Make group video calls with up to 10 people

You can now use Skype to make group video calls* with up to 10 people – letting you bring even more of your family, friends or business together, even if you’re cities or continents apart.

Note that everyone in a group video call now needs to be running this version, so if your friends, family or colleagues are using Beta 1, they’ll have to upgrade before you can include them in group video calls.

A refreshed user interface

You’ll notice that the new-look Skype is sleeker, neater and crisper than before, and we’re proud of the work our interface designers have done to refine and mature the interface for this version. We’ve also added Skype Home, where you can follow your contacts' mood messages, set your profile picture and mood message, receive account notifications and learn more about using Skype.

Better stability and quality

We’ve made improvements to call quality when making group video calls, as well as fixed a number of bugs affecting stability, so your calling experience should be smoother than before. This version also includes automatic call recovery, which should help automatically reconnect Skype calls that are interrupted due to network problems. We’ve also made a number of other housekeeping fixes since the first beta – but please bear in mind that this is still a beta version, and so there may be the odd bug remaining.

* Group video calling is currently available as a free trial. For group video calls, everyone in the group video call will need Skype 5.0 Beta 2 for Windows.

Make group video calls with up to 10 people with the new beta version of Skype for Windows

• $100-$140 - Cost of required Boy Scout uniform at traditional retail outlets
• $56-$114 - Cost of required Boy Scout uniform on eBay
• 44 - Savings

Add in the patches, camping gear, craft supplies, sporting equipment, and those savings quickly add up.

Imagine that an enterprising Seller visits his local Boy Scout troop asking parents if they’d like to consign their previously-loved uniforms for sale on eBay. Then imagine that a clever Developer builds an inventory management app to help that Seller. Or a Developer who helps Buyers shop for those items (think uniform or camping bundles). Now imagine a budget-conscious parent shopping for a Boy Scout shirt saving 85% on the cost (as low as $6 on eBay vs $40 retail). That’s a virtuous cycle where everyone makes or saves money.

The average troop size will be about 20 kids (source: scouting.org). You won’t make $100K from just 20 kids. But to the Boy Scouts you add: a few more troops, the Girl Scouts, school uniforms, theatre/prop apparel, formal wear, and costume rentals. All of a sudden the market gets bigger. Here’s how the Seller gets to six figures:

• $100000 - Target revenue
• $4 - Your average take per uniform
• 3 minutes - Average processing time to process, pack, and ship an order with inventory on hand (using a Seller app, of course!)

• $100000 / $4 = 25,000 units
• 25,000 / 52 weeks = 481 units per week
• 481 * 3 minutes = 1443 minutes labor per week
• 1443 / 60 minutes = 24 hours labor per week

Working half-time for $100,000 a year doesn’t sound too bad, right? Here’s how the Developer gets to six figures:

• 25,000 units * $0.25 per unit = $6250 (based on monetization from: Developer’s own pricing model, Open eBay subscriptions, and/or eBay Partner Network Quality Click Pricing)

Not bad. But extend that app to ROTC uniforms. Athletic uniforms. Halloween costumes. Get multiple Sellers to subscribe. Drive Buyers with a mobile app. That’s how you get to $100K.

Just so you know that there is more than enough business out there to make these numbers credible, I tried to find industry information freely available on the web. Some numbers to consider:

• $324M - Cub, Boy, and Venture Scouts Uniforms; estimated based on 2.7M scouts at an average uniform cost of $140 (source: scouting.org)
• $198M - Girl Scouts Uniforms; estimated based on 3.3M scouts at an average uniform cost of $60 (source: girlscouts.org)
• $1.30B - School Uniform market (source: CNBC)
• $759M - Formal Wear and Costume Market (source: IBISWorld)

Based on a casual comment by a delighted parent, I discovered an opportunity that might never have crossed my mind. For the best monetization opportunity on the web, eBay still can’t be beat. If you want to know more:

• About becoming an eBay Developer: http://developer.ebay.com
• About Open eBay Apps: http://apps.ebay.com (or the Applications tab on My eBay)
• About the eBay Partner Network: http://ebaypartnernetwork.com

Have an idea for another eBay business or app? Post a comment below.




