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Oprah to Devote Entire Show to Skype
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.)
Oprahs Favorite Tech Things
There's no doubt about it, Oprah loves technology. It seems as though every time we catch her show, Winfrey has another cool gadget in her hand. One thing's for sure: Whatever Oprah likes, Oprah hypes, which means that everything from high-def refrigerators to e-book readers have received a significant boost from the queen of talk's coverage. Here's a round-up of her favorite tech things.
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Kindle Lovin'
We agree with Oprah that the Amazon Kindle is pretty great, but do we have the power to give the entire world $50 off on the device after calling it our "new favorite, favorite thing in the world?" Nope. But Oprah sure does!
Twitter
Gadgets aren't the only tech that Oprah loves. She's recently been on a bit of a social-networking kick. On April 17, Oprah joined Twitter. That day, the site had a 43-percent increase in traffic. Now that's power.
Samsung HD Camcorder
Every year, Oprah kicks off the holiday season with a list of her favorite things. Back in 2007, she was all about the Samsung SC-HMX10C HD Camcorder. She loved it so much, she gave one to every person in her studio audience.
Flip Camcorder
Back in 2007, Oprah already had her own YouTube channel, so what was she using to film behind the scenes clips for it? Why, the Pure Digital Flip Ultra camcorder of course!
LG HDTV Refrigerator
You thought that giving away a Samsung HD camcorder was generous? At the conclusion of 2007's "Favorite Things" episode, Oprah outdid herself by giving her whole audience refrigerators from LG with built-in, digital-recipe-equipped LCD HDTVs. Each one cost nearly $4,000.
Digital Keychain
In addition to loving tech, Oprah also loves President Obama. In the days after the election, Oprah sported a little digital keychain that counted down the days until Obama's inauguration. We want one that counts down to the next iPhone release.
Nintendo Wii
Most of the time, we see Oprah's gadget love on display on her television show. We were pleasantly surprised when we came across this picture of the O buying a Nintendo Wii and two games in a Hawaii Wal-Mart. We bet she kicks ass at 'Mario Cart.'
Garmin GPS
Oprah's always looking for another excuse to show off cool tech. When describing a road trip she took with her friend Gayle, she whipped out a Garmin Nuvi 250 GPS Device -- because Oprah doesn't get lost.
Skype
Long before she devoted an entire show to Skype, Oprah was a frequent user of the Internet phone and video chat service. Since March 2008, Oprah has answered viewer questions on the air and interviewed guests using the service. Pretty impressive, but we're still waiting on her Firefox and Ubuntu Linux episodes.
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Comments
3
Subscribe to commentsMrsMommyMay 21st 2009 12:31PM
Oprah is such a bore. I wish that she would retire and go off to old lady land.
sydneyMay 26th 2009 10:46AM
As a member of the "older" generation, I find your comment insulting. No need to be so negative and demeaning.
Kathy HickmanMay 26th 2009 11:08PM
MrsMommy.....That's your opinion that you should have kept to yourself. Boring - is your opinion!!! Oh, BTW-----I'm not apologizing for loving this lady for many many years!!!! Sounds like you need to go off to the old lady land, not Oprah. You must just be into Barney, Sesame Street, etc by your username....you must just be a Mommy...........BRING IT ON OPHRAH LOVERS!!!...........I LOVE HER AND HOPE ONE DAY TO BE IN HER AUDIENCE!!!
OPRAH, FROM CENTRAL TEXAS TO YOU.........I LOVE YOU ONE WOMAN TO OTHER, NOT MATTER WHAT I WILL ALWAYS STAND BY MY FAVORITE WOMAN!!!! LIVED IN TEXAS SINCE 1972, BY WAY OF THE US ARMY---MY DAD RETIRED IN 1976.