This sounds like a brilliant strategic partnership: this story says that if you’re using Skype with a dual-core Intel processor you’re allowed to have 10-way conference calls, but if you’re using a competing processor (or, presumably, an older Intel chip) you’ll be limited to 5-way calls. Apparently this is the case regardless of whether the processor you have can actually handle a 10-way call.
I happen to think that if you’re doing 10-way conference calls you need to rethink your conference call strategy. One way or another, this sounds like a really stinky deal for consumers, and it should provide golden opportunities for other platforms (both processors and VOIP providers). It’s another reason why I’m going to take a hard look at AMD next time I need to buy a new CPU.
Update: This story says that AMD’s attorneys are making pointed inquiries into this deal in their ongoing antitrust action against Intel. Whoops.
Update 2: Looks like the 5-user limit on non-Intel chips was an arbitrary restriction after all, and according to this Slashdot article, it’s been cracked. Double whoops.
Maybe you should tell Yahoo Messenger folks to close that deal with AMD…
Whatever for? The winner has already been picked!