Latest from Tom's Hardware UK in Video-conferencing

Pilot’s 50-minute in-flight conference call with tech support failed to avert $200 million F-35 fireball — pilot ejected and suffered only minor injuries

Mark Tyson — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 10:12:57 +0000

An accident report has revealed that a U.S. Air Force pilot spent 50 minutes on a conference call with Lockheed Martin engineers ahead of his plane plummeting to the ground and exploding in a fireball. Thankfully, the unnamed pilot ejected safely with just minor injuries, reports CNN, but the $200 million F-35 fighter jet was destroyed.

This incident took place on January 28, near Eielson Air Force Base, Fairbanks, Alaska. Investigations point towards the presence of water in hydraulic lines as the root cause of this military jet crash. But the investigator’s report also suggests the pilot and engineering team’s handling of the landing gear issue could have been better.

Incident timeline: problems became apparent with landing gear

Shortly after take-off, the pilot ran into an issue with the F-35. The landing gear wouldn’t retract correctly, so he sought to lower it again, but it then became locked at an angle, neither retracted nor correctly lowered… Running through operational check lists didn’t remedy the situation.

Sensing the need for assistance, the pilot then decided to consult the experts. He managed to get a group of five Lockheed Martin engineers (the F-35’s makers) to participate in a conference call. According to CNN’s viewing of the incident report, five engineers were on the call: “a senior software engineer, a flight safety engineer, and three specialists in landing gear systems.”

We can’t be sure of the advice given, but next in the chain of dramatic events was the pilot attempting two ‘touch and go’ landings. During these procedures, the idea was to try and straighten out the landing gear. However, the nose wheel still couldn’t be straightened.

Things actually got worse after the two dummy landing attempts. CNN notes that the left and right main landing gears also froze along with the nose wheel.

Now, flying the plane with multiple system errors was bad enough, but the plane then became “uncontrollable” as it started to operate in “automated ground-operation mode.”

Without proper flying mode power or controls, the pilot thus made the decision to eject. The pilot suffered a few minor injuries, but the $200m plane ended up in a fireball.

Post-crash analysis

Microsoft finally retires Skype after 22 years of service

editors@tomshardware.com (Hassam Nasir) — Mon, 05 May 2025 13:57:03 +0000

Following the announcement in late February, Microsoft is finally closing the chapter on Skype. Existing users have been asked to switch to Microsoft Teams, and a data migration window will remain open until January 2026. Microsoft says this decision aligns with its strategy to streamline its communication services and focus primarily on Microsoft Teams.

Genesis

The first public beta for Skype went live in August 2003 and enabled users to call from one PC to another, which was revolutionary at the time. The service further evolved in the following years, with the launch of SkypeOut for traditional landline calls and the introduction of video chatting. This helped grow the platform to 40 million registered users by late 2005. After it was acquired by eBay, which strategically envisaged integrating Skype and its online marketplace, Skype boasted over 405 million registered users by 2008.

Ultimately, these plans didn't unfold as anticipated, and eBay divested Skype to a group of investors for $1.9 billion in 2009, citing miscalculated consumer demand for the service. During this phase, Skype began breaking into the mobile ecosystem, launching its first client for iOS and Android in 2009. It eventually reached a milestone of 27 million simultaneous online users across mobile and desktop. By 2010, Skype was teeming with 660 million registered users globally.

Microsoft Acquisition and Downfall

In 2011, Microsoft acquired Skype for $8.5 billion and integrated it into its core Windows, Xbox, and Outlook services. This propelled Skype to acquire 40% of the international call market share by 2014, yet this peak was fleeting. The following years brought in a surge of competition by the likes of WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. After the pandemic-driven boom subsided, Skype's daily active user count hovered around 36 million, while Teams was able to grab almost 300 million, and that difference is quite telling. It only got worse as Microsoft poured most of its resources into Teams, overshadowing the once-eminent Skype, which had already been losing ground in the market, leading to its eventual retirement today, on May 5th, 2025.

How does this impact existing users?

Skype to finally be shuttered in May, 22 years after its August 2003 launch: Updated

Christopher Harper — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 13:24:16 +0000

Update 2/28 06:51 PT

Its official, Microsoft are shuttering Skype. You've got until May 5 to migrate your chats and contacts over to Microsoft Teams.

Original Article:

Yesterday, a hidden string was discovered in the code for the latest Skype for Windows 11 preview that states "Starting in May, Skype will no longer be available. Continue your calls and chats in Teams.", precluding the imminent retiring of 22 year-old messenger Skype — this information being discovered over at XDA Developers. Since Microsoft Teams is already built over the Skype infrastructure that Microsoft first bought back in 2011, this should be a seamless transition in the long run— but it still marks the death of a classic staple in online messaging platforms.

The recent reports regarding of Skype's future is true. 😢Inside of the Skype Insider version 8.137.76.425 APK located in ./assets/resources/strings, there's a newly added text string that says "Starting in May 2025, Skype will no longer be available."R.I.P Skype 2003-2025 🪦 pic.twitter.com/WJTf5zN1LSFebruary 28, 2025

Skype has its origins back in August of 2003, and in the 22 years since its launch, it has seen a myriad of ports, official and unofficial, to countless devices and operating systems. Skype has appeared on Nokia's Symbian phones, Sony's PlayStation Portable and even HoloLens!

To the say the least, the final death of Skype marks a key turning point in the history of online messengers. The recent pandemic proved that services including Skype were essential during such a dark time. One could argue that the end of Skype is moot, as it continues to exist in a different form through Microsoft Teams.

Once upon a time, Skype was regarded as one of the best messaging apps out there— but its reputation began to sour when it received in-app advertisements in September 2011, after the Microsoft acquisition. While Microsoft would phase out its other communication apps to make Skype a focus, the unwanted addition of advertisements and waves of spam bot slowly but steadily pushed Skype out of the limelight.

As sad as it is to give a post mortem on Skype, we think it's fair to say that this application has long served its purpose in the grand scheme of things. Remote workers have Teams and other messaging applications to make the most of video conferencing and productivity-centered communications. Gamers now have the free-but-intensive Discord, alongside the always-reliable lightweight VoIP clients like Mumble and Teamspeak, to rely on instead of Skype.

Skype and its era of competing messengers including MSN Messenger finally seems to be over. As the industry moves past Skype in the coming months, it will become a footnote in the ongoing history of computing.

Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts Meet Offer Free Features in Response to Coronavirus

Lucian Armasu — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 15:55:53 +0000

Google Hangouts Meet (Image credit: Google)

Both Google and Microsoft announced free access to their teleconference applications and their more advanced features, Hangouts Meet and Microsoft Teams, respectively, for a limited time in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Microsoft Teams Free Trial

Microsoft is offering the premium version of its Teams chat application for enterprises for free over the next six months, as reported by Business Insider. However, when you try to sign up for it you are prompted to speak with a local Microsoft partner to help you set it up. This may create some friction for adopters.

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On March 10, Microsoft will also release an update to the free tier of Teams that will lift restrictions for how many users can be included in a team and allow users to schedule video calls and conferences.

Free Google Hangouts Meet Features

In a blog post Tuesday, Google said that starting this week all G Suite and G Suite for Education customers will be able to host teleconferences that include up to 250 participants per call. They will also be able to livestream for up to 100,000 viewers, plus record videos and store them on Google Drive. Usually those features are only available to the Enterprise edition of G Suite and G Suite for Education, which starts at $25 per user per month, but now every entity with a G Suite account, which starts at $6 per user per month, will be able to use them until July 1.

Both Microsoft and Google have also moved events starting in March to being online only in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Google has also halted international travel for its employees, while Microsoft has started recommending its employees to work from home.

Report: Microsoft Contractors Hear Skype, Cortana Recordings

Nathaniel Mott — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 15:32:02 +0000

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Updated, 8/9/19, 11:10am PT: Microsoft responded to our request for comment with the same statement it sent to Motherboard earlier this week. The company declined to answer further questions about not explicitly informing users their voice recordings might be shared with outside contractors, how it removes personally identifiable information from these recordings, or if it's planning to make any changes to these processes following the revelations from Motherboard's report. We'll continue to monitor the situation to see if Microsoft releases additional information or regulators expand their inquiries into how tech companies handle voice recordings to include Skype Translate and Cortana.

Original article, 8/7/19, 8:32am PT:

Microsoft became the latest tech company to face criticism for having people listen to ostensibly private conversations today, with Motherboard reporting that contractors help train AI using snippets of audio recorded via the Translate feature in Skype, as well as the Cortana voice assistant.

The report was based on information provided by an anonymous Microsoft contractor, who told Motherboard that "some stuff I've heard could clearly be described as phone sex." He also said workers have "heard people entering full addresses in Cortana commands, or asking Cortana to provide search returns on pornography queries." Motherboard also received internal documents, screenshots and audio recordings backing up these claims.

Microsoft is vague about the fact that contractors might listen to audio recordings in its marketing, support documents and privacy policies. The company discloses that it can "analyze" some audio to improve its AI but doesn't explicitly state what that analysis involves. Some people might assume that other AI is being used to double-check existing tools and may not have even considered the possibility of another person listening in.

We reached out to Microsoft for comment in response to Motherboard's report and will update if the company responds. In the meantime, here's the statement it sent Motherboard, which makes it seem like the company doesn't plan to change its handling of audio recordings any time soon:

"Microsoft collects voice data to provide and improve voice-enabled services like search, voice commands, dictation or translation services. We strive to be transparent about our collection and use of voice data to ensure customers can make informed choices about when and how their voice data is used. Microsoft gets customers’ permission before collecting and using their voice data. [...] We also put in place several procedures designed to prioritize users’ privacy before sharing this data with our vendors, including de-identifying data, requiring non-disclosure agreements with vendors and their employees, and requiring that vendors meet the high privacy standards set out in European law. We continue to review the way we handle voice data to ensure we make options as clear as possible to customers and provide strong privacy protections."

Not Again...

This practice isn't--or at least wasn't--limited to Microsoft. Bloomberg reported on Amazon contractors listening to recordings from Alexa in April, VRT NWS reported on similar practices at Google in July and The Guardian followed up a few weeks later, reporting that Apple contractors listened to Siri recordings. Many of the AI-powered services that have become increasingly popular over the last few years were backed up by human workers.

The Hamburg Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information announced on August 1 that it was investigating Google's use of these contractors to improve the AI in Google Assistant. The regulator told Google not to use real-world recordings in this way for at least three months. It mentioned Amazon and Apple in the announcement, too, which meant Google may not be the only company at risk of legal scrutiny.

Amazon and Apple quickly responded to backlash caused by these revelations. Amazon said on August 2 that it would give Alexa users the option to keep recorded audio snippets private, and that same day, Apple said it was temporarily suspending its program while it conducted a thorough review. The default for both services is still potentially invasive, but at least their users will have the option to keep their audio recordings private.

