Skype announced Call Forwarding and added it to their latest Windows beta 1.4. I've been experimenting with it. It doesn't take long to try out, there aren't that many features to it. Compared to iSkoot and Jyve, Skype's call forwarding has two quasi benefits. 1) it works when your Skype is offline, and 2) it lets your buddies know when offline with a presence icon that you are in call forward mode.

Note the additional icons. The blue call-forwarding icon and the green this-is-an-incoming-forwarded-call. Note: you don't know who the forwarded call was from (a potential problem). Similarly, callers who find their calls forwarded don't know who might answer. The ring tone remains the same, there is no audio signal that something is different. In this example I forwarded skypejournal to ring my Skype ID.

Skype Call Forwarding

• Is available to all Skypers using the beta 1.4
• forwards inbound Skype calls (from Skypers or on SkypeIn) to any other buddy account or phone number. When forwarded to landline or mobile it will cost you SkypeOut minutes. In some countries know what your rates are!
• works even if you don't have a SkypeOut account. You can forward an inbound call to another Skype buddy or account.
• will automatically forward calls not answered after four rings even when skype remains active. If you send it to a cellphone which answers it will take the voice mail. If the forwarded call doesn't answer then it will revert to your Skype voice mail if you have it.
• may forward and ring up to three numbers. Additional numbers don't appear to be rung sequentially, rather all at the same time.

Things you can't do on call forwarding.

• forwarded calls won't go to your skype friend's voice mail.
• similarly a forwarded call cannot be forwarded on by the buddy you have forwarded it to.
• voice messages also aren't forwarded which makes sense as they aren't meant for you buddy.
• no control over what names you can forward. This should be done by contract groups.
• no control over SkypeIn and forwarding.
• there is no notification via text to another Skyper that their call is being forwarded.

Are there still issues. You bet.

• For a Skyper the person that they are calling remains visible. It is easy to miss that the person they are calling to is a call forward. Example the caller places a call to an offline account (eg from a directory search), the call is forwarded to another Skype buddy at no charge. The buddy who answers gets a minor blue forward signal on the picture. The identity of who the caller is forwarding to is preserved. There are pluses and minuses to this strategy.
• I'd like to be able to turn call forwarding on and off from my SkypeIn number. I'd also like to be able to get voice messages by dialing in to my SkypeIn account.
• I may not want to give out my phone or cell number. So setting call forwarding and not releasing that info is appropriate. However, the caller may need to know it is being forwarded. It may not be explicit enough.
• leaves open the opportunity for abuse. I open a junk alias and add in three buddy names I want to harass. If the name is attractive (even left on in Skype Me mode) they could be in for a rude set of calls. The result could force me to increase my privacy settings.

Some things Skypers will start experimenting with.

Call Forward and the Small Office: Open a Skype account with your company name. Buy a SkypeIn number or even multiple numbers. Then forward to three Skypers (you can see a work groups account coming here can't you!) Any one of the four can answer the calls. For some companies you could forward multiple Skype International numbers to your PBX number. If you are in one of Skype's 30 flat rate countries this could be interesting.

Global Calls to Mobile: Even if your wife doesn't use Skype you can set up an account for her and forward calls to her mobile from whereever you are in the world for almost nothing. She doesn't even have to know how you did it.

Aliases: Set up aliases and then set them to call forward. Your identity is masked on inbound calls while the other person's is visible to you (which could be an alias too). The only thing missing is the presence data for your alias. Still with tags when SkypeWeb launches this possibility will be close.

Test...

Ring my SkypeIn number that is forwarded to another Skype account that doesn't have voice mail or anything. Let it ring. It finally does go back to my Skype account voice mail. It did take a lot of rings. I'd note too that the original inbound number said "Vonage" and then on the call forward it provided an accurate caller ID phone number.

Ever miss an important Skype call? Want to forward your inbound Skype Calls to your mobile phone and are willing to spend a few SkypeOut minutes to do it? Jyve offers a quick and easy solution to make it happen. More importantly you can forward calls from specified buddies or anyone.

To add call forwarding for your Skype.

1. Download Jyve Web Tools
2. Activate the "Advanced ON"
3. Select Call Forwarding
4. Point Jyve to your phone number or the Skype name you want to forward calls to.
5. Make sure you have a paid up SkypeOut balance. You pay for calls forwarded.

Note the same feature will also act as a ringer. Ringing your home phone and letting you know that your PC has a Skype caller.

How does it work?
When Jyve Skype Forwarding is active, your calls will be forwarded to the number or Skype name you have specified. Jyve enables call forwarding by sending the caller a text message (well not yet on SkypeIn) that the call is being forwarded. Then Jyve creates a conference call, muting the mic and speakers on your PC and connecting the Skype call to your mobile or another telephone or Skype client. It's a simple solution. When the callers hang up the conference bridge ends. Jyve is then ready to forward the next call.