Serge




How You Can Turn Boy Scout Uniforms Into a Six-Figure Business

]]> http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/31/how-you-can-turn-boy-scout-uniforms-into-a-six-figure-business/feed/ http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/30/why-we-partnered-with-paypal-x-for-the-developer-challenge/ http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/30/why-we-partnered-with-paypal-x-for-the-developer-challenge/#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:00:00 +0000 Ebay http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/30/why-we-partnered-with-paypal-x-for-the-developer-challenge/ Hi – Sri Shivananda here, eBay’s senior director of platform product management. We here at eBay wanted to share our excitement about being a part of PayPal X’s second Developer Challenge.

Deciding to partner with PayPal and sponsor the eBay X Award wasn’t hard. Not only does it offer an opportunity to provide eBay developers with a chance to gain recognition and a fabulous prize, but we are also introducing PayPal developers to the eBay platform and inspiring them to build apps that use our APIs in new and creative ways. And, given the success of the first PayPal X Developer Challenge, we definitely didn’t want to miss out on helping spark more innovative ideas for this second one.

We will be awarding $10,000 to the developer who submits the best application that leverages our eBay Developer APIs. In addition to the judging guidelines for the Dev Challenge, our review team will also be taking into consideration the app’s ability to improve satisfaction within the eBay buyer and seller communities.
Like PayPal, we look to provide our developer network with as much support as possible to foster the development of disruptive apps and services that will shake up the way we look at online and mobile shopping and payments.

We look forward to your great entries and announcing our winner at Innovate 2010 in October! Check out x.com for more information on the eBay X Award and the Developer Challenge.




Why We Partnered with PayPal X for the Developer Challenge

]]> http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/30/why-we-partnered-with-paypal-x-for-the-developer-challenge/feed/ http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/28/685-trading-shopping-merchant-data-api-docs-now-available/ http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/28/685-trading-shopping-merchant-data-api-docs-now-available/#comments Fri, 27 Aug 2010 23:56:50 +0000 Ebay http://blog.gianostore.com/fr/2010/08/28/685-trading-shopping-merchant-data-api-docs-now-available/

Please remember to use a test environment when updating applications to use a new schema version.

To find out when a version of the API will be available, see the table at the
top of the Release Notes for that API.

You can find the latest API documentation at the eBay
Developer Documentation Center.

Trading

Trading Release Notes

Release Highlights

• New Shipping Rate Table and Ship-To Exclusions for Special Domestic Locations
• Support for More Payment Gateways
• Improvements to My Messages Functionality
• GetAccount Call Can Return the Conversion Rate
• Secondary Category Dropped for New Listings in Value Categories
• Shipping Services: a Clarification

See the
Trading API System Announcements
for bug fixes included in this release.

Shopping


Shopping Release Notes

See the
Shopping API System Announcements
for bug fixes included in this release.

Merchant Data


Merchant Data Release Notes

See the
Large Merchant Services API System Announcements
for bug fixes included in this release.

Bradburn Young
API Tech Docs




685 Trading, Shopping, Merchant Data API Docs Now Available

]]> http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/28/685-trading-shopping-merchant-data-api-docs-now-available/feed/ http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/27/paypal-x-innovate-2010-developer-conference/ http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/27/paypal-x-innovate-2010-developer-conference/#comments Fri, 27 Aug 2010 05:56:57 +0000 Ebay http://blog.gianostore.com/en/2010/08/27/paypal-x-innovate-2010-developer-conference/
The only developer conference dedicated to payments, the PayPal X Innovate 2010 Developer Conference is where the sharpest minds in the developer community gather to define the future of money—literally changing the way people pay and get paid.

Now in its second year, the PayPal X Innovate 2010 Developer Conference invites developers to explore new ways to integrate payments into web pages and experiences, applications, and even products using PayPal’s open, global payments platform and APIs.

PayPal X Innovate 2010 gives developers the opportunity to code and collaborate in real time with PayPal engineers.

]]> http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/27/paypal-x-innovate-2010-developer-conference/feed/ http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/18/skype-mobile-now-on-lg-env-touch-lg-chocolate-touch-and-samsung-reality-on-verizon-wireless/ http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/18/skype-mobile-now-on-lg-env-touch-lg-chocolate-touch-and-samsung-reality-on-verizon-wireless/#comments Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:20:00 +0000 Ebay http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/18/skype-mobile-now-on-lg-env-touch-lg-chocolate-touch-and-samsung-reality-on-verizon-wireless/ Even more of you can now put Skype in your pocket - Skype mobile is now available on the LG enV TOUCH, LG Chocolate Touch and Samsung Reality on Verizon Wireless.