Skype 7 Gets a Stay of Execution

Nathaniel Mott — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 14:08:03 +0000

Source: Microsoft

People don't like change. That's why all hell breaks loose every time Coca-Cola tweaks its recipe, McDonald's removes a menu item, or Walmart decides not to stock a product. The same is true of software; major changes to a tool millions of people use is bound to inspire backlash. Just ask Microsoft, which received so many complaints about Skype 8 that it decided to let people use Skype 7 until all its features are in the new version.

Microsoft released Skype 8 on July 16. The company announced on the same day that Skype 7, which it dubbed Skype classic, would be discontinued on September 1. It makes sense from a development standpoint; continuing to support old software means the new version can't get all the attention it needs. For people who grew used to Skype classic over the years, however, being forced to use Skype 8 was upsetting.

And that might be putting it lightly. Skype users flooded the app with one-star reviews on various platforms after Skype 8's debut, with many complaining about the new interface, which made the app look more like a modern messaging app than ever before. The inclusion of cute emojis, neon colors and enough white space to paint a picture stood in stark contrast to the previous version's dated, but familiar, user interface.

Those complaints overshadowed the improvements made with Skype 8, including the ability to make free HD video calls or easily share files up to 300MB in size with a drag-and-drop system. Microsoft wanted to streamline the Skype experience, but it seems that many of the app's users would prefer it if the company just improved on Skype's existing features instead of introducing so many new features under the same name.

Apparently enough people complained for Microsoft to give Skype classic a stay of execution. The company said it would be extending support for Skype 7 "for some time" and that people could use that version of the app "until then." That isn't a particularly detailed announcement--technically Microsoft would be within its rights to kill Skype classic tomorrow--but it should at least temporarily appease Skype 7's supporters.

Signal Users' 'Disappearing Messages' Are Saved Indefinitely On macOS

Lucian Armasu — Thu, 10 May 2018 16:15:00 +0000

Signal Desktop

According to reports from users, Signal’s “disappearing messages” (self-destructing messages) are not actually disappearing on macOS machines.

Signal’s Disappearing Messages

Signal's developers introduced the disappearing messages feature two years ago, which was a good complement to the app’s end-to-end encryption, leading to increased user privacy.

Signal’s best privacy feature remains end-to-end encryption, because that’s what’s actually keeping the messages private and limited to the people in the conversation. Not even the Signal team can see those messages, nor can anyone who may hack its servers.

Without end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages wouldn’t offer too much privacy, because both the Signal team or malicious parties hacking its servers could get those messages. However, when the two features are used together, the users are first guaranteed that their messages are private, and then that any hacker who may attempt to hack their own devices won’t have too big a window to steal those messages. Disappearing messages can be set from 5 seconds to 1 week.

Why macOS Stores Signal’s Messages

The issue here seems to be related to macOS’ notification system, which copies the messages you get from Signal (and presumably from other messengers, too). That means that even if you set the messages to disappear in one hour or one day, you may still see the messages in the Notification Center several days later, as Alec Muffet, the user who first noticed this issue, claimed happened to him.

The Notification Center was introduced in OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) to help you “catch up on notifications you missed,” as Apple said at the time. Signal, like other messengers, integrates with the Notification Center so that users can see the messages they receive even when their app is not open in the foreground.

This macOS feature essentially nullifies the disappearing messages feature of Signal.

Fixing Signal's Disappearing Messages On macOS

Apple could probably update its Notification Center so that when the user or the app itself deletes the messages, then they also disappear from the Notification Center.

However, in the meantime, Signal's developers should be able to code the same thing into their app, or simply disable the integration with the Notification Center altogether, if nothing else works.

Using the Notification Center for an app such as Signal is also a little risky, because in the future Apple may start syncing those messages to its cloud servers, as it tries to offer more convenience features to users.

At that point, Signal’s end-to-end privacy guarantees would be as weakened as they are in iMessage, where everyone’s messages are uploaded to Apple’s servers by default as “backup.” However, that also means Apple, malicious actors hacking Apple’s servers, or law enforcement can gain access to those messages.

It's Not Just You, Skype Is Down

Nathaniel Mott — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 14:40:00 +0000

Someone get us a flock of carrier pigeons or start a signal fire. Skype's instant messaging service has been up and down all morning, and even though Microsoft has said that it's "actively looking into" the problem, we already feel like a lonely island lost in a sea of unsent messages.

Alright, maybe the situation isn't as dire as all that. But Skype is currently unstable--we've noticed this morning that messages will be "Waiting" to send, be marked as "Sent," and then either disappear into the void or go back to "Waiting." Microsoft's Skype app for Windows 10 doesn't warn about this failure--you have to look at the itty-bitty text in the bottom-right corner of each message to figure out if it was actually sent.

Here's the extent of the information Microsoft has shared about the issue so far on its support page:

ActiveWe have identified an incident affecting our services and are actively looking into it.Update time:April 26, 2018, 9:28 AM by LeonasStart time:April 26, 2018, 9:00 AMAffected services:Instant messagingDescriptionSome users might be experiencing problems with instant messages (chat). There might be delays with sending or syncing messages.

You can keep an eye on that support page for more information. We'll also be on the lookout for Microsoft's explanation. Surely there's something sinister afoot--it's not like online services ever experience unexplained disruptions, right? In the meantime, you can either pretend not to have read this piece and enjoy the silence, or start collecting all the kindling you need to communicate with your far-flung colleagues.

'Skype & Type' Attack Shows Feasability Of Acoustic Eavesdropping In VoIP Calls

Lucian Armasu — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 17:15:00 +0000

Security researchers from the University of California, Irvine; the Sapienza University of Rome; and the University of Padua were able to reconstruct the sound of keystrokes as text from Skype voice and video calls. Malicious eavesdroppers could use this method to intercept sensitive and personal information of Skype users.

Acoustic Eavesdropping

Over the past few years, there has been more research into how keystroke sounds could be converted into the text that the surveillance target wrote at the time of the recording. However, those previous demonstrated attacks were not especially practical in the real world, according to the researchers of the current study.

In the previous studies, the attackers would need to be in close proximity to the target. They also needed to have precise profiling of the victim’s typing style and keyboard, as well as a significant amount of the victim’s typed information and its corresponding sounds.

Skype & Type

The researchers developed a new type of practical keyboard acoustic eavesdropping attack, which they called “Skype & Type” (S&T). The idea behind this research was that many people do other activities, such as typing on their keyboards, while they do VoIP (Voice-over-IP) calls.

According to the researchers’ paper, VoIP software can acquire acoustic emanations of pressed keystrokes and then transmit them to others in the call. Normally, this wouldn’t be an issue if you trust the person on the other side of the line, but calls can be intercepted, and the eavesdropper could be capturing the VoIP users’ keystrokes.

An attacker could capture keystrokes this way with an accuracy of 41.89% if there is absolutely no knowledge of the keyboard being used or of the target’s typing style. However, the accuracy goes up to 91.7% if there is some knowledge about the keyboard used and the user’s typing behavior. The researchers also noted that the “Skype & Type” attack is resilient against various bandwidth issues, confirming the feasibility of the attack.

Future Research

The researchers tested the attack only on a few laptops so far, which they thought would be a representative sample. Skype is also likely the most often used VoIP application on the desktop, so it made sense to test that application first. However, in the future, the researchers plan to use more laptop models to verify whether this attack can work well enough across all laptops.

They also plan to test other applications such as Google’s Hangouts, and also create countermeasures to the attack they've already developed, so Microsoft, Google, and other companies can protect their users from this type of eavesdropping.

Skype To End Support For Older Versions Of Android And Windows (Updated)

Michael Justin Allen Sexton — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 19:40:00 +0000

Skype announced that it would end support for some Windows-based smartphones and older versions of Android.

Pre-Windows 10 smartphones, such as Windows version 8.0 and 8.1, and all Android devices with Android 4.02 or older, will no longer be supported by Skype as of October. Skype said that it was necessary to end support for these devices to focus on improving the user experience on other more heavily used platforms.

The company’s aim is to improve call quality, add new features and improve the overall performance and stability of its software on the devices that it continues to support. Some users negatively impacted by this end of support will be able to continue using Skype via the recently launched Skype for Web platform, but this may not be an option for certain older and slower devices.

As Microsoft owns Skype, this is a somewhat surprising move. Although it could be that the company simply feels confident in its web-based alternative for Windows smartphones, it could also signal that Microsoft is narrowing its focus in the mobile market. Microsoft recently laid off 1,350 employees from its Nokia division and another 500 from its in-house smartphone division this year.

If you need Skype on your smartphone, and it doesn’t support Windows 10, iOS or Android 4.03 or newer, you may have little choice but to upgrade to a new smartphone.

EDIT: July 21, 2016, 6:00 AM PST - Amended article to note that Skype still supports Windows 10.

Skype For Web Now Supports Plugin-Free Voice And Video Calls (In Edge)

Lucian Armasu — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 17:55:00 +0000

Microsoft announced that starting today Skype for Web, as well as the Outlook.com, Office Online and OneDrive services, will support plugin-free voice, video and group video calling in the Edge browser.

The company uses the technology called Object Real-Time Communications (ORTC), which is a simpler and more powerful part of the WebRTC protocol that Microsoft adopted in Edge last fall.

Skype for Web launched last year, but so far you could only chat to other people. If you wanted to do voice calls and video calls, you had to install a plugin as well. Now, thanks to the WebRTC and ORTC technologies, voice and video calls can be done directly in the browser. The downside is that for now, this only works in the Edge browser.

Other browsers haven’t implemented ORTC yet, or if they have, they don’t support the h.264 video codec, which Microsoft has chosen for Skype for Web video calls. Microsoft could’ve also supported the VP9 codec in its service, because it has already integrated support for it in Edge. This would’ve allowed Skype for Web to work fully in Chrome, as well. However, Microsoft seems to prefer h.264 over VP9 right now, even though it can use almost twice as much bandwidth as VP9.

This decision may have something to do with the fact that VP9 is not hardware-accelerated on most devices yet, which means it requires more processing power for the real-time videos to be decoded, which can also consume more battery life. The company said in a previous blog post that it will work on supporting VP8, Google’s previous generation codec, in the future.

Either way, Chrome should support h.264 for WebRTC video calls soon, and Firefox has supported it for a while. Safari has also started working on WebRTC support recently, so it may not be long until Skype for Web works there as well. Microsoft expects Skype for Web to work across the major browsers in the next few months.

In the meantime, Skype for Web will work without a plugin for the Edge browser in Windows 10 version 10.0.10586 and above.

Lucian Armasu is a Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware. You can follow him at @lucian_armasu.

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Skype Co-Founder Launches End-To-End Encrypted 'Wire' App

Lucian Armasu — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 14:40:00 +0000

A group of former Skype, Apple and Microsoft employees, backed by Skype’s co-founder Janus Friis, created a Skype alternative called “Wire” back in 2014, which wasn’t end-to-end encrypted at the time. The team announced that the latest version of the app brings open source end-to-end encryption from everything to chats to video calls, as well as multi-device end-to-end encryption.

