecuted as Attorney General. What a turd.

  2. Sheraz Mahmood

    I acctually caught this when they aired it and I couldnt tell it was over skype or even streaming video until they pointed it out at the bottom of the screen.

  3. Mitch

    Duncan: “here” should = “hear”

  4. mike

    Interestingly no mention of the online Oprah show that just started using Skype. She’s become a total convert.

  5. Eliot Spitzer

    Don’t forget her myspace page http://profile.myspace.com/ind.....D=69041220

  6. Elder

    I really like how this “conversation” combines relevant comments on the technical and business issues involving video skype with discussions of the About to Be Ex-Governor’s Woes. TC works well for this one.

  7. Mike

    Ahh Mr. Spitzer. What have you done?

    A group card has been created for Eliot. Stop by and leave a personal message!

    http://www.squidnote.com/c/_XccnB_8uzO

  8. John B

    I don’t use video often, but when I do I use Skype - it’s the only app that I’ve found that 1) lots of people have, and 2) allows video calls between a Mac & a PC.

    MSN may do this too, I’m not sure, but since I generally use Adium on the Mac and Trillian on the PC that’s a no-go.

  9. Harry Wang

    Wow, I sense a bit of hostility toward the girl in your write-up Duncan. What gives? You writing from the Bible Belt or something?

  10. tim

    I think this is the first story I’ve read on techcrunch in which the word “hooker” appears at least 3 times.

  11. Sam

    I use Skype Video whenever I want to talk to someone that doesn’t have iChat. They make different tradeoffs with the codec (heavily favoring static vs dynamic scenes) but its still a good experience.

  12. Hey Jude

    I think the politically correct term for hooker is entertainment worker…..

  13. Mike

    I had to wonder if I was on Valleywag or Cnet when reading this story between the disjointed, irrelevant, though scintillating, content and the salacious headline. Nice job.

  14. Miracle Blade

    It’s good exposure for Skype Video.