New Skype “How To” video on Extras
Skype have released a cool short video explaining the advantages of Extras for a Skype user. This is part of the “How To” range of videos.
Watch it here: http://shop.skype.com/know-how/videos/extras
Articles tagged with ‘extras’
Add-ons back in Skype shop
Recently Skype upgraded their shop platform. This upgrade was done in phases and the initial launch in USA did not include the many interesting Skype add-on applications (called extras).
Now Skype have completed the renovation and put the new catalogue live. There are now a total of four application categories:
- Business Extras
- Collaboration Extras
- Expression Extras
- Productivity Extras
Of our products the following are listed:
- Business: PamFax (Windows & Mac)
- Productivity: Pamela for Skype (currently not yet all editions)
- Expression: RichMoodEditor for Skype
Link to the page: http://shop.skype.com/extras
No Skype Extras System anymore
Skype has just announced today that the Skype Extras System will not continue. This means no more third-party applications for Skype will be certified and no new extras will be added to the “Tools” -> “Extras” menu in the Skype client. All existing entries will not be removed until the certification period expires. This does not include the Skype Public API which allows third party software to connect to Skype and control some functions and do things like call recording etc. Skype says this API will be maintained in future.
But this shut-down also includes the Skype Credit payment, which will be switched off shortly. No third-party software will then be able to accept Skype Credit payments.
So how does this affect Scendix/PamConsult products? The simple answer is: not very much.
PamFax 2.0 on track for release
Just want to post a quick update on where we are with the new PamFax 2.0 release. As mentioned earlier this is a major update with the following changes.
- Support (finally) for Macintosh
- Fax-In as part of the new Pro Plan covering 27 countries
- Complete redesigned PamFax application user interface for easier fax submission and managment
- New portal design
- Multi document sending
- Also works without Skype Extras Manager (Skype Credit then not supported)
- Country upgrades to cheaper zones
- Significant page price drop
We are on track for a tentative lauch on April 27.
For existing users it is important to know that we will allow existing PamFax Pro subscribers to upgrade to the new plan which includes a fax-in number from one of the 27 countries. As soon as we release PamFax 2.0 all 1.0 users will be upgraded automatically at next application start. Obviously the new page rates will apply to existing credit balances.
Attached two screenshots of what the new application looks like.
Updates for Pamela and Call Recorder released
We released new Pamela for Skype and Pamela Call Recorder updates.
In Pamela several things were fixed like a bug when recording conference calls which resulted in the recording stopping when you added a person to the conference. We also fixed the call transfer feature which was broken in 4.5.0.96. A potential crash situation after finishing a call recording was also implemented.
In addition we decided to auto upgrade the entire Pamela user base to the new version. So all users who are still using an older Pamela version will receive an automatic update notification when they start Pamela.
In Pamela Call Recorder we also fixed the conference call bug and an issue related to settings not being saved as well as some minor things. The released version is 4.5.0.50 and is available from www.pamcorder.com. The new version has an improved installation routine which now will also allow starting the call recorder from the Skype Tools, Do More menu (requirement is that Skype Extras Manager is installed).
We activated the auto update for Pamela Call Recorder as well as we think the new version has several important fixes. People starting Pamela Call Recorder with an olderversion number then 4.5.0.49 will receive an automatic update notification.
Lower standard rates, new pricing models and update released
Due to the significant growth in PamFax revenue we are able to lower the standard “Pay As You Go” by 17%. This means the page price has dropped from €0,17 to €0,14 per page. The other zones where lowered accordingly. The new rates make PamFax the most attractive “no strings attached” fax sending platform.
Based on users feedback we have added two new fax plans. Next to “Pay As You Go” we intorduced “PamFax Professional Plan” and pre-paid packs.
The new plan “PamFax Professional Plan” provides a 35% discount on the standard rates for only €2,95 per month. Ideal for companies sending faxes regularly and who want to save significantly. The page price starts at €0,09 for zone1.
Packs are pre-paid and start at €30 up to €1.000. The discount on the standard page price starts with 5% when buying €30 credit and goes up to 40% when buying €1.000 credit. Ideal when you need to send a bulk fax or plan to send many faxes at once or in a short timeframe. Note that, unlike with our competitors, purchased packs do not expire within a month.
The plan and packs can be purchased at the new PamFax shop located at www.pamfax.biz/shop.