State-Of-The-Art-Encryption

When Wire launched at the end of 2014, its main promised advantage over Skype and other messengers was the “crystal clear voice.” However, this doesn’t seem to have been enough for the app to pick up steam, which is why it has received a major encryption upgrade by adopting the open source Axolotl protocol.

The protocol was first created and adopted by the team behind the fully open source Signal app. It was quickly considered the state-of-the-art in encryption protocols for messengers, because it offered strong end-to-end encryption, the ability to send end-to-end encrypted messages to offline users, and end-to-end encrypted group chats.

Since then, the protocol has been adopted by Whatsapp (although the company never officially announced it, and it doesn’t allow users to verify each other cryptographically), Silent Phone, and ChatSecure (a popular privacy-focused app for iOS and Android).

For voice and video calls, Wire uses the same DTLS and SRTP encryption standards found in the peer-to-peer WebRTC protocol. The protocol has its weaknesses, but it’s still a step up from the centralized video-call services implemented by Skype or Hangouts, which could more easily intercepted.

Protected By Strong Privacy Laws

Wire is headquartered in Switzerland and Germany, two of the most privacy-friendly countries in the world. The app benefits from the strong privacy laws of both nations, as well as the European Union’s Data Protection regulation.

As the the governments of U.S., UK, and even France become increasingly more aggressive towards encryption, more and more companies that actually care about their users’ privacy seem to be moving to either Germany or Switzerland, where the chance to be strong-armed into backdooring their services is much lower. If that were to happen, at least the companies would have those countries’ privacy-friendly Constitutions on their side, and could have a high chance of winning such battles in Court.

Comparison With Other Apps

All of Wire’s encryption is open source, but its user interface is closed source, which means vulnerabilities could still be introduced potentially without the user being able to find out about them. At some level you still have to trust the team behind it to not do nefarious things, but this can be more easily achieved when the company takes so many privacy-friendly measures, including being headquartered in privacy-friendly countries. This is more than most other messaging companies are willing to do.

Although it’s not fully open source the way Signal is, it’s a little more complete because it offers video calls, making it more of a true Skype alternative. This makes it the best overall private messenger for the masses at present.

For those who are really worried about their privacy or worried that they are targets of various governments, Signal would still be a better choice. However, it seems the more time passes, the more we see “mainstream” chat applications get closer to the ideal in security and privacy, which can only be good news for everyone.

Lucian Armasu is a Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware. You can follow him at @lucian_armasu.

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Skype Service Restored, Microsoft Apologizes

Derek Forrest — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 17:15:00 +0000

Microsoft is facing the music for its most recent blunder: a massive Skype service disruption that affected its entire network. The outage was definitely an inconvenience for many, but to its credit, Microsoft provided full disclosure for the incident, and even offered an apology.

Microsoft claimed that it released a "larger-than-usual" configuration change that some versions of Skype were unable to deploy correctly. This caused users to be disconnected from the network, and the heavy traffic triggered by so many clients attempting to reconnect produced network-wide service interruption of Skype's free services, including messaging, presence and contact list management.

Skype for Business customers were reportedly not affected.

Microsoft worked quickly to address the issue by re-balancing the traffic load, and by midnight GMT, the issue was resolved and free Skype users could once again place calls, send IMs and manipulate their contact lists.

If it weren't for the fact that Microsoft actually took the time to address this problem and issue an official apology, most of us would have likely forgotten about the inconvenience shortly. All too often, large software companies break something, fix it, and say little to nothing about it. However, owning up to the problem and going so far as to apologize for it is refreshingly humanizing for Microsoft, which at times can seem omnipotent, uncaring and unrepentant when it comes to other software-related issues from the company (cue the Windows 8 jokes).

The apology itself seemed over the top, which we read as indicative of legitimate sincerity.

"No matter how quickly we were able to resolve this issue, it would not have been quick enough," read the blog post. "We know many of you needed to use Skype during the outage, and finding that you couldn't would have been incredibly frustrating. We are extremely sorry for any inconvenience caused to our users, and appreciate your patience while we addressed the issue."

Skype appears to be fixed, and let it not be said Microsoft didn't take this outage to heart.

Follow Derek Forrest @TheDerekForrest. Follow us @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.

Skype Appears To Be Broken (Update: It's Back)

Derek Forrest — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 15:20:00 +0000

You may have noticed some difficulty using Microsoft's popular communication software, Skype. Don't worry, you aren't the only one. Skype appears to be broken for the time being, with reports of strange malfunctioning and connectivity issues.

"We have detected an issue that is affecting Skype in a number of ways," stated an official post. "We're doing everything we can to fix this issue and hope to have another update for you soon." These issues seem to be dependent on whether or not you are already logged into Skype and include being unable to change your status and all of your contacts appearing as "offline." If you cannot see your contacts as online, you cannot place Skype calls to them.

Users who aren't already logged in may have difficulty logging in, and profile changes such as credit balance or profile details may take longer to display. In addition, a small number of group chat messages are not being delivered, although in most cases you can still instant message individual contacts. Web pages on the Skype Community may have trouble loading, as well.

Skype insists it is doing everything it can to resolve the problems, and it hopes to have another update on the subject soon. In the meantime, it appears the system is down, and it's currently unknown how long Skype users will have to deal with this inconvenient lapse in communication. We will update this article as more information becomes available.

Update, 9/22/15, 12:35pm PT: Skype's back. From the link above: "[UPDATE September 21 2015 23:53 GMT] Skype services have been fully restored."

Follow Derek Forrest @TheDerekForrest. Follow us @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.

Skype Translator Coming To Windows Desktop Client Late Summer

Kevin Parrish — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 18:15:00 +0000

Skype's Yasmin Khan said in a company blog that Skype Translator technology will begin to roll out to Skype for Windows desktop by the end of summer 2015. Currently, Skype Translator supports four spoken languages (English, Italian, Mandarin and Spanish) and 50 instant messaging languages.

Skype users on Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 Technical Preview not wanting to wait for the desktop client rollout can download and install the standalone Skype Translator "preview" from Windows Store here. The company removed the sign-up requirement back in May, which according to Khan led to a 300 percent increase in Skype Translator usage.

"Skype Translator uses machine learning, so the more people use the technology, the better the experience for everyone!" Khan said. Skype Translator Preview was originally released back in December 2014.

To use Skype Translator, customers open the program, choose a friend, toggle on "Translator" and then select the friend's native language. For a better experience, customers are encouraged to use a headset with a built-in microphone, to speak clearly, and wait for the translation to finish before speaking or typing again.

Obviously, the end result should provide both translated speech (if supported) and translated text. However, if Translator doesn't hear the user correctly, he/she can correct the translation in the chat window. As Khan pointed out, the translation aspect will get better as the software learns how Skype users are talking to each other. Naturally, the more people use this feature, the better Translator will get.

News of Skype Translator arrives after the beta of Skype for Web was launched in North America and the UK on Friday. To take advantage of this client, users merely head to Skype.com, click on the link and sign in with their usual login credentials. This solution is ideal for Skype users who are accessing a computer that's located in a friend's home or in an internet café, or for those who simply don't want the Skype app installed on their computer or mobile device.

To see how Skype Translator works, head here.

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Skype For Business Debuts This Month For Office 2013 Users

Kevin Parrish — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 16:50:00 +0000

Microsoft updated the official Office blog with news that the Skype for Business client is no longer in beta (aka Technical Preview) and will make its debut this month in the April update for Office 2013. For customers using Office 365, Microsoft has also green-lighted Skype for Business Online, which is rolling out now and is expected to be fully distributed by the end of next month.

So what is Skype for Business and how is it different from the consumer version? It's a "communications and collaboration platform" according to the company, providing services such as instant messaging, voice and video calls, and online meetings. However, it also includes "enterprise-grade security, compliance and control," the blog said.

"Skype for Business is based on the familiar Skype experience that more than 300 million people use every month to connect with friends and family," the blog said. "It is built right into Office, so features like presence, IM, voice and video calls, and online meetings are an integrated part of the Office experience."

Microsoft provided an FAQ in its report stating that Skype for Business will automatically replace Lync Online for Office 365 customers. For those still using the Lync client, Skype for Business will become the default client by the end of May. Microsoft's blog also said that administrators will have the ability to switch from the Lync user interface to the new Skype for Business interface should companies need more time to adjust to the new client.

Microsoft provided two plans for Skype for Business. Online Plan 1 costs $2.00 per user per month and includes presence and group instant messages, the ability to transfer files in an instant message, and audio and HD video calling. Office Plan 2 is $5.50 per month and adds to group HD video calling, the ability to join meetings from desktop and web browsers, desktop application and whiteboard sharing, and more.

Skype for Business is also included in Server 2015. This version contains everything Online Plan 2 provides except for interoperability with third-party dial-in conferencing partners. However, this version provides persistent chat, dial-in audio conferencing, enterprise voice functionality and interoperability with video teleconferencing systems.

Companies looking for the nearest Skype for Business partner can head here. These partners can get Skype for Business up and running on your network and can even help deploy and manage the service.

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Skype Competitor Wire Updates App From User Feedback

Seth Colaner — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 18:10:00 +0000

The new VoIP service known as Wire announced today that it will be launching a major update to the application later this week. We went hands on with the service when it initially launched, and since then Wire has taken feedback from its users and now plans to improve the program accordingly.

One of the most obvious changes users will notice is that they can now use their profile pictures for the application wallpaper. This idea arose because the creators wanted to give the service a more unique and personalized look. The darker themes and layouts of Wire are expected to remain placed over background images, allowing for the application to maintain its sleek black appearance while also giving it a polished, user-defined look.

The update also addresses a major issue the initial release had with the way text appeared. Many users reported difficulties with the text in conversations; it was difficult to tell where one message stopped and the next began, and the overall legibility of the text was an issue. To resolve this, the developers plan to implement a few changes common in other competing instant messengers.

The background is blurred so as to not mix in with the conversation. The text size has been changed, and spacing has been improved to create better division. To make the split between messages even more prominent, the user's picture will appear beside the text they type. That's nothing too uncommon in the world of instant messengers, but these tricks do work and will fix the text issues in conversations.

The last series of changes apply to the application interface and general functionality. According to Wire's blog post, several users felt the gesture controls were problematic in some places. The solution was adding simple icons to allow easier, more precise handling when navigating through settings, as well as the ability to open conversations with a single touch.

Gesture controls remain present for all functions, though, and users can use either gestures or icons. Other changes to the app include some stability and performance enhancements, bug fixes and other minor adjustments.

The updated version of Wire will be out later this week for iOS and Mac OS X, and it's out now for Android. Unfortunately, there is still no release for Windows users currently available, but this update should at least be a major improvement for Apple and Android users.

