The technology I decided to focus on is called Skype. Skype is a communication software that has broken down many walls of communication. With an internet-connected device, families, friends and colleagues can gather for free via messaging, voice and video. For a low cost, Skype can also allow the user to call landlines or mobile devices virtually anywhere in the world. Skype recently introduced group video, allowing groups of more than two people to video chat together, regardless of actual distance. It is a very well-known program that is part of Microsoft and is used frequently by today's generation. The service is available for desktop computers, notebooks and tablets, and other mobile devices, including mobile phones. Skype is known to be an Internet Protocol telephony service provider. IP telephony is a general term for technologies that use Internet connections to exchange voice, fax, and other forms of information traditionally transmitted by telephone networks (Rouse, 2010). This softphone application can be downloaded onto virtually any device running Windows, Macintosh, Linux, or Windows Mobile operating systems. Skype includes free calls between users, file transfers, SMS, video chats and video conferencing. A feature called SkypeOut allows calls to regular phones, and these calls are charged to a prepaid account or a flat-rate annual subscription. Skype was first developed and written by Jaan Tallinn, Priit Kasesalu and Ahti Heinla. Skype software was first released in August 2013. Skype was initially developed with a peer-to-peer sharing network structure. The reason Skype was so successful was because it uses…half the paper…with Skype. TIME. Retrieved from http://swampland.time.com/2013/09/16/ saving-us-health-care-with-skype/#ixzz2kI0GjDjy Ron. (2013). Microsoft details the future of Skype, fast but familiar across multiple platforms. WinBeta. Retrieved from http://www.winbeta.org/news/microsoft-details-skypes-future-fast-yet-familiar-across-different-platformsRosoff, Matt. (2011). Microsoft Insider: Here's why we bought Skype. BusinessInsider. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/why-microsoft-bought-skype-an-insider-explains-2011-5#ixzz2kGyvpoG6Ross, R. Lohr, S. (2011). Microsoft will buy Skype for $8.5 billion. Book of negotiations. Retrieved from http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/05/10/microsoft-to-buy-skype-for-8-5-billion/?_r=0Rouse, Margaret. (2010). IP telephony. SearchUnified Communications. Retrieved from http://searchunifiedcommunications.techtarget.com/definition/IP-telephony