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Skype completely redesigns iPhone app
Posted by Ariel Levin-Waldman Categories: Social Networking, App Updates, Free Apps,
Skype has decided to overhaul its iOS app, bringing it to version 5.0. Recently, the communications company has been upgrading its mobile app for other platforms, namely Android and Windows Phone, but until now Apple has been left behind.
The first thing you might notice is the new interface. They have completely changed the looks to bring it in line with the newer iOS design language. The next thing is the software changes. You can now start group chats directly from the central hub and don't have to wait until a friends is online before you can message them. Apparently offline messaging was something that was only developed in 2014.
Skype 5.0 also has some software upgrades that are not obvious upon opening the app. It is better at synching your messages between devices and has had its coding redesigned to work up to five times faster, according to a teaser video released Monday evening.
But after tempting you with all the upgrades and good news, Skype is going to leave you hanging. It will be another week before the new Skype for the iPhone is released to the public.
Read More 
| Skype for iPhone
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Syrian Electronic Army strikes VoIP provider Viber
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Corporate News, Internet,
The Syrian Electronic Army strikes again at another VoIP provider, this time, Viber. We reported the cyber attacks on Tango, now it seems that the pro-Assad militant cyber group claims allegedly that it was able to download backups of Viber's database, which includes but it's not limited to phone numbers, device IDs and, supposedly, push notification tokens. Along with the purported intrusion, some Viber pages have been defaced. Viber has come forward and has stated that the intrusion is mostly harmless to customers of their VoIP services since they claim that the most vital user information is kept in a different database that can't be exploited by outsider threats. As always, Viber requests that 200,000 users be vigilant and report any suspicious activity with their accounts.
Today the Viber Support site was defaced after a Viber employee unfortunately fell victim to an email phishing attack. The phishing attack allowed access to two minor systems: a customer support panel and a support administration system. Information from one of these systems was posted on the defaced page.
It is very important to emphasize that no sensitive user data was exposed and that Viber’s databases were not “hacked”. Sensitive, private user information is kept in a secure system that cannot be accessed through this type of attack and is not part of our support system.
We take this incident very seriously and we are working right now to return the support site to full service for our users. Additionally, we want to assure all of our users that we are reviewing all of our policies to make sure that no such incident is repeated in the future. - Viber
Read More | Arstechnica
Skype for iOS 4.6 brings new interface, improved calling
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Social Networking, App Updates, iPad Apps, Free Apps,
Skype, the popular video and VoIP calling service, has updated its iOS apps for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad to version 4.6. It includes a revamped user interface and improved calling experience. Here's the rundown of the changes:
What's New in Version 4.6
- Beautiful new calling experience
- Mark all your recent chats as read with just a few taps.
- General fixes and improvements
Facebook 5.5 for iOS introduces free voice calling, easier sharing
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Social Networking, App Updates, Free Apps,
Facebook 5.5 for iOS has just been released, and with it comes free voice calling for North American users over Wi-Fi and cellular networks. The feature came to Facebook's separate messaging app a couple of weeks ago, and is now baked in to the full-fledged Facebook iOS experience for users across the US and Canada. After updating, simply open your chat pane by tapping the icon on the upper-right, select a friend, and then select "Free Call." As you'd expect, the person on the other end also needs to be located in North America, and also needs to have the latest Facebook app installed. It's a nice way to make voice calls without tapping into your voice minutes--just make sure to keep an eye on your data plan when you're away from Wi-Fi, no need to try to save on voice minutes, only to rack up massive data usage fees, you feel me?
Facebook 5.4 for iOS adds in-app video recording & audio messaging
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Social Networking, App Updates, Free Apps,
Facebook has updated its main iOS app to version 5.4, adding in-app video recording and audio messaging. Users can now record their cat videos without leaving the Facebook app and have the ability leave cryptic audio recordings when messaging their besties.
Share your moments with voice messages and video recordings right in the app.
- Send voice messages when you have more to say
- Record and share videos right from the app
- Share and connect with your favorite places using the improved Nearby tab
Read More | Facebook
Facebook Messenger iOS App adds free VoIP audio calling
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Social Networking, App Updates, Free Apps,
Hot on the heels of Facebook's event announcing its new Social Graph feature, Facebook Messenger iOS app has been updated to VoIP audio calling functionality for US users. It's interesting since, technically, Facebook uses Skype backend, which is owned by parent company Microsoft. Thus, the collaborative user base is pretty vast. It appears that it is limited only to audio calls, but it is safe to assume that video calling is in the pipeline. VoIP may not use your monthly allotment of cell minutes but it will definitely use your mobile data plan, of course it will not effect your carrier plan if users use a WIFI acces point. The app is a free download available in the App Store.
What’s New in Version 2.1.1
- Back by popular request: Now you can swipe right to archive a conversation again
- Other improvements and bug fixes
*Free calling uses your existing data plan, and will be rolling out over the next few weeks.
Read More | Facebook Messenger
Microsoft to migrate Messenger users to Skype on March 15
Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Corporate News, Microsoft, Software,
Microsoft is officially retiring its Messenger service and will redirect users, and their contacts, to Skype.
According to The Next Web, users will retain access to Microsoft Messenger until March 15th, at which point they will then be prompted to join Skype. The migration will be made with your contacts in tow, so that alleviates some of the stress involved in the changing of hands. Mobile users of Skype will be glad to know that Microsoft account support is already mixed in with the iOS, Android, and Windows Phone 8 to make the transfer as swift as possible.
How do you feel about the death of Messenger? Let us know in the comments.
Read More | The Next Web
Vonage Mobile 1.5 brings Bluetooth and messaging enhancements
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Productivity, Free Apps,
Vonage has released an updated version of its Vonage Mobile app, 1.5, for the iPhone and iPod touch, which includes Bluetooth support and a bunch of messaging features as well. Vonage Mobile allows users to make free VoIP calls to other users on the app on iOS and Android, as well as directly to landline numbers in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico for free (up to 3,000 minutes per month.) The new update allows you to use any Bluetooth headset that works with iOS, and the messaging feature has been enhanced to allow for sharing of contacts, photos, and locations. Call quality and connectivity has been enhanced as well. You can grab Vonage Mobile for free from the App Store.
Click to continue reading Vonage Mobile 1.5 brings Bluetooth and messaging enhancements
Skype for Windows Phone now out of beta
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Microsoft, Software,
It’s been long in the making and long-awaited by many (ever since Microsoft bought Skype,) and now Skype is officially available for Windows Phone. The beta version of Skype has been around since February, but wasn't functional on all Windows Phone devices, according to Skype. However, with its official release, no such warnings exist. You can download Skype from the Windows Phone Marketplace now.
Read More | Skype
Bleeding Edge TV 428: Ooma Telo free home phone service
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Full Episodes, CES, CES 2012, Features, Household, Internet, Podcasts, Videocasts, Videos,
We give you a look at Ooma in this episode. Ooma is a service that provides free phone calls within the United States. All you need to do is buy the Ooma Telo box and connect it to your home network, and you're up and running. Calls within the United States are then completely free. They also have the Ooma Telo handset, which almost acts like a smartphone for your home phone service, and a monthly Ooma Premier service that adds a ton of calling features to your package. You can pick up Ooma products on Amazon.
Big thank you to GoToMeeting and JackThreads for sponsoring the show - be sure to check them out! GoToMeeting provides rich, super-simple collaborative virtual meetings. As for JackThreads, we've got exclusive invite codes that give you $5 to use towards anything you'd like on the site.
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