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Google Translate To Receive Live Voice Translation, Just Like Skype

Lucian Armasu — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 23:00:00 +0000

Only a month ago, Microsoft announced its "Skype Translator" tool that could translate live from English to Spanish and vice versa. Now, Google Translate, which could already translate text from dozens of languages, is about to receive the same kind of upgrades. When we can start talking to someone else that speaks another language, and we can use a tool that translates everything automatically, that seems like the beginning of being able to truly break the language barrier.

Both the current Google Translate service and Microsoft's Skype Translator aren't perfect when it comes to the accuracy of the translation, so it remains to be seen if Google has any improvements on that front as well, at least for a few main languages. Google says that 80-90 percent of the web uses only 10 languages.

Perfect translation from one language to another has been a problem that computer scientists have been trying to solve for decades, and we're unlikely to see Google come up with perfect translation even for a single pair of languages in the next few years. However, any significant improvements are welcome, as they make talking to foreigners that much easier.

Along with the live translation for voice, Google will also integrate the technology it received when it acquired the company behind the Word Lens app. Word Lens was an application for both iOS and Android that would translate automatically what you see on road signs that you would encounter in other countries. Google Translate will soon have this technology built-in.

There are also some privacy worries about this type of technology. One is about what this could mean for using voice as a biometric form of authentication. If you lock your devices using voice commands in the future, but you also have your voice stored on Google's or Microsoft's servers, those voice patterns could be hacked and then used to log into your devices. Google said that one solution for this could be using a more generic voice to translate what you're saying. However, that doesn't address having the company store your own voice before the translation happens.

Google hasn't said when the new update will arrive, other than "soon," and it also hasn't said whether this automatic translation feature will arrive in other Google apps and services, such as Hangouts. However, if successful, it may only be a matter of time before we see it in many of Google's products.

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Microsoft Launches Skype Translator Preview

Kevin Parrish — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 21:10:00 +0000

On Monday, Microsoft launched the preview version of a new Skype feature that translates one spoken language into another in near real-time. Available only on the Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 Technical Preview clients, Skype Translate launches with the ability to translate spoken English and Spanish along with support for over 40 instant messaging languages. Skype users interested in giving Translate a try can head here to register for the preview.

"Skype Translator is a great example of the benefit of Microsoft's investment in research," said Skype Corporate Vice President Gurdeep Pall. "We've invested in speech recognition, automatic translation and machine learning technologies for more than a decade, and now they're emerging as important components in this more personal computing era. Skype Translator is the most recent and visible example."

Pall said that Skype Translate depends on machine learning. Thus, Skype Translate will only get better as more and more people begin to use the service. In addition to Spanish and English, users will eventually be able to translate Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), French, Italian, Korean, Russian, German, Japanese, Portuguese and more.

According to the blog, two schools have made use of Skype Translate: Peterson School in Mexico City and Stafford Elementary School in Tacoma, USA. Both classes were tasked to figure out where the other class is located using the preview service. Both classes also spoke in their native language, making it hard to determine the origins of each class.

Microsoft acquired Skype from an investor group led by Silver Lake back in May 2011. The company paid a whopping $8.5 billion in cash for the popular VoIP/IM service and indicated that Skype would support Microsoft services such as Xbox Live, Kinect, Windows Phone, Lync and a number of other services and devices. The company also promised to continue dumping funds into Skype running on platforms not owned by Microsoft.

Skype's Mo Ladha and Chris Wendt talked more about the technology behind Skype Translate on the Garage Blog. The process is broken down in a graphic embedded within a PDF, showing that the translation engine will remove the "ums," "ahs," stutters and repetitions before the original speech is translated. The image also reveals that the engine has learned how languages align with each other by reviewing "millions of pieces" of content that was previously translated.

"Increased usage and user feedback, plus constant refinement by human transcribers, help Skype Translator learn and get better," read the PDF.

Skype Translator was originally introduced back in the end of May by Pall and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Pall said that Skype Translate "results from decades of work by the industry, years of work by our researchers, and now is being developed jointly by the Skype and Microsoft Translator teams." The demo showed Pall talking with a German friend; he spoke in English and the friend spoke in her native tongue.

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Skype Co-Founder Launches Wire, A Skype Competitor

Kevin Parrish — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 22:35:00 +0000

Since its launch more than 10 years ago, Skype has become the primary tool for making VoIP calls and instant messages. Microsoft scooped up Skype from eBay back in 2011 for a meaty $8.5 billion, and now Skype's co-founder Janus Friis has revealed a new tool that will compete directly with Skype. Called Wire, the service is now available for iOS 8 and above, OS X 10.9 and above, and Android 4.2 and above.

"Skype was launched more than a decade ago. A lot has changed since then -- we are all used to free calls and texting, and we have taken to carrying our computers in our pockets," said Friis. "It is time to create the best possible communication tools, as beautiful as they are useful. Wire is just that."

The company behind the new app revealed on Tuesday that the team is comprised of more than 50 people stemming from Apple, Microsoft, Nokia and Skype. For instance, Jonathan Christensen, Wire's co-founder and CEO, previously held "leadership roles" while at Microsoft and Skype. Wire CTO Alan Duric previously co-founded Camino and Telio.

According to the company, Wire users will be able to share images, YouTube video and SoundCloud music, and they'll be able to do VoIP calling and individual and group instant messaging. The team delivers on its promise to create an app for tomorrow's phones and tablets, offering a beautiful, elegant presentation that allows the user to focus on the communications and media, not the app's interface.

The FAQ revealed that Wire is currently free for everyone and ad-free. That means users can place calls with anyone around the world; all they need is an Internet connection and a friend on their list. Eventually, the team will introduce premium features that will cost money, as well as add support for HTML5, WebRTC and real-time video chat.

To start a call, users simply click on the name of the person displayed in the friends list, and then click on the phone icon. To end the call, users must click on the X in the upper left corner. To transfer the call to another device, users must click on the "Transfer Call Here" button found on a banner flashing on the other device. Free calls require that both parties use Wire.

News of the new VoIP chat client arrives after Skype for Web went into beta last month. The service can now be used in Internet Explorer 10 and up, Safari 6 and up, Firefox, and Chrome for Windows. All Skype members need to do is head over to Skype.com and grab the appropriate browser plug-in.

Prior to that report, Microsoft revealed in October that as part of the WebRTC standard, the company is now supporting the new Object Real-Time Communications (ORTC) API. This will allow Skype users to chat and make calls directly from Internet Explorer without the need for a browser plug-in.

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Skype For Web Beta Coming, Half-Baked For Chromebooks

Seth Colaner — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 21:55:00 +0000

Skype for Web is now in beta, and bringing all of the desktop application's capabilities to your favorite web browser. Skype for Web will work on Internet Explorer 10 and up, as well as the latest versions of Chrome (on Windows), Firefox, and Safari 6 (and newer). All you'll need to do to enable Skype capabilities in your browser is log in to Skype.com and install a "small plug-in."

One platform that is glaringly absent from the above list is the Chrome OS version of the Chrome web browser. To put it bluntly, that's a bummer, because one of the features missing from Chromebooks is Skype capabilities (yeah, we know, you can do Google Hangouts), and as Chrome OS is built specifically to take advantage of web-based products and tools, "Skype for Web" would seem to be perfect for it.

The question here is why Chrome OS was snubbed, and although it's tempting to connect the dots -- Microsoft owns Skype, Chromebooks are pounding Windows PC market share -- the reality is that Microsoft is actively working toward a plug-in-free Skype future, which ostensibly would allow Chromebooks to run Skype for Web, too.

Microsoft and Google, actually, are both involved in the W3C ORTC Community Group, which is developing the Object Real-Time Communications (ORTC) API for WebRTC to enable communications on web browsers without the need for a plug-in. (See previous coverage.) Although at this point it seems that the group is working primarily with Internet Explorer, the fact that Google is on board should indicate that this isn't merely a Microsoft joint, as it were.

So what of Chromebook functionality for the time being? Mary Jo Foley wrote that Chromebooks will indeed be able to use Skype for Web's IM capabilities, but there's not yet a plug-in for voice and video calls on the Chrome OS browser. That's (sort of) good news for Chromebook users.

In a blog post, Skype's Jonathan Watson said that the Skype for Web beta will be rolling out to a "small number of existing and new users" at first, with wider availability coming within months. If you get tapped to participate, you'll get a notice when you log in to your account on Skype.com.

As you might expect, though, there are already known issues with the beta; on Macs, running Skype for Web apparently drags on the battery too much, and on all browsers, outgoing calls seem to be slower to connect than through the desktop application.

We've reached out to Skype for additional clarification regarding Chromebook functionality.

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Skype Coming To The Web Soon, But Only For IE

Lucian Armasu — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 21:15:00 +0000

Microsoft announced today that it's supporting the new ORTC API as part of WebRTC standard, and it has begun work to implement it in the Internet Explorer browser. This will eventually lead to IE users being able to make Skype calls directly from the browser, without needing to install the Skype application or any browser plugin.

There's just one catch: it will only work with IE (possibly version 11+, or even 12+), at least for now. The ORTC API, that Microsoft is adopting, is similar but incompatible with the WebRTC standard that IETF and W3C have chosen as the browser-based P2P video-chat technology that doesn't require any plugins. WebRTC was created to work with traditional telecom lines, and it contains some complex legacy code. If developers want to change certain controls, they can't do so without browser-level modifications.

ORTC (Object RTC), on the other hand, is completely based on Javascript code, and it is much easier to implement by third party developers in their video-chat web apps.

ORTC also has one other feature Microsoft cares deeply about since it created the WebRTC-competing standard, CU-RTC (Customizable, Ubiquitous Real-Time Communication) – the ability to use other codecs than Google's open source VP8 codec, which was also chosen by the IETF standards body. Microsoft wanted to be able to use the h.264 codec instead, so it created the CU-RTC API.

Unfortunately for Microsoft that initiative never took off, but the new ORTC already has a strong W3C community formed by 80 companies. Because ORTC allows Microsoft to use the h.264 codec, the company supported the ORTC project from early on. However, even Google, one of WebRTC's biggest supporters, is now a member of the ORTC group; however, it hasn't said when it plans to adopt it in Chrome.

The new version of WebRTC 1.1 will maintain compatibility with the old WebRTC standard, but video-chat web app developers will be encouraged to transition to using the ORTC standard. To have truly interoperable P2P video-chat from browser to browser, Firefox and Safari will also have to adopt ORTC. Mozilla is likely to follow Google and adopt it, too, but whether Apple will implement it in Safari remains to be seen.

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Microsoft Launches Skype Qik For Video Sharing

Kevin Parrish — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 17:20:00 +0000

On Tuesday, the Skype blog was updated with news that Microsoft has launched Skype Qik, a new social app that makes sending short videos extremely easy. The app is free and available now on the Apple App Store, Google Play and the Windows Phone Store.

