Skype pulls plug on third-party extras

Skype is retiring its Extras programme, which was designed to help third-party developers create add-ons for Skype's voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) service, reports CNET News.

Unlike Firefox's similar third-party extensions, not enough people were installing Skype Extras which include add-ons such as emoticon enhancements, backup services, and music player plug-ins.

Since many Skype Extras are sold to users as premium content, the shutdown also has a financial impact for profiting developers. They'll have two months, until 11 December, to continue using Skype Credit.

Korean government officials are considering imposing security requirements on users of wireless Internet access points at homes and offices, according to the Korea Communications Commission, states The Korea Times.

Authorities claim that vulnerable access points could easily be used by criminals for malicious online attacks and theft. However, consumers and telcos are concerned whether the new rules will cause Internet inconveniences.

Korean VOIP service provider LG Dacom says it's worried that stricter rules on wireless access points would negatively impact its Internet telephony services.

A new standard for WiFi communication, 802.11n, is now official and is expected to pave the way for faster, more reliable, and efficient wireless networks, says PC World.

That means improvements to streaming of high definition content, better performance for applications running on a WiFi network such as VOIP, and longer laptop battery life given 802.11n chips use less power.

Industry experts claim the first official 802.11n products will be available by this year and will bring about more spatial streams which allow data to be transferred up to 600Mbps.