Skype rolls out Video Messaging

By Christian Zibreg on Jun 17, 2013

Microsoft-owned Skype started testing out Video Messages in mid-February. The new feature is meant to let Skype users send short video snippets to each other up to three minutes long, even when offline. Now out of beta, Skype Video Messaging is available to everyone via a free update to Skype mobile and desktop apps across Windows, Mac, iOS, BlackBerry and Android platforms. Here’s a closer look at Skype Video Messaging and how to use this new capability on your devices… Read More

 

Leaked NSA presentation slides show it’s not just Verizon giving up data [updated]

By Cody Lee on Jun 6, 2013

Last night, news broke of a secret court order from the National Security Agency (or NSA) requiring Verizon Wireless to hand over the call records of millions of US cell phone users. As you can imagine, mayhem ensued.

And then just as things began to calm down, another bombshell dropped this afternoon. The Washington Post claims it has obtained slides from a top secret security presentation that show Verizon’s not the only company sharing your data… Read More

 

Skype for iPhone gains improved calling and chatting features

By Christian Zibreg on May 30, 2013

Today, Microsoft-owned Skype has been updated on the iPhone and iPod touch (the latter sold 100 million units since its 2007 inception). The enhancements include a pair of features related to the application’s chatting and VoIP calling capabilities.

For starters, one-to-one chats now appear in the correct order. There’s also a new introduction screens for first-time users. More importantly, the VoIP application now lets you switch easily between headset, speaker or Bluetooth device, without interrupting call in progress… Read More

 

Skype updated with all new calling experience

By Cody Lee on Mar 7, 2013

Good news today for all of you Skype users out there. The video-chatting service released a solid update for both its iPhone and iPad applications this morning with some UI changes, and other improvements.

Those improvements include a fix that makes one-on-one chats [finally] show up in correct order, and the ability to quickly dismiss your recent chats as ‘read.’ But the star of the update is the new calling UI… Read More

 

Skype testing short video messaging feature

By Christian Zibreg on Feb 15, 2013

Microsoft is launching a new Video Messages feature to allow Skype users to send short video snippets to each other up to three minutes long. The feature works in both online and offline mode and Microsoft has started testing it with some Skype users on the Mac, iOS and Android, according to multiple web reports. Surprisingly, Skype Video Messages won’t be initially available on Windows, but Skype for Windows users will receive these messages with a link to view them online. More tidbits right below… Read More

 

Skype for iPhone gains emergency call redirection, automatic call recovery

By Christian Zibreg on Feb 7, 2013

Following a Skype for iPad update earlier this week that has enabled automatic dropped call recovery, in-app purchase of Skype credits and a minor UI tweak, the Microsoft-owned VoIP provider has pushed out an update to its iPhone and iPod touch client this morning. Borrowing from the latest iPad build, the iPhone version will now automatically reconnect any dropped call.

More importantly emergency calls now get routed through the native dialer, which is interesting knowing most other VoIP apps don’t support this feature. A few more tidbits and the full changelog follow after the jump… Read More

 

You can now add money to your account directly in Skype for iPad

By Christian Zibreg on Feb 4, 2013

Microsoft-owned Skype has some nice mobile clients on the iPhone and iPad (unlike its fugly Mac app). Though it’s a tad heavy on CPU and battery, Skype on iOS offers excellent voice quality and image clarity in video chats. At least that’s what my experience’s been, your mileage may vary. Today, a new iPad build has surfaced on the App Store with some new nice capabilities worth a mention.

If you use Skype credits to text people and make inexpensive calls, no longer do you need to buy these on the Skype web site as the iPad build now supports adding money in-app, but only if you live in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Sweden or Estonia (more countries to follow soon).

Experiencing poor reception (it’s Skype’s way of letting us know we should buy some credits)? No problem, the new version now automatically reconnects a dropped call. More tidbits right after the break… Read More

 

Skype update enables chatting with Messenger, Hotmail and Outlook.com contacts

By Christian Zibreg on Nov 28, 2012

Skype was recently updated with a taller UI tailored for the iPhone 5. Today, Microsoft pushed another update, bringing a few new features to the popular communications client. For starters, you can now merge your Skype and Microsoft account, which also enables the software to connect to Microsoft’s other messaging properties. Most notably, this means you can now chat with Messenger, Hotmail and Outlook.com contacts right from Skype… Read More

 

Skype app updated with new photo sharing feature

By Cody Lee on Aug 21, 2012

Skype users rejoice! The video calling service just updated its iPhone and iPad apps, bringing the mobile client to version 4.1. The update includes a handful of bug fixes and a new photo sharing feature.

That’s right, users with the latest version of the app will now be able to send and receive photos… Read More

 

Facebook testing Messenger for iPad with Skype video calling

By Christian Zibreg on May 2, 2012

A new report alleges that Facebook is working to add video chatting capabilities to its standalone messaging app for the iPhone. Additionally, the Facebook Messenger for iPad with video calling is also being tested internally.