So what's the point of this new service when Skype is capable of video calls? Skype Qik allows the user to be creative, spontaneous and have fun sending short videos to friends and family. As the blog states, capturing and sharing video is effortless.

After installing the app, users are encouraged to shoot their first forty-second video. After that, users pick the recipients and then send the video on its way. If the recipient doesn't have Skype Qik, then they are provided with a text message inviting that contact to join.

Once the message is sent, the main interface displays a red virtual button to activate the camera, as well as panels showing the stored messages (see below). These videos are deleted in two weeks, indicating that the videos may be stored locally on devices instead of in a central location, which is a good thing.

Don't have time to reply with a full video? Skype Qik also allows users to take five-second "Flicks" clips in a GIF format. The app already has a few installed, but users can create their own and keep them stored indefinitely on their device. Users can store up to 12 Qik Flicks GIF images.

"This is just our first release," the blog said. "We're excited to see how you'll use Qik and we'll be working on new features inspired by your feedback."

Skype acquired video-streaming service Qik back in 2011 for $150 million. Formerly located in Redwood City, California, Qik was known for providing a two-way video conferencing app for mobile devices, and for providing means for customers to share their videos with each other through email, SMS, social websites, on the Qik website and more.

Does the new Skype Qik seem a little scary? After all, these videos, which again are stored for two weeks, show where the user has been. Of course, so do photographs, but this service provides 40-second windows into the lives of its users… and possibly others not wanting to be captured in video.

The good news here is that once the user deletes a video stored on the mobile device, it's erased on all other devices too. Then again, Microsoft has this to say about video deletion: "It may be possible for recipients to capture and save videos elsewhere before they are deleted from Qik."

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Microsoft Demos Real-Time Translation in Skype

Kevin Parrish — Wed, 28 May 2014 17:46:00 +0000

Gurdeep Singh Pall, corporate vice president of Skype and Lync at Microsoft, updated The Official Microsoft Blog with news that Microsoft plans to release a real-time translator for Skype on Windows 8 by the end of 2014. The tech was demoed Tuesday night during the inaugural Code Conference featuring Kara Swisher, Walt Mossberg and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

"Today, we have more than 300 million connected users each month, and more than 2 billion minutes of conversation a day as Skype breaks down communications barriers by delivering voice and video across a number of devices, from PCs and tablets, to smartphones and TVs," Pall writes. "But language barriers have been a blocker to productivity and human connection; Skype Translator helps us overcome this barrier."

In a video demo located here, Pall demonstrates Skype Translator in action as he talks to his German colleague. He doesn't speak German, so during the test he spoke in English; the app translated his sentences into German using a male voice. On the other end, his German friend Diana Heinrichs spoke in her native language while Skype translated her responses into English using a female voice. Skype also provided the converted text along with the original sentences at the bottom of the screen.

"It is early days for this technology, but the Star Trek vision for a Universal Translator isn't a galaxy away, and its potential is every bit as exciting as those Star Trek examples," Pall writes. "Skype Translator opens up so many possibilities to make meaningful connections in ways you never could before in education, diplomacy, multilingual families and in business."

Re/code reports that Microsoft will start with a "handful" of languages, and hopes to quickly add additional languages in the near future. Microsoft also wants to support the numerous smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktops that already use Skype.

"In our industry, we often talk about pursuing big, bold dreams, and of how we're limited only by the power of our imaginations. Skype Translator is one of those endeavors," Pall writes.

Google Hangouts Rumored to Be Eating Google Voice

Jane McEntegart — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 14:00:00 +0000

Google's Hangouts service has slowly been improving since its launch. However, to evolve, Hangouts has had to absorb some already established services (like Google Talk, or the default SMS app on Android 4.4). Now, it looks like Hangouts might subsume another Google service.

According to the latest rumors, Google will soon integrate Google's 5-year-old telecommunications service Google Voice. Hangouts users can already make calls, but they don't have access to all the functionality offered by Google Voice (the service currently allows users to call PC-to-PC, PC to phone, send texts and voicemails and also offers voicemail transcriptions). 9to5 Google writes that this could change pretty soon. Apparently, Google will fully integrate Voice into Hangouts. Google will then shutdown Google Voice completely.

Google hasn't confirmed (or denied) the report, but 9to5 Google says the announcement is 'months out.' It'll be interesting to see how users respond to the change. While turning Google Hangouts into a sort of unified communications platform certainly makes sense for Google, not all users will be happy to have everything crammed into one service. Sure, it's more streamlined, but it also forces users to use the full suite as opposed to the specific service they want.

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Can BBM Beat Skype With New Voice Calling and Channels?

Kevin Parrish — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 00:56:00 +0000

Look out Skype, it looks as if BlackBerry is trying to eat into your market share with the popular BlackBerry Messenger (BBM). A new version of the messaging client has landed on iOS and Android, and it's packed full of new goodies including free voice calling to other BBM users over a wireless connection.

In addition to the free calling, the new BBM also introduces BBM Channels. These are active, real conversations between people, brands and communities. BBM users can create their own channel or subscribe to existing channels to chat away with others sharing similar interests.

"Customers can join channels about a range of topics from products, hobbies and sports to entertainment, fashion, cars and more. Channels can be created by brands, businesses and BBM customers alike and are a great way to communicate directly and immediately with people," the company explains.

Seemingly taking cues from IRC, channel owners control the conversations. They can allow subscribers to post freely on the channel, or approve messages first before they go live. Channel owners can also interact with subscribers without having to hand out their personal details, or adding channel visitors as a BBM contact.

Channel owners can schedule specific times to allow BBM customers to have live chats with the channel owner. All BBM customers will receive a notification the moment one of the channels they follow has a new post, or when someone responds to their comments.

In addition to the new Channels feature, BBM provides location sharing (powered by Glympse) so that customers can share their real-time location with one or several BBM users. Customers can specify how long they want to share their location by setting a timer.

"We've all been in situations where we're running late, meeting up with friends, or trying to find someone at a concert. Location sharing powered by Glympse is a great way to share your live location for a specific amount of time. Choose how long you want to share your location for by setting the timer – when the timer runs out your location is private again. Now you see me…now you don't!" states Jeff Gadway, head of product and brand marketing, in a blog.

BBM also now provides support for Dropbox, making it easy to share large files like videos and presentations. Those on the receiving end can save the file(s) directly to the device, or add it to their own Dropbox account.

Finally, BBM now provides more than 100 new emoticons, many of which were actually submitted by BBM users. For more information about what's new in BBM, head here. The client can be downloaded for Android here, and iOS here.

Tom's Guide: How to Use WhatsApp Messenger

Jane McEntegart — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 12:30:00 +0000

If you're a smartphone owner, you probably already know all about WhatsApp messenger. The free messaging application has over 300 million users across iOS, Android, Nokia, Windows Phone, and BlackBerry. Suffice to say, it's one of the most popular apps available today. The app just added the ability to send voice recordings to your contacts, so we've put together a guide that runs through how to use this new feature as well as all of the others WhatsApp has to offer. Be sure to check out 'How to Use WhatsApp Messenger' for all the tips!

WhatsApp is a cross-platform instant messaging service that has exploded in popularity. In fact, CEO Jan Koum recently boasted that the app was now bigger than Twitter with over 300 million active monthly users and billions of messages sent every day. Among WhatsApp's major selling points is the ease of use of its cross-platform messaging, file and media sharing, as well as the simplicity of creating user accounts (uniquely tied to your phone's SIM card), seamless transitioning between mobile and WiFi data, and contact syncing. Free for the first year of use, WhatsApp charges a paltry $0.99 per year afterwards. Check out our basic run down of WhatsApp's features, as well as a few tips and tricks for making it easier to use.How to Use WhatsApp Messenger

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Google Adds Voice Calling to Hangouts

Jane McEntegart — Wed, 10 Jul 2013 18:00:00 +0000

Google today announced that it's bringing the ability to make calls from inside Gmail. The company decided to bring the feature back following feedback from users. This feature was actually promised to users back in May, after it emerged that the new version of Hangouts didn't support outbound calls on the web and in the Chrome extension.

Senior Software Engineer Alex Wiesen broke the news via the Gmail blog, declaring that the feature was back and better than ever.

"Today's launch also improves the desktop calling experience in a number of ways. For example: you can add multiple phone numbers and video participants to the same call; and you can play sound effects (like applause or laughter) with the Google Effects app," Wiesen wrote.

What's more, Google says calls to the U.S. and Canada are now free from all countries where Hangouts calling is available. International rates are "super, super low."

Let us know if you try out voice calling!

UK Outlook Users Can Now Skype Call from the Web

Jane McEntegart — Wed, 01 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000

Microsoft is now trialling Skype phone calls via Outlook.com. Microsoft-owned Skype announced today that its parent company is rolling out a preview version of Skype for Outlook.com. This version of Skype for Outlook will allow Outlook users to make video and voice calls directly from their inbox and is available only in the United Kingdom.

"Even with the best email service, sometimes text isn’t enough," Skype said in a blog posting. "We all face those situations where it’s just easier to jump on a call to talk something through. Sometimes that quick call can accomplish more than a long email reply. That’s why we are bringing Skype audio and video calling to your Outlook.com inbox."

You'll need to download the plug-in (which supports the most recent versions of Internet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox) before you can get started. Once you do, you'll be asked to merge your Skype and Outlook/Microsoft accounts. This will port all of your Skype contacts to Outlook.com and allow you to make calls from inside your mailbox.

Though the service is UK-only for now, Microsoft plans to roll out Skype for Outlook to the United States and Germany in the coming weeks. Worldwide availability is expected this summer. Check out Skype for Outlook in action in the video below:

Microsoft Reveals Plan to Migrate from Messenger to Skype

Kevin Parrish — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Parri Munsell from Skype revealed on Friday the "next chapter" in migrating Messenger users over to Skype. The whole process was expected to be completed by March 15, 2013 for all territories save for China (where Messenger is still highly popular). But now the company has revealed that the "upgrade" won't begin until April.

Microsoft said back in November that it planned to finally retire the Messenger client after it faithfully served users since 1999. But first the company needed to corral all the Messenger users and herd them over to the Redmond company's new IM of choice, Skype, which it purchased for $8.5 billion in May 2011. Currently Messenger users can sign into the Skype client using Microsoft credentials and see their Messenger friends dangling amidst their Skype and Facebook peeps.

"We want everyone who uses Messenger to have a positive experience. Upgrading to Skype can help you communicate in flexible ways, and be connected on more devices and platforms including Windows, Mac, iOS, Windows Phone, Android and soon Blackberry," Munsell said on Friday.

Munsell said that the upgrade from Messenger to Skype on Windows desktop will start on April 8 for everyone save for mainland China, and the process should take a few weeks to complete. The English language clients will see the upgrade first, and the process will end with the Brazilian Portuguese clients on April 30 or later.

"As Messenger users upgrade to Skype on their desktops, we also encourage them to download Skype on their mobile devices, and sign in with their Microsoft account to check out all that Skype has to offer," Munsell added.

