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Skype Journal: SAM - Skype Answer Machine (Podcasts?)

March 19, 2005 08:01 AM

Alex Rosenbaum released details of release 1.0 SAM Skype Answering Machine for Windows. This is a major product rework, with a new audio solution that makes SAM compatible with all sound cards and USB headsets and phone devices. That's for those of you that want to use it as an Answering Machine. Alex took my hint and this version looks ready for trying it for podcast recording. Read below.

Sam was initially launched and blogged by me last December. It was one of the first SkypeAPI products made available. SAM still provides all the features and more than it provided then. It's now also got a competitor in Skype's own voice messaging system. Alex has worked hard to differentiate SAM from Skype and Pamela (a similar product more restricted). It's free so it costs you nothing to try it out.

New features that caught my attention.

  • User configurable voice message recording duration anywhere between 0 and 10 hours!!
  • Option for a separate set of configurations for non-buddy callers
  • Mute control of speakers while incoming call is answered
  • NEW: User can "Force Answering of Call" by SAM while incoming call is ringing
  • NEW: User can "Take Control over Call" from SAM while voice greeting is played or during recording the callers voice message Note:
  • This feature is inconceivable in Skype's VM architecture !!!
  • Play all New Message' with the hit of one button when you return to computer
  • Run multiple instance of SAM under different Windows users

    You can use this upgraded answer machine as a simple podcast recorder by calling it while in a conference call. Now what's also emerging is a useful feature for sending text messages only while in a Skype call. It's a format I've used Pamela in and not possible with SAM. Pamela doesn't answer the voice call merely sends a Text message. It's useful if you are in a lot of calls, to provide notification to the other party.

    Otherwise for voice mail I'm hooked on SkypeVM. While there are still some things that it won't do, I do enjoy being able to send a Voice Message without interrupting the other person. I can also get it anywhere, no problems if offline etc. This means that the "recorders" and answer machines need to be much more sophisticated or special purposed to be "worth" any money. There is demand for podcast recorders, and journalists want Skype ready devices etc. Alex looks to be headed in the right direction.

    Notes:
    The new features can record for up to ten hours and even run on multiple instances (see link above). I expect with the new sound setup which uses the same Virtual Audio Cables specified in SkypeCasting will provide a very clean sound recording. I ran a quick test with "echo123" myself and SAM on another profile. I will have to do more testing to really "prove" the concept.

    SAM also hit the blog wires for crossing two calls while in beta. The adoption of the virtual cables approach means Alex has addressed and corrected that "bug" or "feature" depending on how you liked it. If you are running the earlier version then you should upgrade.


    TrackBack (1)

    » Answering Machine for Skype from VoIP Report
    SAM (Skype Answering Machine) is a free answering machine application for Skype users. Skype Journal has a nice review of the SAM product. ... [Read More]

    Tracked on May 1, 2005 7:31 AM


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