Both versions of the Messenger app take advantage of Facebook’s deal with Skype from July of last year which has enabled the social networking behemoth to deliver Skype video calling right within the desktop interface… Read More

 

Skype for iOS gets UI tweaks, the ability to move own video preview

By Christian Zibreg on Apr 30, 2012

A new version of Skype for iOS apps is out of the gate this morning, offering the obligatory bug fixes and minor UI improvements. While the interface still remains way too clunky on an iPad and not conforming to Apple’s own guidelines, a minor enhancements stands out: you can now finally move your own video preview around. Here, your release notes… Read More

 

Skype for iOS updated with new interface and bug fixes

By Jake Smith on Feb 21, 2012

Skype is one of the best tools to communicate with friends, family, and colleagues. It allows you to easily send messages and call people for free. Skype’s iOS app also makes it even easier to communicate on the go.

Today, the Skype crew has released a welcomed update for their iOS app, that includes a new interface and a slew of bug fixes, in version 3.7: Read More

 

New Vonage iOS App Promises 30% Lower Rates Than Skype

By Oliver Haslam on Feb 8, 2012

Vonage has come out fighting in its ongoing battle with the king of VoIP, Skype. The company has just released a new iOS app along with a low calling rate that is sure to put the frighteners on Skype.

Available to download for free right now, the Vonage app allows VoIP calls between Vonage users across iOS and Android as well as cheap calls to traditional landlines, too.

Vonage claims to be 70% cheaper than traditional telcos, and 30% cheaper than Skype… Read More

 

VoIP-Based Services Like iMessage Reportedly Eating Carriers’ Lunches

By Oliver Haslam on Nov 19, 2011

With third-party instant messaging apps, Apple’s own iMessage, and VoIP services becoming more prevalent, it is to be expected that at some point mobile networks will see a reduction in revenue as people move away from using SMS and voice calling.

What we didn’t really expect is the move to start happening so soon. But according to one report, carriers are already feeling the pinch.

Research carried out by infrastructure solutions provider Mavenir Systems on behalf of mobileSQUARED suggests that carriers are already finding that third-party solutions are beginning to impact their business, and it’s only going to get worse for the bottom line… Read More

 

CallBar 1.0 Features Seamless iOS 5 Integration

By Jeff Benjamin on Nov 17, 2011

The latest update to CallBar will add seamless iOS 5 integration to the much loved jailbreak tweak.

CallBar 1.0, as it’s being called, is the same CallBar we reviewed back in July, only perfected.

Check inside for a video sneak preview of CallBar 1.0 before it hits Cydia… Read More

 

Skype for iPhone and iPad Updated with Ads, Bluetooth Support, Image Stabilization

By Alex Heath on Sep 27, 2011

Skype has updated its iPhone and iPad apps in the App Store with several new changes and features. Bluetooth headset support has finally been added to Skype for iOS. A “bugfix for security vulnerability” has also been added, making us think that the privacy vulnerability from earlier has been patched.

Anti-shake technology has also been introduced to help stabilize users’ video streams during a call. Skype has also added in-app advertisements for those who haven’t purchased Skype credit… Read More

 

Warning: Skype for iOS Has a Vulnerability that Allows Hackers to Steal Your Data

By Sebastien Page on Sep 20, 2011

If you’re using Skype for iOS version 3.0.1 or older, you might want to think twice before opening messages from people you don’t know. According to a security expert, a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in the Chat section of Skype for iOS on both the iPhone and iPod touch.

Apparently, Skype fails to properly encode the “full name” of the sender of an incoming chat message, allowing the sender to add malicious JavaScript code that can be executed as the message is opened… Read More

 

Skype Launches New WiFi iPhone App For Easy Hotspot Access

By Oliver Haslam on Aug 18, 2011

Public WiFi hotspots have been popping up left and right over the last few years, and while many of them are free, most require a paid fee. The problem what paid, public WiFi networks is that it’s yet another account to set up, and yet another company to trust with your credit card details.

Skype has launched an iOS app that should make things a little easier in the WiFi hotspot department, thanks to Skype WiFi. Formerly known as Skype Access, Skype WiFi allows users to pay for public internet access using their existing Skype credit… Read More

 

New Facebook Messenger App is Hiding a Dirty Secret

By Cody Lee on Aug 10, 2011

In case you missed it, Facebook released a messaging client yesterday afternoon called Facebook Messenger. It’s the company’s first iOS application since the original Facebook app.

From the outside, the Messenger app looks fairly normal. In fact, it bears a striking resemblance to its counterpart in Facebook’s native iOS app. But the folks over at 9to5Mac have just discovered a dirty little secret hiding in the app’s underlying files: video conferencingRead More

 

Skype for iPad Back in the App Store for Good

By Alex Heath on Aug 2, 2011

Skype prematurely launched its iPad app in the App Store last night, and the highly anticipated application was pulled about five hours later. Unless you got your hands on it during that brief window, you missed it for the time being.

In case you didn’t know, Skype relaunched its iPad app in the App Store this morning, and hopefully it will be there to stay. Read More

 
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