AMD Wants To Know Why Skype Is In Bed With Intel
from the money-or-monopolies dept
It had seemed a bit strange last month when Skype and Intel announced that the VoIP/chat program would have special features when used on a machine with Intel's Core Duo and Pentium D processors. It wasn't exactly clear why a program like Skype would need such processing power, or why it would be a good idea to limit the platforms on which some of their features worked. It would appear that AMD is also curious about this and has now subpoenaed Skype as part of their ongoing anti-trust case against Intel. AMD claims that there's no reason Skype's software shouldn't be fully featured on its own chips and says Intel is using its monopoly position to hinder competition. But what's the reason for Skype/eBay? Reader Simon suggests that that "despite their celebrated number of downloads, perhaps growth isn't what they expected, and they are desperate to claw back some of that huge price tag in the form of Intel marketing dollars." Intel denies that there was any financial incentives at all. Either way, when you find out that a simple chat program needs dual-core chips, it makes you wonder just what is going on under the covers. Programs like that shouldn't be processor hogs, and if they are, then something is definitely wrong.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Programs like that shouldn't be processor hogs, an
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No Subject Given
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Skype and Processing Power
There were accusations from users that their CPU was maxing out and crashing their system because of the burden Skype created.
I don't know if that's true, but it may explain their desire to run on machines with more horse power.
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Re: Skype and Processing Power
Partnering with Intel makes perfect sense. Proper threading in the software will imporove voice quality and system performance. Getting the threading correct goes back to Intel.
Wouldn't it be nice to be opening mail, running other tasks, etc and not have it impact your VOIP conversation?
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It's not about the processor, it's about the commu
AMD, to the best of my knowledge, really doesn't play in the WiMax/WiFi space.
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Not just Dual Core chips
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No Subject Given
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Re: No Subject Given
Then how is it that I can have two or three sim. calls w/out issue with an Asterisk server running on an old 1.2Mhz machine with 512 of memory?
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ever used Skype?!?!?
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Re: Skype and Processing Power
Trust me, my X2 3800+ @ 2.8ghz can do anything any CoreDuo can ;)
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Re: Skype and Processing Power
http://www.networkingpipeline.com/blog/archives/2006/01/beware_skype_ma.html
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Re: Skype and Processing Power
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AMD Wants To Know Why Skype Is In Bed With Intel
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Hey AMD subpoena me too
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Re: Hey AMD subpoena me too
Worst I can think of is plastering its logo over 64bit capable games -- which still run fine on Intel EM64T-enabled chips.
Forgive me if I have a soft spot for a company trying to stem the tide of rampant monopolies in this country (they're all around us, some are natural, like water utilities, but most are oligopolys -- just as bad for consumers). "Late stage capitalism" as I've heard it called.
Look, you should be thanking AMD. Obviously they're only doing it for their own good, but it is upholding the law (that the government for the corporation, by the corporations doesnt really want to) which ultimately lowers costs for you and I.
Unless by "spare me" you mean "spare me lower prices" or "spare me the intellectual troubles of understanding the economic forces attacking my financial freedom and just let me roll my eyes in blissful ignorance"
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Re: Hey AMD subpoena me too
Or dumbass. Your pick.
I'd like to hear AMD's unethical deals in the realm of monopoly action.
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Clearly intentional to exclude AMD
http://www.konglish.org/skype.html
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Call Center Services
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