MySpace, the world's most popular social network, and Skype, the
leading Internet communications company, today announced a partnership
to empower the MySpace community with voice communications. With more
than 110 million monthly active MySpace users and 220 million
Skype(TM) registered users around the world, this partnership connects
two of the most popular communications platforms on the Internet to
create the world's largest online, voice-connected community.
The announcement unveils MySpaceIM with Skype, a new product that
integrates MySpace's popular IM client--currently the world's
fastest-growing IM platform with more than 25 million installed
users--with Skype's free, high-quality voice-calling capability. The
partnership will also enable users to link their MySpace profiles and
photos or avatars to their accounts on Skype. Both products will be
available to users starting in November.
Launching in 20 countries where MySpace has localized communities,
MySpaceIM with Skype will enable millions of users to place free Skype
Internet calls to other MySpace or Skype users. The addition of Skype
voice-calling to MySpace's instant messaging feature gives users more
ways to easily connect with friends and family around the world, and
does not require MySpace users to download any additional Skype
software.
"MySpaceIM with Skype is a truly groundbreaking product
integration and partnership," said Chris DeWolfe, co-founder and CEO
of MySpace. "Skype has the leading technology in Internet voice
communications and an enormous international user base that we're
thrilled to connect with our existing community. Our network has no
geographical boundaries--Internet calling is the natural next step for
how our members communicate with each other."
Skype is available in 28 languages and is used in almost every
country around the world. The ability for Skype users to link their
Skype accounts to their MySpace profiles will be available globally,
except in Japan, China and Taiwan. In addition to free, high-quality
Skype calling, MySpaceIM with Skype will also allow the users of the
MySpace network to optionally select Skype's premium fee-based
products, including:
-- SkypeOut(TM) - To make calls to landlines and cell phones
domestically or internationally;
-- SkypeIn(TM) - A local phone number to receive calls wherever
you are in the world from other people on landlines or cell
phones;
-- Voicemail - To take voice messages when you're busy or
offline; and
-- Call forwarding - To redirect incoming Skype calls to a
landline or cell phone.
"Both MySpace and Skype have become a part of people's lives by
bringing people closer together, no matter where they live in the
world. This partnership reiterates that Skype is the platform of
choice for Internet communications because we make it simpler and
easier for people to place free calls to one another whether they are
on Skype or within the MySpace network," said Michael Van Swaaij,
interim CEO of Skype.
MySpaceIM with Skype takes advantage of the many personal privacy
settings available to users throughout the MySpace network. Users who
have a MySpace profile set to "private" can not receive a Skype call
from someone who is not on their friends list. Users can also choose
to allow only those individuals they have affirmatively added to their
Skype personal contact list to call them. Users are empowered to block
any MySpaceIM with Skype user at any time, and with the "incoming call
window" users can pre-screen incoming callers in order to accept,
ignore, or block the call.
Financial terms of the MySpace and Skype deal were not disclosed.
About MySpace
MySpace, a unit of Fox Interactive Media Inc., is the premier
lifestyle portal for connecting with friends, discovering popular
culture, and making a positive impact on the world. By integrating web
profiles, blogs, instant messaging, e-mail, music streaming, music
videos, photo galleries, classified listings, events, groups, college
communities, and member forums, MySpace has created a connected
community. As the first ranked web domain in terms of page views(c),
MySpace is the most widely-used and highly regarded site of its kind
and is committed to providing the highest quality member experience.
MySpace will continue to innovate with new features that allow its
members to express their creativity and share their lives, both online
and off. MySpace's international network includes localized community
sites in the United States, France, Germany, Australia, Ireland,
Spain, Italy, Mexico, Switzerland, Austria, Canada, Netherlands, New
Zealand, Japan, Sweden, Latin America, Denmark, Norway, Finland and
the United Kingdom. Fox Interactive Media is a division of News Corp.
(NYSE: NWS, NWS.A; ASX:NWS, NWSLV).
*Among the top 2000 domains comScore Media Metrix, September 2007.
For more information on comScore Networks, please go to
http://www.comscore.com.
About Skype
Skype sets conversations free by providing new and easy ways to
stay in touch over the Internet. Millions of people every day make
free Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls and send instant messages
using our software. Some pay a little per minute for long-distance and
international calls to phones and mobiles and for SMS, voicemail and
call forwarding, or they buy subscriptions that give unlimited calls
nationwide. We certify and sell hundreds of hardware products from
more than 50 partners and work with third-party developers to create
software to extend Skype's functionality. Skype has been downloaded
more than half a billion times and over 220 million people from almost
every corner of the globe have registered. Make your world a smaller
place: talk, share and do more with Skype.
Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY), and you can learn more
and get Skype at www.skype.com.
Access to a broadband Internet connection is required for Skype
and all Skype Certified devices and accessories. Skype is not a
replacement for your traditional telephone service and cannot be used
for emergency calling.
Skype, SkypeIn, SkypeOut, Skype Me, Skype Certified, Skypecasts,
associated logos and the "S" symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.
