How do you feel about the new ad space on Skype?

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How do you feel about the new ad space on Skype?

dvarian 48 weeks ago

Microsoft has started offering "conversation ads" based on location, age and gender that pop up beside the image of the person with whom you are skyping. According to Microsoft, these "conversation ads" will generate additional topics of conversation and generate interactivity between users. Left unsaid by Microsoft, "...and make us money." I get that nothing in life is free, but I don't really want to stare at a ad on 1/2 the screen when I'm talking to my wife or kids while they do the same. I'm thinking of switching to a different service, but I don't know, maybe I'm overreacting. What do you think, are big ads going to dissuade you from using skype, or is it time to accept that it is part of the deal?

Tags: advertising, skype, voip

Topic: Unified Communications

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jimlynch 48 weeks ago

I've given up using Skype. I use FaceTime on my iPhone, iMac or iPad instead. I did use Skype for quite a while, but FaceTime pretty much made it obsolete for me. So the ad is not really a problem for me. Go here for more info on FaceTime: http://www.apple.com/mac/facetime/

However, I can see how incredibly annoying it might be for current Skype users. Who wants to see an ad while they are having a conversation? If I was still using Skype, I'd be looking for an alternative.

Here's an article with some alternatives to Skype:

Sick of Skype? Try these 9 alternatives
http://memeburn.com/2012/03/sick-of-skype-try-these-9-alternatives/

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nchristine 48 weeks ago

While the method of displaying advertising on Skype does seem a bit "in your face", almost literally, I think it is reasonable for a company to want to monetize its products. Without a profit motive, why would companies devlop anything (assuming that a given company is a traditional, for profit entity)?

You can use the paid version of Skype and get it ad free. Or do what I do with most of my friends: use Google. Skype isn't the only game in town.

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