Tencent QQ 2009q3: 1B accounts, .4B active, 75MM online

Ahead of Skype worldwide is Tencent (HK:0700), a diversified Chinese online empire with the QQ instant messaging service at its core. Building on free IM, QQ makes money with "Online Media, Wireless Internet Value-Added Services, Interactive Entertainment Service, Internet Value-added Service, E-commerce, and Online Advertising Service." Tencent had another record quarter.

QQ now has more than a billion (1057MM) user accounts. Active accounts in the last two weeks of the quarter are just shy of half that at 484.9MM. Peak concurrent users rose to 75.5MM. Twice as many accounts and nearly four times as much dialtone as Skype.

QQ's "Dialtone Density" (quarterly peak accounts online as a percent of the number of active accounts online) shows customers are spending more time connected with the QQ network.

Tencent explains their growth as "driven by the popularity of our SNS [Social Network Service] applications which enhanced user engagement and activity through cross-platform integration, as well as increased usage of our IM services through mobile devices."

Tencent has an adjacency strategy, adding businesses that complement their core QQ service and sharing common usernames.

So they have casual gaming, MMO games, FPS games, desktop games, enterprise IM, mobile, email, feedreader, security, media player, download manager, pinyin authoring, news and community portal, search, mobile games, mobile QQ, mobile music and ringtones, blogging, dating, facebooking, online fashion, live video, music sharing/streaming, ecommerce shopping and payment services. They all make money, either through premium services and virtual currency, or through a huge advertising network.

Tencent can deploy service after service because QQ runs on a massive centralized infrastructure. Skype will have to package core capabilities through APIs before they can speedily build new services and let partners build on the Skype network.

See also:

• Watch out, Skype. Tencent steps out from China. Skype Journal, September 2009.
• Tencent QQ continues growth, profitability. Skype Journal, August 2009.
• Tencent's QQ IM triples Skype's dialtone.  Skype Journal, March 2009.
• Tencent's QQ: 45 Million Simultaneous Online, Skype Journal, November 2008

tags: tencent, qq, qqim, performance, stats, dialtone, dialtone density, trends, charts

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Tencent's QQ IM triples Skype's dialtone

Tencent Holdings (SEHK 700) published their 2008 financials last week. Among the highlights: stats we can compare with Skype. QQ has more than twice as many registered accounts and more than three times Skype's simultaneous online users. While QQ has many rich instant messaging features, it's not a voice platform. QQ has grown about ten percent quarter over quarter in peak activity since the end of 2008-Q3 when we reported they had 45 million simultaneous online.

For the 16-day period ended 31 December 2008 (in millions), Tencent reported:

Registered IM user accounts (at end of period)	891.9	403
Active user accounts (at end of period)	376.6	NA
Peak simultaneous online user accounts (for the quarter)	49.7	15
Average daily user hours	710.9	NA
Average daily messages(1)	4,282.6	NA

(1) Average daily messages include messages exchanged between PCs only and exclude messages exchanged with mobile handsets.

Nearly all of QQ's users are Chinese readers and speakers. China has an Internet population of 298 million people, Taiwan adds another 15 million.

How can QQ have more registered and active accounts than people who have Internet? China's enormous cybersalon culture. Some estimates say China has as many as 300 thousand Internet cafés of 100 seats or more, about half unlicensed. So for each person with home or work Internet connection, another person drops by a local Internet café.

QQ is bigger and different than Skype and remains one of Skype's biggest rivals in Skype's biggest market.

tags: skype, qq, tencent, stats, metrics, performance, financials, china, cn, tw, taiwan, chinese, dialtone, accounts

Call me at +1-510-455-4384, follow @skypejournal and @Phil Wolff. Ask for an invitation to the Skype Journal private roundtable.

新年快樂 (Xin nian kuai le!)

Year of the Ox! Thanks to bluebison for the cool sketch.

Skype's partner in Hong Kong, TOM-Skype, decorated the Skype logo today.

Skype's Taiwan partner, PChome, posted a holiday banner…

and a holiday promotion.

I love PChome's dressing up of the Chinese character for "ox" with horns and black/white patches. See the ox character in 24 typefaces.

On a more serious note, Ms. Cristy Li blogged a series of moving photos she took last week from Sichuan of people preparing for the Spring Festival.

• Beichuan Middle School Parents & Classmates Mourn Ahead Of Chinese Lunar New Year.
• Sichuan Survivors Remember Their Loved Ones Seek Hope Ahead Of Chinese Lunar New Year
• Good Wishes For Lunar New Year---Remember Sichuan Earthquake Littlest Survivors
• Spring Festival Shoppers Prepare For Holiday
• Chinese New Year 2009 Hope For Better Life 
• Sichuan Province Welcomes Spring Festival 
• Sichuan Quake Survivors Continue to Struggle
• Spring Festival Guests To Meet Panda Cubs 
• China Prepares For Year of Ox
• Sichuan Quake Survivors Move In New Homes 

tags: skype, holiday, new year, china, taiwan, typography, ox

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Splashtop preloads Skype

"With Splashtop, you can access the Internet and your favorite applications seconds after turning on your PC."