Microsoft's Messenger, aka MSN Messenger, launched in the midst of AIM and ICQ battling for IM dominance in 1999. Eventually the two killed each other off after AOL purchased ICQ developer Mirabilis just one year prior, giving Messenger plenty of room to grow. Microsoft's chat client switched over to the Windows Live Messenger label back in 2005 with the launch of version 8. Microsoft eventually integrated the IM service into the Xbox 360 Spring 2007 Dashboard Update back in May 2007.

IM clients have seemingly taken a hit in the revenue belt thanks to smartphones, tablets and Facebook. Prior to Microsoft's acquisition, Skype held its ground by offering clear VoIP calling in addition to instant messaging. The integration of Facebook Messenger also helped propel Skype's popularity.

Current users of Skype and Messenger can sign into the former client with their Microsoft credentials by clicking on the "Microsoft Account" option on the sign-on screen, as seen below. This will likely change with the April "upgrade" client.

_{Contact Us for News Tips, Corrections and Feedback}

UK and US Get Skype Video Messaging

Jane McEntegart — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 18:00:00 +0000

Skype this week launched a new feature that allows users to leave short video messages for their contacts. Only available for Mac, iPhone, and Android users for the moment, the feature appears in the "Conversations" drop down menu and allows users to record three minute videos that they can then send to their contacts. The first 20 messages are free. After that, you'll need a Skype Premium subscription to use the feature.

Speaking to The Verge, a Skype spokesperson gave no indication as to when Windows users can expect to see similar functionality on their version of Skype.

"We’re pleased that there’s interest for Video Messaging to come to Skype for Windows and Skype for Windows 8," The Verge quotes a Skype spokesperson as saying. "We’ll let you know when we expand the service to the platform."

What's more, The Verge reports that the Video Messages feature is only available for US and UK users for the moment, and that a rollout to other countries is expected in the future. However, we tried it in Canada and it seems to work just fine, so let us know if you're able to use it outside of the USA and UK.

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Tom's Guide: Skype Tips, Tricks, and Apps

Jane McEntegart — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 18:20:00 +0000

Skype is without a doubt one of the most popular VoIP applications available today. It's free to download and you can call friends, family and colleagues across the world at no charge. However, chances are, even if you are a long time user, you're squeezing the most you can out of this great app. Between add-ons, tweaks to privacy settings, games, and customization options, there are tons of neat things you can do to make Skype a better app for you. Check out our top tips in today's 'Skype Tips, Tricks, and Apps' over on Tom's Guide.

Skype is one of the most popular VoIP programs out there. Today, we'll take a look at a few simple tips, tricks, and tweaks to get more out of your your experience with this popular app.Skype Tips, Tricks, and Apps

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Skype Rolls Out Pre-paid Cards in the United Kingdom

Jane McEntegart — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 18:30:00 +0000

Skype has announced plans to roll out pre-paid cards in the United Kingdom. The cards will allow customers to purchase Skype credit from 1400 shops around the country without having to part with their credit card information. The cards will be available in Asda, Currys, PC World, Sainsburys' and WHSmith branches in the gift card sections of each participating location.

The cards will be available in £10 and £20 denominations and can be redeemed online at skype.com against Skype paid features including sending text messages, video calls with multiple people, unlimited calls to a country of your choice, access to Skype's network of over a million global WiFi hotspots.

"We see Skype Prepaid Cards as yet another option for users to get more out of the Skype experience, either as a way to add Skype Credit to their account or as a perfect gift for friends and family to allow them to keep in touch more easily," said Enrico Noseda, Head of Market Development for the EMEA region at Skype. "The Skype Credit can be used in whichever way and on whichever device best suits the user, making it as easy as possible to be together whenever we are apart."

Topping up your account is as easy as uncovering a PIN under the scratch panel on the back of the card and entering it online for activation. Just remember that you need to use the card within a year of purchase, otherwise it'll expire.

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Tom's Guide: 10 Instant Messaging Aggregators

Jane McEntegart — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Between Skype, Facebook messenger, AIM, Gtalk, MSN Messenger, and many others, we're spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing an IM service. However, because not everyone is going to pick the same service and many IM clients are built into other services, like Facebook and Gmail, it's impossible to just stick with one client or service. Luckily, there are IM aggregator clients that will allow you to sign into multiple services at once, making it easier to keep track of all your chat windows and contacts. Check out '10 Instant Messaging Aggregators' for some of our favorites.

There are dozens of popular instant messaging services and social media chat networks out there, and it can be hard keeping a dozen different IM clients online just to keep tabs on what your friends and contacts are saying. IM aggregator clients allow you to keep tabs on different IM networks via a single program or web app. Here are a few good IM aggregators for users of desktop, tablet, and smartphone devices.10 Instant Messaging Aggregators

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Microsoft Reveals Skype for Windows 8

Kevin Parrish — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 21:30:00 +0000

On Sunday the Skype blog was updated with an introduction to Skype for Windows 8, which will be released this Friday along with Windows 8 and Windows RT devices. It's a brand new experience, the blog states, focusing on people and messages front and center. Recent chat messages and calls will be presented next to frequently messaged contacts immediately after the client is launched.

"Skype has also made it even easier for you to call landlines or mobile phones directly, with a new modern dial pad," said Mark Gillett, chief development and operations officer at Skype. "You can easily see how much Skype Credit you have along with active subscriptions and your recent calls all in one easy view."

In this release, Skype has been "re-architected" from the ground up, and will feel more native than previous versions on Windows 7 and older. It will be "always on," running seamlessly in the background and alerting users about new calls and instant messages in boxy notification tags pinned to the right of the screen. And, naturally, because this will be a Modern UI app, the new-and-improved Skype will not only run in full-screen mode, but be touch compatible.

"Once you've downloaded Skype from the Windows Store, Skype appears on the new Start screen as a live tile," Gillett said. "As well as being the launching point for the Skype experience on Windows 8, the Skype live tile provides a window into the app, showing you if you have missed a call or have a new message waiting for you inside."

Despite its new full-screen nature, users will be able to snap it over to the side while still video chatting and browse the Internet, sift through photos, use maps and more. The new Windows client has also been extended into the People app so that it's easier for users to simply pull up a contact from this modernized address book and place a call or instant message.

"Simply logging in to Skype and connecting your Skype account to the People app, will automatically add the Skype details of everyone you want to keep in touch with," Gillett said. "You can even reach your contacts who aren't yet on Skype through calling their mobile or landline number if you have a phone number stored for them and a little Skype credit or a subscription."

To read the entire post, head here. Skype for Windows 8 will be included with new Windows 8 devices this Friday, and made available from the Windows Store at the same time. A demonstration has been provided below.

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Carrier Billing Coming to Skype in October

Kevin Parrish — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 01:00:00 +0000

MACH said on Wednesday that it has been selected by Microsoft's Skype division as the first vendor to deliver direct operator billing to new and existing Skype users in key markets across the globe.

Starting in October, users will be able to purchase Skype Credit by applying the charge against their monthly wireless carrier statement or pre-paid account, similar to the way they can purchase apps, music, or subscribe to third-party services. Skype Credit can be purchased from the desktop or from any smartphone or tablet through a web browser – in-app purchasing will be activated at a later date.

MACH offers a Direct Billing Gateway which provides a one-click operator billing service for mobile applications, content and mobile internet services, allowing providers to charge subscribers for services direct to their mobile phone bill or pre-paid balance in real time.

"The rollout will enable Skype to offer its customers a fast and convenient way to purchase Skype Credit, creating new revenue streams in existing markets, as well as in new markets where other payment methods have low penetration rates," MACH stated. "Direct operator billing will also reflect the same price points as current payment methods, ensuring a consistent user experience."

So far there's no word on exactly which wireless carrier will support the new direct operator billing feature. Verizon Wireless has been Skype's biggest supporter here in the United States, so the Big Red may be first in line. However given that Skype will likely be deeply integrated into Windows Phone 8 later this year, carriers may find this as simply another flow of revenue than a possible threat, especially now that "unlimited minutes" are the norm.

The move with Skype is preceded by a deal between MACH and Microsoft announced back in January. The Redmond company selected MACH's Direct Billing Gateway (DBG) service for Windows Phone 7 applications and content billing, allowing users from around the world to buy content from Microsoft’s Windows Phone Marketplace with a simple 1-click service, placing the fee for the application on the user’s phone bill.

"MACH’s strength in direct operator billing, as well as its heritage in delivering cloud-based communications solutions to over 650 operators, led us to select MACH as our first direct operator billing vendor," said Neil Ward, General Manager, Business Operations, Skype Division, on Wednesday. "Delivering a strong user-experience has been at the heart of Skype’s adoption by millions of users globally, and we want to extend this philosophy to the payment options we provide. We expect ease of payment to attract new users, while existing users will become more profitable customers as they increase their spend with us."

The exact date of when carrier billing will go live in October is unknown at this point, but we're betting sometime around the launch of Windows 8.

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You Can Now Do Google Hangouts Directly from Your Gmail

Catherine Cai — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 12:30:00 +0000

Google is replacing Gmail video chats with Google Hangouts, the video service provided in Google+.

The original video chat service provided in Gmail was peer-to-peer, but the upgrade will swap it to Google's network, improving video quality and allowing Gmail users with Google+ to video chat in groups up to nine people.

Other benefits of having Google Hangouts integrated into Gmail mean that users will now be able to watch YouTube videos together and collaborate via the share screen option.

Chat in Gmail will also now no longer be limited to desktop users. Those on smartphones and tablets will be able to video chat via Gmail with others as well.

According to Google's official Gmail blog, changes for Google Hangouts will be rolling out today and continuing on into the next few weeks.

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Skype's Network Ditches P2P Tech for Linux Boxes

Kevin Parrish — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Microsoft has reportedly done away with the peer-to-peer client machines that have powered Skype's VoIP network over the last nine years. Instead, Skype now uses thousands of Linux-based servers that have been "hardened" for the most common types of hack attacks.

Skype's network overhaul was discovered just weeks ago, but the switch out is believed to have taken place several months back. Ultimately this new network is expected to prevent outages from happening again, giving Microsoft better control over Skype's system as a whole.

"The number of supernodes has dropped from 48k+ to 10k+, and all the supernodes are now hosted by Microsoft/Skype," reports Immunity Security's Kostya Kortchinsky on his personal blog. "Promotion of random eligible nodes to supernodes has stopped (through the setting of the global Boolean 33h). Ironically, those remaining supernodes run on grsec'ed Linux boxes (I hope Spender gets a sizeable donation from Microsoft). They can host a considerable amount of clients, ~100,000."

This explanation essentially means the Skype network has been reduced from over 48,000 supernodes down to over 10,000, and now there's no way that an individual user can become a supernode. The remaining supernodes are also running a version of Linux using grsecurity, the latter of which is a collection of patches and configurations designed to make servers more resistant to attacks.

