Oprah Devotes Enitre Show to Skype

by Warren Riddle — May 20th 2009 at 7:21PM

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Skype software enables its users to instant message, talk, and conduct video conversations anywhere in the world, completely for free. Fans of Oprah were introduced to the computer program on her show a year ago, and the media mogul uses the service to converse face-to-face with guests, fans, and even bears.

On Thursday, May 21st, Skype president Josh Silverman will visit 'Oprah' to discuss the features the technology offers to its subscribers. In true over-the-top Oprah fashion, the show will have a bunch of people calling in from exotic locales around the world. Judging by the video teaser for the episode -- titled "Where the Skype Are You," for the record -- you can expect to see video chats on an airplane, a submarine, Antarctica, and London's Harrods department store.
Despite the love she has shown Skype, Kindle and Twitter, Oprah doesn't usually devote entire shows to technology, so this is kind of a big deal, in our view. Not only do we think that this episode will appeal to grandmothers who want to keep in touch with distant progeny, but also to all you technophiles out there, who could use the show as a jumping off point for conversations about the merits of widespread IP telephony.

Sure, the whole premise is basically one giant commercial, but we'd be lying if we said that Skype hasn't saved us hundreds of dollars in long distance (and international cell phone roaming) calls over the past few years. This is one technology that might actually deserve Oprah's extra love. (By the way, you can download Skype for free here.)