Dell bundles Skype calling software
Is it "Dell" or "Deal"? Last week, Dell announced it would install Google software on its PCs. This week, Dell has announced it will include Skype's Internet phone-calling software on two of its latest laptop models. For Dell, the move may add sex appeal to its high-powered but bulky XPS notebooks (ITWire, among others, describes the new gaming-ready portables as "luggables.")

It's also very likely that Dell got paid for offering up space on its machines' hard drives, since Skype is in an all-out race with rivals to achieve critical mass in voice-over-Internet-Protocol services. (Google is reportedly paying Dell $1 per installed machine). The reaction to the Skype deal on Digg, where most still don't see the big advantage of preloaded software, was muted. "Wow gee ... Thank God! That would save me the 10 second download," commented one underwhelmed reader.
Posted by Oliver Ryan 12:34 PM 0 Comments comment | Add a Comment

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Market indexes are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer LIBOR Warning: Neither BBA Enterprises Limited, nor the BBA LIBOR Contributor Banks, nor Reuters, can be held liable for any irregularity or inaccuracy of BBA LIBOR. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2012 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer The Dow Jones IndexesSM are proprietary to and distributed by Dow Jones & Company, Inc. and have been licensed for use. All content of the Dow Jones IndexesSM © 2012 is proprietary to Dow Jones & Company, Inc. Chicago Mercantile Association. The market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2012. All rights reserved. Most stock quote data provided by BATS.