Even more, these Microsoft-hosted machines are capable of accommodating significantly more users than before. Previously supernodes on the old system could handle around 800 users simultaneously, but now they can each play host to around 4,100 users with a theoretical limit of 100,000 simultaneous users. That said, the number of supernodes in the Skype network has decreased while the user capacity has increased.

"It's pretty good for security reasons because then you don't rely on random people running random stuff on their machine," Kortchinsky told Ars Technica. "You just have something that's centralized and secure."

Skype has seen nothing but growth since its debut back in 2003. However its steepest spikes have occurred within the last two years. From October 2010 to March 2011, Skype saw an additional 6 million concurrent members, but then saw seven months of flatlined growth. Then in January 2012, Skype saw an insane 104-day 9 million spike, averaging 95.5K additional signed-in users daily. Skype now plays host to over 41 million users during peak hours.

The news surrounding Skype's new network arrives after Microsoft said it was investigating reports that a modified client will allow users to see the IP address of anyone on Skype whether they're friends or strangers. "This is an ongoing, industry-wide issue faced by all peer-to-peer software companies," a Skype representative said. "We are committed to the safety and security of our customers and we are takings measures to help protect them."

Microsoft scooped up Skype back in October 2011 for a meaty $8.5 billion. Since then, Skype has arrived on Windows Phone and Sony's PlayStation Vita. There are also signs that Microsoft plans to introduce Skype as a Web app for browsers later this year, and that the popular VoIP service is finally headed to the Xbox 360 console.

UPDATE: Mark Gillett, CVP of Skype Product Engineering & Operations, sent over a little clarification about the network update, saying that it has not changed the underlying nature of Skype’s peer-to-peer architecture.

"As part of our ongoing commitment to continually improve the Skype user experience, we developed supernodes which can be located on dedicated servers within secure datacenters," he told Tom's in an email on Wednesday. "This has not changed the underlying nature of Skype’s peer-to-peer (P2P) architecture, in which supernodes simply allow users to find one another (calls do not pass through supernodes). We believe this approach has immediate performance, scalability and availability benefits for the hundreds of millions of users that make up the Skype community."

Skype Officially Belongs to Microsoft Now

Jane McEntegart — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Microsoft announced that its acquisition of Skype, which was first announced five months ago, has been finalized. Microsoft revealed plans to purchase Skype way back in May of this year. At the time, the two companies said they hoped to obtain all the required regulatory clearances before the end of this calendar year, and it looks like they got their wish.

In a press release sent out Friday morning, Microsoft confirmed that it had closed the deal, and revealed that Skype CEO Tony Bates will now report directly to Steve Ballmer in his new role as president of the new Skype Division of Microsoft. Skype employees will continue to be located around the world in offices including Estonia, the Czech Republic, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the United States.

"Skype is a phenomenal product and brand that is loved by hundreds of millions of people around the world," said Steve Ballmer. "We look forward to working with the Skype team to create new ways for people to stay connected to family, friends, clients and colleagues — anytime, anywhere."

Speaking via a post on the Official Microsoft Blog, Tony Bates said:

"Joining forces with Microsoft is the best way to accelerate this mission and capitalize on our position at the intersection of social, mobile and video communications. Simply put, we want to transform communications. We will do this by building the best products in the world that allow all of us to do things together whenever we’re apart and by creating teams who work faster and smarter across the globe building those world-class products."

He also appeared in a special video uploaded to Microsoft's YouTube channel. Check it out below.

Microsoft Gets Green Light For Skype Acquisition

C YB — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 03:00:00 +0000

Microsoft clinched a huge win towards finalizing its Skype acquisition having now approvals from both the European Union and the United States to proceed. In an $8.5 billion deal, Microsoft has secured perhaps its largest investment since its 2007 $6 billion purchase of aQuantive to expand further into online advertising.

“We’re pleased that the European Commission has approved Microsoft’s acquisition of Skype. This is an important milestone, as we’ve now received clearance from both the United States and the European Union. We look forward to completing soon the final steps needed to close the acquisition, bringing together the employees of Microsoft and Skype, and creating new opportunities for people to communicate and collaborate around the world,” stated Brad Smith, General Counsel and Executive Vice President, Microsoft Corporation.

What makes Skype so attractive to Microsoft is that Skype has become one of, if not, the most popular means of real-time communication through instant messaging and voice/video conferencing, a medium which has been widely adopted for both business and personal use on smartphones, desktops and tablet PCs.

While Microsoft already offers a variety of real-time communication solutions , boasting more than 500 million MSN users, it just doesn’t have the same reach that Skype will bring to the table.

- Skype has partnerships in place with Facebook as the primary means to instant message and video chat Facebook friends. With Microsoft acquiring Skype and its 1.6 percent stake in Facebook, Microsoft will now have access to the potential 750 million Facebook users using Skype.

- Skype is actively used by Apple customers on their iPad and iPhones. Apple owns 74 percent of the Tablet PC market and almost 6 percent of the global phone market. Microsoft via Skype can also tap into this broad user base.

- Skype will facilitate for Microsoft a better means for user authentication and a wider reach in promoting its other products to the more than 170 million daily active Skype users. It is one of the many strategic moves Microsoft has set in place to reclaim its presence and market share in the smartphone and tablet PC arena.

Where Google and Apple currently dominate in the smartphone market, Microsoft hopes that its new partnership with Nokia Corporation, in a move to have Microsoft software power its smartphones, will make an impact with its upcoming Windows 8 OS targeted specifically for the smartphone and tablet PC market.

While it remains to be seen how successful this new acquisition will be for Microsoft, the rest of us can only await the outcome of whether this will affect our Skype usage fees as a means for Microsoft to recoup some of the billions spent on purchasing Skype.

Microsoft Appeals Word XML Patent Ruling

Jane McEntegart — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:41:00 +0000

Aside from the injunction against selling Microsoft Word in the U.S., the Redmond-based company was also told to pay i4i $290 million in damages. Microsoft said it would appeal the ruling and this week we learn that the company has done just that.

Microsoft has filed an emergency motion to block the injunction saying it causes irreparable harm to the company.

"Even if Microsoft ultimately succeeds on appeal, it will never be able to recoup the funds expended in redesigning and redistributing Word, the sales lost during the period when Word and Office are barred from the market, and the diminished goodwill from Microsoft's many retail and industrial customers."

However, while it all sounds very desperate, a Microsoft spokesperson spoke to PC Pro and said that it was all par for the course. "These filings are not unusual in patent cases," the spokesperson said. "We believe the evidence clearly demonstrates that we do not infringe and that the i4i patent is invalid."

As it stands, Microsoft is not allowed to sell or import any Microsoft Word products that have the capability of opening .XML, .DOCX or .DOCM files containing custom XML, in the United States.

Microsoft Fined for Price Fixing Office Suite

Tuan An Nguyen — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:10:00 +0000

Microsoft has been slapped with a fine of approximately $11.8 million for price fixing its popular Office Home and Student 2007 suite at a recent retail promotion.

According to Bundeskartellamt, which is an independent federal authority assigned to the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology in Germany, Microsoft fixed prices on Office at a particularly large retailer which received financial backing from Microsoft.

According to the report:

'The product in question was heavily advertised in the autumn of 2008 in stationary retail outlets. Amongst others, a nationwide active retailer advertised the product with financial support from Microsoft. Even before the launch of the advertising campaign in mid-October 2008, employees of Microsoft and the retailer in question had agreed on at least two occasions on the resale price of the software package 'Office Home & Student 2007'."

Price fixing is becoming a common occurrence with large companies that are able to flex their financial muscles onto their partners and resellers. The practice has been a big problem in the memory business, where companies actually agree with their competition on prices for their products.

Almost without a fight, Microsoft has agreed to pay the fine, saying that it would review its commercial process.

"We will use this case as an opportunity to review our internal commercial processes and ensure that we are in full compliance with German law," said Microsoft spokesman Jack Evans.

Microsoft Fined $11.9 Million for Office Price-fixing

Jane McEntegart — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:51:01 +0000

Microsoft has been dealt a second blow in the courts as a ruling from Germany sees the software giant fined nearly $12 million.

The German competition authority, the Bundeskartellamt, ruled that Microsoft had coordinated with retailers for Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007, which resulted in anti-competitive pricing. The Bundeskartellamt said that prior the launch of the advertising campaign in mid-October 2008, employees of Microsoft and the retailer in question had agreed on at least two occasions on the resale price of the software package “Office Home & Student 2007.”

"The product in question was heavily advertised in the autumn of 2008 in stationery retail outlets,” said the Bundeskartellamt in a statement. “Among others, a nationwide active retailer advertised the product with financial support from Microsoft," the statement continued.

While Microsoft has accepted the ruling and will be paying the fine in full, the competition authority assured suppliers and retailers alike that not all talks regarding resale is illegal. “However, this must not lead to a form of coordination where the supplier actively tries to coordinate the pricing activities of the retailer and thus retailer and supplier agree on future actions of the retailer. In the present case, this boundary has been crossed.”

Microsoft this week lost a patent infringement suit against Uniloc Inc. which could cost the company $388 million.

CES '09: Skype Goes Android Mobile

Kevin Parrish — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:00:00 +0000

Thursday Skype announced its support for Google's Android platform, however most carriers have yet to allow Skype on their phones in fear of losing revenue.

While Skype offers a cheap method of making calls for those wanting to shed obese land-line charges, the company is now pushing hard to bring its services to mobile phones. Thursday the company released a Lite version of Skype for Android-powered devices, as well as more than 100 other Java-enabled mobile phones. Previously the company tested the Lite version on selected mobile phones internationally, however with this release, U.S. consumers can now benefit from Skype's capabilities.

While many may question why anyone would want VoIP on a mobile phone, the service does have a few benefits, allowing users to make free Skype-to-Skype calls to other Skype users anywhere in the world. Users can also send/receive instant messages to/from individuals or groups and make low-cost Skype calls to landline or mobile phones. The drawback to using Skype Lite is that the application uses local air time and mobile Internet connections, so having a calling plan and a data plan is essential; a local Wi-Fi connection is not needed.

"Making the Skype experience available for download to Android-powered devices, as well as hundreds of other mobile phones from the world's leading handset manufacturers is a major step forward for Skype," said Scott Durchslag, COO of Skype. "Nearly half the world's population are mobile phone users today and we know that many people who already use Skype want the option to use Skype on their mobile phones. We are committed to working towards our goal of getting Skype into the pockets of the mobile masses."

For now, Skype Lite works on currently available Android devices (T-Mobile), however the company expects to cover all Android devices released in the future. Skype Lite also works on other Java-enabled mobile phones from LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson. To download the mobile client, head here or grab the file via a PC here.