"Be online seconds after you turn on your PC. Why wait for Windows to load when you could be surfing the web right away!"

Whether it's Windows 7 or Android, people launch Skype on startup. Connecting to the network gets you "Skype dial tone," so you can make and take Skype calls and chats and sync your history. I want Splashtop on my next laptop.

tags: skype, software, linux, splashtop

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TOM-Skype Breach: What is filtered most?

Milk powder. Ah, so the list is updated frequently. 

SARS. Cripple public safety worker communications for the next outbreak?

Skype. Hah!

Chart and terms provided in BREACHING TRUST: An analysis of surveillance and security practices on China’s TOM-Skype platform by Nart Villeneuve, Psiphon Fellow, The Citizen Lab, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Information Warfare Monitor Joint Report, ONI Asia (JR01-2008). 1 October 2008.

 

tags: skype, tom-skype, communist, Communist Party, Falun, Hu Jintao, Taiwan independence, Wen Jiabao, quit the party, Jiang Zemin, June 4, Olympic Games, Nine Commentaries, Li Hongzhi, earthquake, democracy, Tibet, Mao Zedong, Circumvention, Deng Xiaoping, Diaoyu Islands, Kuomintang, Tiananmen, milk powder, SARS, Voice of America, free door, filter, anti-blockade browser, Garden Network

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TOM-Skype Breach: Chinese TV News

Ｓｋｙｐｅ在中國的合資公司Ｔｏｍ－Ｓｋｙｐｅ，爆發擅自儲存數以百萬則用戶的簡訊， 並且將訊息儲存在缺乏足夠保密措施的電腦上，使外部人士可以很容易監控這些簡訊，對此 Ｓｋｙｐｅ公司向用戶道歉。

根據加拿大多倫多大學的電腦安全專家發表報告披露，Ｓｋｙｐｅ在中國的合資公司Ｔｏｍ－Ｓｋｙｐｅ長期監控用戶在網上聊天的記錄，並且把包含了敏感內容的訊息，儲存在可從公司外部進入的伺服器上，但是由於缺乏安全措施，使外部人士可以輕易的查看經過監控系統過濾的超過一百萬則簡訊，其中很多包括政治敏感詞彙，包括共產黨、法輪功、胡錦濤、台灣獨立、溫家寶等政治敏感關鍵字，地震、奶粉等字眼也在監控範圍之內，由於Ｔｏｍ－Ｓｋｙｐｅ並沒有將事先這項行為通報Ｓｋｙｐｅ或是獲得Ｓｋｙｐｅ批准，因此Ｓｋｙｐ ｅ向用戶提出道歉。

[Google machine translation:]

Skype's joint venture in China, Tom-Skype, the outbreak of the unauthorized storage of millions of messages the user and the message will be stored in a lack of adequate security measures on the computer, so that outsiders can easily monitor these messages, the Skype's users are An apology.

According to the University of Toronto, Canada, computer security experts issued a report on disclosure, Skype's joint venture in China, Tom-Skype users in the long-term monitoring on-line chat records, and to contain sensitive content of the message can be stored in an external company to enter the server , But due to the lack of safety measures, so that outsiders can easily see through the monitoring system to filter the more than 1,000,000 text messages, many of which include politically sensitive terms, including the Communist Party, Falun Gong, Hu Jintao, Taiwan independence, Wen Jiabao, and other politically sensitive keywords , Earthquakes, and words such as milk powder is also within the scope of monitoring, as the Tom-Skype has not informed in advance of this act or Skype was approved by Skype, so Skype apology to the users.

tags: skype, breach, china, news, tom-skype

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ASUS PC-free Skype desk videophone, coming October

Nobody invited me to the Skype London 5th Birthday Party where you might have seen the preview of the ASUS AIGuru SV1. Standalone device, connected directly to the network via wi-fi or ethernet. A good writeup. Photo gallery.

Draft news release below; product name and specs subject to change.

Taipei, Taiwan, September 18, 2008 – September 18, 2008 - ASUS today unveiled the AiGuru SV1, the world's first Skype Certified™ videophone dedicated to unlimited video calling over the Internet. Boasting a large 7" display and a built-in webcam, speaker and microphone, the WiFi-capable videophone lets users make unlimited video calls for free to other Skype users without the need for a computer.

