SpeedDial for Skype

NHANDZ has released SpeedDial for Skype, which works with the popular VOIP service, Skype (owned by eBay), allowing users to use Skype remotely, away from their Macs. SpeedDial lets consumers create keyboard shortcuts or "hotkeys" for making, answering and hanging up calls using only a keyboard. SpeedDial offers built-in speed dial settings for answering and hanging up calls, and a simple interface to automatically create speed dials for anyone on their Skype contact list or to add new speed dial contacts. The softwre is available for Mac OS X 10.2 or later and costs $7. A 30-day free trial is available as well.

SpeedDial for Skype is the latest VOIP offering by NHANDZ, promoting remote/mobile use of Skype while in the home, following previous Mac OS X and Windows PC releases of Speakables for Skype voice recognition software.

"SpeedDial is a terrific addition to wireless keyboards and headsets, speakerphones and iSight - basically gadgets that everyone already uses," says Benjamin Factor, Marketing Manager of NHANDZ. "It provides a lot more freedom since you don’t even have to be in view of your monitor, you can roam as far as your wireless devices will allow. Why would anyone want to be stuck in front of their computer when they don’t have to be?"

For users who have connected their Macs to their (big screen) TVs to use the TV both as a TV screen and monitor, they can still continue to make and receive Skype calls without having to switch back from TV viewing. Using a wireless headset and keyboard, for instance, Skype will announce incoming calls and users can take and make calls, seamlessly.

"Most Mac/TV users split the audio between computer speakers and their TV audio output so they are still notified of an incoming call even if they don’t have their TV in computer mode. And with Skype's spoken Events preferences set, you can actually hear who's calling," adds Factor. "Even if someone else is using the Mac, you can still make and receive Skype calls in your bedroom, living room, bathroom or outdoors, and still have privacy."

The company's software solutions like SpeedDial and Speakables are being released in advance of a handheld wireless (thumb) keyboard with integrated mouse, (NControl, that the company plans to release later this year. NControl will permit even greater freedom to consumers, who will then not be limited by larger and less mobile standard wireless keyboards.

"Think of a Blackberry-like device to control your computer and that's NControl," says Factor. "This really is THE killer app of the digital home - the combination of a handheld keyboard that can provide the convenience of using simple hotkeys (SpeedDial) or voice (Speakables) to control a Mac/PC."

by MacNN Staff