I do love using Skype, for the same reason as you - missing the grandkids. My grand-daughter lives 1,000km away, but my daughter and I Skype once a week, so I can see them. We blow kisses, and she blows them back - its a lovely interaction. When we meet in person, she remembers us - wonderful.
I also love my e-reader....hb gave me an Amazon Kindle for Christmas, and its great. I can buy a new-release novel for $9, or a classic for $2...or sometimes they are free. I can finish a book in the middle of the night, then turn on the wireless connection, go "shopping" for a new book , read reviews, even read a free chapter to see if I'll like it. Then buy it...and it is ready to read in a few seconds. Great service ! The other night I bought the Collected Works of Charles Dickens....$2.99 for 51 stories. Bargain !
Then there is the iPhone....but that's another story !