Its simple-to-use, icon-based interface and intuitive button layout take the complexity out of Internet calling - making it easy for anyone to make and receive Skype-to-Skype video and voice calls. Users can even join voice conferences, making the ASUS AiGuru SV1 an inexpensive, all-in-one voice and video conferencing solution for small businesses. Furthermore, the ASUS AiGuru SV1 also allows users to make and receive calls to and from fixed and mobile lines at really cheap rates.

"The AiGuru SV1 is Skype's first foray with a partner into the videophone category," said Jonathan Cristensen, Skype's general manager, mobile and hardware devices. "With more than 25% of Skype-to-Skype calls including video, we know that video is fast becoming a mainstream way for people to communicate. The videophone offers the benefits of video calling to a much wider audience, allowing friends and families to share their worlds face-to-face without being tied to a computer."

Free Calls Whenever, Wherever and Forever
With the ASUS AiGuru SV1, free unlimited video and voice calls can be made to anyone on Skype. Whether it's a father, child, or business colleague receiving a video or voice call, they do not have to be using a videophone; as long as they are connected to Skype - via a computer or a Skype-enabled device - the call will always be free. This enables people worldwide to make Skype-to-Skype calls either at home or the office whenever the need or mood strikes, without having to worry about cost. ASUS AiGuru SV1 users looking to make outgoing and receive incoming calls to and from fixed and mobile lines can subscribe to one of Skype's popular unlimited calling* subscriptions or purchase Skype credit to make outgoing calls at www.skype.com

Great Video and Voice Communications Experience
The ASUS AiGuru SV1 is designed specifically for video calling and is equipped with a large, high-resolution 7" TFT LCD and an integrated webcam, for the best video calling quality. The ASUS AiGuru SV1 also features a built-in microphone and speaker supporting exceptional sound quality. Users who wish to have privacy during their calls can use a standard mini-jack headset and microphone.

Easy to Set Up and Easy to Use
The ASUS AiGuru SV1 offers the quickest and easiest way to make free video calls - at no point is a computer or additional software required. Users can get up and running in three simple steps:
1. Connect to a broadband connection, either wirelessly or via an Ethernet cable
2. Sign-in with an existing Skype name or create a new one
3. Start video calling

The videophone is as easy to use as it is to set up. Its icon-driven user interface and clean, clearly labeled button layout are designed to be immediately intuitive to users.

With its WiFi capability, small footprint and rechargeable battery power system, the ASUS AiGuru SV1 also offers convenience in its portability. The user is neither tied to a wall socket nor a computer during use, which means the videophone can be moved from room to room without hassle, and without interrupting or dropping a call.

Availability
The ASUS AiGuru SV1 will initially be available for pre-order on September 18, 2008 in Europe and North America from Skype's online shop (www.skype.com/shop). It will be on sale at the beginning of October 2008 priced $299.95/€249.95/£199.95. The videophone will be available in retail outlets in the Asia Pacific region later this year.

*Unlimited calling: All calls are subject to Skype's fair usage policy which is set at 10,000 minutes per month (which equates to more than 5 hours of calling per day). Unlimited calls to landlines in up to 36 countries worldwide are included. Calls to premium, non-geographic and other special numbers are excluded.

Specifications
Key Skype features

- Skype-to-Skype video and voice calls
- Call fixed lines and mobiles with Skype credit and/or subscriptions
- Online Number (SkypeIn™) – allows anyone to reach you on Skype
Presence
- Call forwarding
- Skype Voicemail
- Participate in voice conference calls (as a guest only)

Interface
Wireless: 802.11 b/g
Wired: 10/100Mb Ethernet port

Protocols
DHCP/Static IP/PPPoE

Dimensions
202 mm (L) x 123 mm (W) x 253 mm (H)

Weight
1.6 kg

Display
800 X 480 pixel 7" TFT LCD

Camera type
Built in Webcam CMOS (640 X 480 pixels)

Audio
Integrated Speaker
Internal Microphone

Power supply
AC Adaptor: 12V/3A

Battery life
Talking Time : 20 minutes
Standby Time : 30 minutes

Battery charging time
2 hours

Operating distance
Wireless: 50 m (actual transmission distance may vary depending on operating conditions)

Keypad and buttons
- Power button
- Volume keys
- 5-way navigation (Up, Down, Left, Right and Select keys)
- Menu key
- Back key
- Call key
- End key

I/O connectors
- 3.5 mm Headphone jack and Microphone jack
- RJ-45 connector
- USB type A connector
- DC Jack
- Battery connector

Letter to the Editor - Reconsider Skypecasts

August 27, 2008.

To whom it may concern.

It appears Skype has decided to end all SkypeCast as of September 1, 2008.

Skype we believe is an International Company owned by EBay.