It lets you make free calls* to friends and family on Skype, great value calls to landlines and mobile phones overseas, and send IMs to people on Skype anywhere in the world.

Here’s how charging works:

Skype-to-Skype calls, to or from your mobile, computer or TV

These calls are completely free*. They don’t count towards your Verizon Wireless minutes allowance.

Calls to another mobile number or landline number in the US

These calls count towards your Verizon Wireless minutes.

Calls to an international mobile number or landline number

These calls are great value - pay for these using Skype Credit or one of our subscriptions. For example, you can make unlimited calls† to landlines in Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey for just $6.99 per month.

All calls run on the largest and most reliable wireless network in the US, which helps to make sure that call quality is top-notch, and lets you use your favorite accessories, including Bluetooth headsets.

To get Skype mobile on your LG enV TOUCH, LG Chocolate Touch or Samsung Reality, you can download it from Media Center/Get It Now or from the Verizon Media Store - or text SKYPE to 2255 for a link to the download.

Don’t forget that Skype mobile is also available for DROID and selected BlackBerry smartphones on Verizon Wireless - just visit www.skype.com/m from your device to download it.

* You’ll need a data plan in order to use Skype mobile on your Verizon Wireless phone.
† A fair use policy applies to unlimited subscriptions.


Skype mobile - now on LG enV TOUCH, LG Chocolate Touch and Samsung Reality on Verizon Wireless

]]> http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/18/skype-mobile-now-on-lg-env-touch-lg-chocolate-touch-and-samsung-reality-on-verizon-wireless/feed/ http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/13/use-a-skype-to-go-number-this-weekend-and-get-5-of-skype-credit/ http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/13/use-a-skype-to-go-number-this-weekend-and-get-5-of-skype-credit/#comments Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:17:35 +0000 Ebay http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/13/use-a-skype-to-go-number-this-weekend-and-get-5-of-skype-credit/ A free Skype To Go number lets you make international calls, at the same Skype rates you pay now, but using your mobile phone instead of a computer.* All you need is a little Skype Credit or a monthly subscription.

Set up a free Skype To Go number, use it this weekend (14-15 August) and we’ll email you a voucher worth $5 USD of Skype Credit.**

Learn more about Skype To Go numbers

*Subject to operator fees where applicable. Use Skype Credit or your monthly subscription.
**To be eligible for the $5 USD voucher you need to set up Skype To Go and place a call using a Skype To Go number during the weekend of August 14-15, 2010. Existing Skype To Go users are not eligible. Vouchers will be emailed by September 6, 2010. If your Skype Credit balance is not maintained in US Dollars the amount of credit will be converted to your chosen currency at the conversion rate seen in the currency section on 'My Account'.


Use a Skype To Go number this weekend and get $5 of Skype Credit

]]> http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/13/use-a-skype-to-go-number-this-weekend-and-get-5-of-skype-credit/feed/ http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/10/fox-business-news-ebay-goes-mobile-interview-with-ebay-vp-steve-yankovich-ebaynews/ http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/10/fox-business-news-ebay-goes-mobile-interview-with-ebay-vp-steve-yankovich-ebaynews/#comments Tue, 10 Aug 2010 21:49:21 +0000 Ebay http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/10/fox-business-news-ebay-goes-mobile-interview-with-ebay-vp-steve-yankovich-ebaynews/ The following interview with Steve Yankovich, eBay VP of Mobile Solutions, ran on Fox Business News earlier this morning. In it, Steve discusses the ease of use of mobile applications and the influence they’re ultimately having on ecommerce and online retail.

Enjoy!

Cheers,
RBH

Watch the latest video at video.foxbusiness.com


Fox Business News: eBay Goes Mobile; interview with eBay VP Steve Yankovich #ebaynews

]]> http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/10/fox-business-news-ebay-goes-mobile-interview-with-ebay-vp-steve-yankovich-ebaynews/feed/ http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/10/overview-and-demo-of-prostores-10-video-interview-with-ecommerceguy-ebaynews/ http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/10/overview-and-demo-of-prostores-10-video-interview-with-ecommerceguy-ebaynews/#comments Tue, 10 Aug 2010 21:24:11 +0000 Ebay http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/10/overview-and-demo-of-prostores-10-video-interview-with-ecommerceguy-ebaynews/ It has been a week since the launch of ProStores 10 and I sat down with Lin Shearer, Sr. Manager and head of marketing for ProStores, earlier today to discuss the newest release.