With the three fax sending options (Pay As You Go, PamFax Professional Plan and the packs), everyone can save substantially when using PamFax. Start with “Pay As You Go” and then you may consider to purchase the plan or a pack. In any case we want to offer the best and easiest faxing platform and the most attractive rates.
Please send in any feedback regarding above plans and how we can help you be more efficient and productive.
In the light of the above new offers we released a new server and client update. The big change in the new client is the improved startup speed. We had some complaints from users where the startup time of the PamFax application was very long, too long. So we changed that and the new .34 client build will startup a lot faster.
Until Skype release the new version in the extras gallery the update needs to be done manually by downloading and running the setup from www.pamfax.biz. Once Skype have published the new version the update will be automatic when you next start the PamFax application.
We hope you enjoy using our service and as always appreciate your feedback. Stay tuned for more cool stuff soon!
PamFax server and local application updated
Yesterday we released a server update and this time the local PamFax application is updated too. The application is available as download from www.pamfax.biz and will be made automatic for all users as soon as Skype release the new build to the Extras Gallery.
Changelog of 1.0.51.33 (.51=Server, .33=Client)
- Client: Implemented workaround where on some systems PamFax registry settings where missing
- Client: Updated scanner driver
- Client: Scanned documents are now saved as PDF instead of TIFF
- Server: International numbers are corrected if PamFax notices that they are obviously wrong (i.e. a “0″ after +49 for German numbers is removed automatically)
- Server: Show warning if fax is higher priced because it is a slow number, mobile or a service number
- Server: Updated cover templates and added a blank one so you can also just send a written text as fax
- Server: PamFax shows “Recommend to a friend” page automatically
- Client+Server: Improved starting/connecting behaviour
If you want to update the PamFax client because you have regular connection timeouts on first start (Skype bug) or want better scanner support just download PamFax build 33 and run the installer which will update your PamFax to the latest version.
Stay tuned for more cool stuff enhancing your PamFax experience soon. We are super happy with PamFax performance and the feedback we receive from users is exceptionally good. So keep the feedback coming!
More PamFax features available!
We released a new server update and this time also an update for the local PamFax Extra application (available in Skype under Tools, Do More).
The highlights of the update are:
- Redesigned first page in PamFax application for easier start.
- Resend fax option added to portal. This is nice as it allows you to resend failed faxes easily.
- Added more conversion server power.
- If a document can not be converted to PDF due to issues in the document, there is now a gracious refund process.
- Fixed a Vista UAC issue when Skype is started by PamFax after installing PamFax.
Besides the above we also did the normal set of minor bug fixing and improvements here and there.
Some screenshots:
Your PamFax application will be auto-updated once Skype have released the new version to the Skype Extras Gallery.
Very soon we will be posting about another cool new function we will be adding. This time it will be about integration of PamFax in Facebook, Salesforce.com and in the Vista SideBar. Stay tuned!
PamFax user base growing fast
Two days ago we reached the 21.000 user mark. This means a stellar growth of the PamFax user base and shows that there is a huge demand for B2B services in Skype. We are currently adding more then a 1.000 new users per week and this number is also growing strongly. We have added Amazon and direct PayPal payments to PamFax which have made the service even more attractive.
In addition the latest PamFax version increases the number of ways you can submit a fax. In the past this was only possible in the client directly and via Microsoft Office. Now you can also print your document to PamFax from any application.
Our next step is to get PamFax officially Skype certified and get it listed as Skype Premium Extra. This means that PamFax will be much more easily accessable from the Skype menu Tools, Do More.
Two things people ask for most are Fax-In capability and Mac version. We are looking at how to offer Fax-In as a subscription and will post an update here as soon as there is some news. A Mac version would be really cool, but the main limitation here is that the Skype Extras Manager subsystem which hosts PamFax is not available on Mac. This is the module that also does the payment with Skype Credit. We are looking at alternative ways.
Please keep the feedback coming and should you have issues please take a look at the forum (which has had a major overhaul): www.pamfax.biz/forum.
PamFax updated
PamFax was updated to version 1.0.44.30. There are some very exciting new features available like PayPal payment option to pay your faxes directly with PayPal. But the whole processing in the backend was improved and should be much smoother now. Plus we have made several improvements like the much better Microsoft Office toolbar button, the much better PamFax printer driver, …
Just download the updated installer from pamfax.biz. The download from the Skype Extras Gallery will be updated in the next days by Skype.