We your clients, and supporters of your company, are devastated by your decision to stop SkypeCasts.

This action, has been a decision that will affect your standing in the industry; simply put it is a terrible decision that affects millions.

Letters are already being sent to the International Press and Television stations and Radio stations.

We your supporters and clients feel very strongly about this terrible decision.

In USA we the people are contacting our Congressman and our Senators, this decision by your company has affected millions of people in this country, and many other countries.

Your supporters feel this action, is one which should be reconsidered by your board of directors and your President and CEO. 

Your Skype published statement, makes a comment, that you are sorry for this inconvenience, that this may cause your clients using SkypeCast.

Surely there must have been an error in judgment in contemplating this action.

Inconvenience is not the description that should have been used; this is a disaster of international importance.

Many students as of this moment are using SkypeCast to teach the skill of English reading and speaking.

We have listed some of the countries from which our students have come to participate in this project.

More than 50 different countries supply students for this particular project.

Algeria, France, Germany, Spain, Columbia, Mexico, Albania, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Ukraine, Russia, Africa, Finland, Denmark, Morocco, Holland, Australia, Austria, Georgia, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Albania, Turkey,  Philippines, China, Moldavia, Egypt, Poland, South Korea, Poland, Finland, Denmark, Italy, Greece, Brazil, Thailand, Canada, Indonesia, Belgium, Peru, Libya, Vietnam, Hungary, Taiwan, Switzerland, Venezuela, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Qatar, United Kingdom.

Personally as an English Teacher I and other co-teachers have instructed 651 students in a SkypeCast called English Lessons.

Involved in this English Lessons project which started in January 2008 and involved five hours of instruction every day.

Thanks to the dedication of many people, which included a host from Indonesia , teachers from Brazil , Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, China, United Kingdom, Poland, U.S.A., Bavaria, Germany, Greece, Australia.

Our project and the people involved are devastated.

Sincerely

English Lessons   jwhite6787@msn.com

See also:

• Skypecasts home page
• Goodnight Skypecasts, Peter Parkes, 26 August 2008
• Some more on Skypecasts, Peter Parkes, 28 August 2008
• Alternatives to Skypecasts, Jim Courtney, 29 August 2008

tags: skype, skypecasts, skypecasting, skypecast, community

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Skype stops selling flat-rate all-Taiwan and all-Asia plans in Taiwan

Taiwan probably has the highest per-capita Skype adoption of any country. Politicians pose for Skype photo-ops. Their top portal drives Skype traffic. They invent the most stylish of USB and PC-free Skype phones.  
So I was surprised when Jan Geirnaert tipped me to Skype partner PChome backing off of some flat rate services as published in this DigiTimes story.
Skype's deal of a cheap flat rate to landlines in all of Taiwan and most of Asia was so good that some customers maxed out their accounts. They shared their accounts with friends and family. Some even set up shop selling access to their Skype accounts.
Skype continues to offer the all world rate, but the Go Taiwan and Go Asia rates are not for sale or renewal at PChome.com.  New pricing plans will replace Go Taiwan and Go Asia as soon as they can be defined and built. The new subscriptions "will better suit the calling patterns and price points for users in Taiwan" said a Skype spokesperson.
Large economic forces are in tension. The demand to talk still fuels a multi-trillion dollar industry. Skype serves five percent of long distance calls on Earth, yet unmet demand is enormous. As we've seen here, small changes in pricing dramatically change product adoption, calling behavior, and consumer psychology. It's still early and new skills, beyond simple market arbitrage, will become important to Skype's prosperity and success. 

Rough translation of the letter PChome emailed to customers, provided to me by Skype.

Dear XYZ,
 
Thank your kindly for supporting PChome and Skype for a long time.
 
We regret to notify you that we will stop the auto-renewal function of Unlimited Taiwan and Asia 200 starting 8/21/2008. It means you can not extend the subscription of these packages by paying with Skype Credits in your Skype account anymore. However, you can keep using active Unlimited Taiwan and Asia 200 until the expiration date.
 
PChome always tries to keep our users satisfied by offering the Skype Internet communication service with excellent quality and reasonable price. The new subscriptions are very popular. However as several months passed, we found some users abused the service, and the misuse made a serious impact on regular users. Therefore, we have to stop the auto-renewal of the service. We are quite sorry about the inconvenience.
 
Please notice that after the auto-renewal stops, you can still use SkypeOut to call the whole world and don't forget the chat, calls and video calls of Skype to Skype are completely free. Besides, we will release alternative monthly subscription packages that match users' requests as soon as possible.
 
Once again, sorry for the inconvenience, and thanks for understanding. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
PChome

tags: skype, pchome, taiwan, taipei, pricing, plans

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