Highlights of ProStores 10:


** Easily integrate with your eBay inventory. Import your eBay product listings. Remove all inbound listings or convert them to products in ProStores in a single action. Assign default listing templates to your eBay items. Easily synch your inventory between ProStores and Selling Manager Pro.

** Customize your storefront. With Page Builder, a new drag-and-drop design tool, it’s easier than ever to customize your store. Create multiple layout versions of key pages. Manage page elements and rich text without using custom coding.

** Advertise and promote your store. Highlight your store discounts and promotions with images and text. Schedule and associate advertising banners to specific promotions.

** Manage catalogs easily. Manage large catalogs and assign products to categories faster with enhanced search, sort, and viewing capabilities. Easily add a product to a category or advertise a product more effectively by assigning it to a featured category.

** Manage invoices and order entry with ease. Save time and provide great customer service by locating and revising orders more quickly, easily processing phone orders.




Here is a video demo of ProStores 10:

Connect with ProStores
Follow ProStores on Twitter
Follow Lin on Twitter
Become a fan of ProStores on Facebook
Check out the ProStores YouTube Video Channel
Subscribe to ProStores blog feed

Cheers,
RBH


Overview and Demo of @ProStores 10; Video interview with @ecommerceguy #ebaynews

]]> http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/10/overview-and-demo-of-prostores-10-video-interview-with-ecommerceguy-ebaynews/feed/ http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/10/new-iphone-mobile-app-available-for-animal-lovers-with-ebayclassifieds-pets-international-apps-get-a-facelift-too-ebaynews/ http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/10/new-iphone-mobile-app-available-for-animal-lovers-with-ebayclassifieds-pets-international-apps-get-a-facelift-too-ebaynews/#comments Mon, 09 Aug 2010 22:36:54 +0000 Ebay http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/10/new-iphone-mobile-app-available-for-animal-lovers-with-ebayclassifieds-pets-international-apps-get-a-facelift-too-ebaynews/

Introducing eBay Classifieds Pets
I saw another eBay mobile app released late last week. (The list of eBay mobile apps just keeps on growing!). This one is targeted at animal lovers for sure. The eBay Classifieds Pets iPhone app was released on iTunes on Friday.

With the new eBay Classifies Pets iPhone app you can:

• View all available pets in a big picture slide show
• Create saved searches and choose custom icons
• Search by any combination of keywords, categories, attributes, and distance
• Locate your prospective pet on a map
• Share any ad with your friends on Twitter or Facebook or via email
• View responsible pet ownership and adoption information provided by The Humane Society of the United States
• Add any ad to your watch list

Download the app here: http://bit.ly/ebcpetsapp and be sure to check out the main eBay Classifieds iPhone app too.

Kijiji & MyGumtree 2.0 Launch
In related news, two international mobile apps got full-scale facelifts…

New features include:

• iOS4 compatibility fixes
• Fast app switching
• New fresh look and feel throughout the app
• Browse by categories from the home screen
• Search by keywords, price, distance, and attributes
• Total view ad overhaul
• View ad on map and get directions
• Reply via phone or email in-app
• View ad pictures on same page with flick gesture
• Updated Twitter sharing and added OAuth authentication
• Brand new easy-to-use post ad flow with selection review
• Recommend this app feature on the About screen (let your friends know!)
• New Gumtree logo



Kijiji is available in Canada and you can download the new app from the Canadian App Store.



MyGumtree continues to support three specific countries and you can download the app depending on the country:
• Australia
• South Africa
• Poland

(Remember, if you don’t already, be sure to subscribe to the eBay Classifieds blog to get anything and everything related to eBay Classfieds).

Cheers!
RBH


New iPhone mobile app available for animal lovers with @ebayclassifieds Pets; international apps get a facelift too #ebaynews

]]> http://blog.gianostore.com/2010/08/10/new-iphone-mobile-app-available-for-animal-lovers-with-ebayclassifieds-pets-international-apps-get-a-facelift-too-ebaynews/feed/