Additionally, the company announced that its Skype software (1.0 Beta) is also available for Intel-based Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) that utilize Intel's Atom processor and Moblin's Linux operating system. The customized software enables MID users to make free Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls anywhere in the world, allow instant messaging and everything else laptop and desktop users currently enjoy.

"Today's introduction of the first, complete Internet communications offering for MIDs bridges the gap between the phone and PC and underscores our vision of 'Skype everywhere' and our commitment to open access," said Scott Durchslag, Skype's Chief Operating Officer. "By supporting WiFi, WiMax, 3G and 4G, this development expands Skype's mobile portfolio and further illustrates the broad accessibility to Skype that we offer on a multitude of mobile devices."

Skype showcased both the mobile version and the MID version of its software this week at CES '09, and is working with Intel on the latter version to deliver its application software for MIDs through ODMs and OEMs. In the past, mobile carriers have not allowed Skype's software to infect their services in fear of losing revenue if subscribers relied on Skype to make calls over the web rather than the regular voice service. But as Skype has caught on and grown in popularity, many mobile carriers are easing up a bit in restrictions.

"The operators thought in the past we were something just shy of Satan," Chief Operating Officer Scott Durchslag told Reuters in an interview at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. "Now we have carriers coming to us." He also commented that the weak economy was actually helping Skype because consumers are looking for cheaper options. Skype is even getting calls from companies that would have never called before now.

While a good portion of the Bestofmedia staff relies on Skype to communicate back and forth online, using the software in a mobile application just doesn't make sense in regards to making calls, especially if consumers must pay for air time and data services anyway. Then again, Skype would be useful during international calls, however the company's service seem best suited locked in a Pc environment.

Apple nixed a Skype client for the iPhone way back when. And, currently there is no official Skype client for Blackberry users; Shape Services offers compatible software called IM+ for Skype costing $30 and features all the bells and whistles offered through Skype's services. The program hogs battery power, uses a constant flow of data, and experiences consistent disconnections. But for now, the application serves as a good substitute until Skype releases an official application -if at all- in the future.

More from CES 2009

Skype 3.0 Beta

The Editors of Tom's Hardware — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 02:12:00 +0000

New in Skype 3.0: Public chats, called Skypecasts

New in Skype 3.0 : Public chats, called Skypecasts

Contact overview

The chat windows has been modified and users can switch between expanded and compact views.

If you are using multiple audio devices, Skype so far has been everything else than easy to configure. Version 3.0 combines options and allows users to test their audfio devices when making changes to settings.

If you are using multiple audio devices, Skype so far has been everything else than easy to configure. Version 3.0 combines options and allows users to test their audfio devices when making changes to settings.

The Extras manager

Need a time killer? Invite your friends to a game of Backgammon or Checkers.

Need a time killer ? Invite your friends to a game of Backgammon or Checkers.

IBM connects AOL, Yahoo IM users to collaboration software

The Editors of Tom's Hardware — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 01:16:41 +0000

Orlando (FL) - IBM today announced a new version of its collaboration software Sametime, which connects its users the Instant Messaging platforms of AOL and Yahoo. In the future, IBM plans to also make Google's Talk software accessible.

According to the manufacturer, Sametime 7.5 includes a total of 100 new features, such as extended platform support that includes a new web conferencing interface, integration of IBM's Workplace software and a SIP (session initiation protocol) based communications gateway with VoIP capabilities. IBM also plans to add support for Apple's Mac OS X version 10.4 "Tiger" and Linux to Sametime.

At the heart of the announcement, however, is a redesigned Instant Messenger interface that allows Sametime users to connect with users of Yahoo's Instant Messenger and AOL's AIM and ICQ as well as Apple' iChat messaging client. The company also said that it intends to enable a "standards-based interoperability" between the IBM Lotus Sametime enterprise IM community and the Google Talk public IM network.

IBM said that Sametime 7.5 will be available in mid-2006. Pricing has not been announced.

Skype trying for mainstream push at CES

The Editors of Tom's Hardware — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 03:00:46 +0000

Las Vegas (NV) - A number of CES announcements by Skype seem to be unscoring the company's push to be accepted among the ranks of mainstream VoIP service providers.

D-Link announced its DPH-50U Skype USB phone adapter that let users accept both regular telephone and Skype calls from the same phone. While the product is similar to boxes already available from Actiontec and others, D-Link's entry into the Skype cloud serves as yet another acknowledgement of Skype's importance in the VoIP market.

D-Link has set suggested retail for the device at $70 and said it will be available at Skype's online store, its online shop and retails in the U.S. and Europe. But exact timing of availability was not given.

In another announcement, Panasonic said it plans to launch a "Skype compatible cordless telephone product" that will enable "select Panasonic cordless telephones" to interface directly with Skype. With the new product, consumers will be able to make and receive Skype and traditional calls using the same Panasonic cordless phone.

Panasonic's announcement, however, mostly seemed to be selling futures, with no concrete pricing or availability given.

Finally, a Skype press release today said that the company will make an announcement regarding its collaboration with Netgear on a "breakthrough product".

Connecting With Skype's Phone Service

Harald Thon — Fri, 23 Sep 2005 19:05:48 +0000

Thanks To Skype, IP Telephony Keeps Forging Ahead

Last March, we described in Skype for PPC: Free Phone Calls from a Windows Pocket PC? how to make free telephone calls using a PDA and Skype. In the meantime, Skype has introduced numerous enhancements to its offerings and has also grown its user base to exceed 3.1 million users (the day we translated this story into English, eBay announced its intentions to acquire Skype in a deal worth up to $4.1 billion). That history and Skype's 46% share of the IP telephony service market also help to explain why Intel formed a partnership with Skype, which Intel Senior Vice President Pat Gelsinger formally acknowledged last month.

Without exception, the most important of the new offerings that Skype has rolled out since the start of 2005 is its reasonably priced SkypeIn service. Skype users can now field calls from non-Skypers' land lines and mobile phones (use SkypeOut to go the other way, and call from a Skype phone to a non-Skype phone). Using these services is incredibly simple: order a Skype number from www.skype.com , set up an account for billing then start dialing. The otherwise free Skype Voicemail inbox also works with SkypeIn, too. That keeps Skype users accessible, even if they can't get to a phone as incoming calls arrive. This also makes Skype a full-fledged phone service offering, albeit one that's grown up quietly and secretly into a serious business tool.

But turning a service like Skype into something an average phone user can accept also means handsets must look and act like ordinary telephones - and they must be widely available.

For this short review we picked the IP-700m USB World Phone from IPFones as our handset of choice, because it has the same look and feel as a conventional wired telephone. At a price of about $80 (40 €), it's also very affordable. In the pages that follow, you'll see exactly how easy it is to put IP telephony to work on your notebook or desktop PC Compare Prices on IP-700 M.

What Do You Need To Use Skype To Make Calls From Your Notebook?

All that you need to place calls using Skype is the following:

A working Internet connection
The Skype software
A headset or handset
(As an alternative to the preceding item): A PC-compatible speaker and microphone rig

Is That A Telephone? No, It's A Skypephone

Hopefully the difference between a headset and a handset is pretty clear. As its name suggests, a headset sits on one's head, whereas a handset is something people typically hold in their hands to use - such as a conventional telephone. Those who take the headset or speaker/micropohone rig route, soon come to appreciate Skype's built-in support for using the keyboard and mouse while placing calls.

Predictably enough, headsets have no buttons or keys.

When it comes to handling or placing calls, a handset like the IP-700m USB World Phone is more familiar and comfortable to use. With this kind of device in hand, dialing a number works just like any other phone call, using its integrated keypad.

The IP-700m handset differs from a conventional telephone only in its use of a USB connection (not shown in this picture).

There are other differences that arise from the type of equipment used in IP telephony. Whereas PC speaker/microphone or most handset rigs typically require access to audio inputs and outputs, a handset like the IP-700m requires only a free USB port to plug into.

With a net weight of just over 3 oz (90 g) this device presents no problem to travelers who might want to take it along. Its four- to six-foot long (120-180 cm) spiral cable provides plenty of freedom of movement for its users, though most people tend to prefer cordless phones. That's probably why IPFones promises cordless models for its next generation of products, which will communicate wirelessly with a base station that plugs into a USB port on a PC or notebook.

Before we describe the functions of the IP-700m USB World Phone in more detail, we want to show you just how easy this device is to install Compare Prices on IP-700 M Phone.

Installation

Installation requires completing only three simple steps:

Installing Skype
Setting up a Skype account
Installing the IP-700m software

All necessary software is included on a CD packaged with the handset. Drop this into your optical drive, and its Autostart function jump-starts installation on your behalf.

Parlez-vous Français?

After choosing the language for the installation program and the software it loads, an installation Wizard appears to lead you through the process step by step. Instructing the program to install Skype makes the installer seek a newer version of the Skype software from the company website. This prevents potential dangers from occurring when older versions of software are used by mistake.

A couple of mouse clicks, and ...

...a couple of quick bits of account data, and ...

Once you've downloaded the latest version of Skype, it's simple to fire off the setup file. After three clicks, the software is completely installed. Those who already have Skype user accounts can use them immediately to log in; new users must elect the "Create a New Account" option to set themselves up first.

...you're logged in, ready to start making (or receiving) calls.

Installation, Continued

It's easy to tell that everything is working properly and that you've logged in successfully, because as soon as you complete the process a Skype contact list appears. Those who don't already have Skype contacts see a green checkered (cross-hatched?) icon to indicate that a connection is up and running, ready for use.

During the next step, you'll install the drivers and the user interface software for the IP-700m handset. Simply pick the "Install IPFones" item from the menu, and you're off and running.

One click...

... and then another, is all it takes to get the IPFones software installed.

With just a few clicks, you'll find the process is done, and the software is installed on your hard disk.

The IP-700m user interface concentrates on what's important

A red symbol in the start menu labeled "OFF" shows that while the software is installed, the device isn't plugged in yet.

As the final step, insert the USB connector from the IP-700m into a free port. After a few seconds that it takes for Windows to recognize the device, it's ready to go. As soon as that happens, the red menu symbol changes its shape and its color goes green to show it's available for use. Otherwise, all you see is the time, date, and day of the week.

Ready to rock'n'roll with your IP telephone on a notebook or desktop PC

Those who want to install a different call tone, or alter default microphone and loudspeaker settings for the handset, must use the IP-700m's Advanced Mode menu. That means right-clicking its Start menu entry, to enable access to the Advanced Mode menu. Voice related settings are likewise accessible through this same menu Compare Prices on IP-700 M Phone.

Using this menu provides access to the full range of install options for the IP-700m software

Totally Easy To Use, But It Could Use A Better Display

The IP-700m USB World Phone's unique and redeeming ability is its ability to enable Skype access through its keypad. In other words, you don't have to use the PC keyboard to invoke Skype - rather, you need press only a button on the handset to bring up the Skype window on screen.

Using four buttons (red rectangle), you can use the handset to navigate the Skype interface

Using both buttons labeled "In" and "Out" you can switch among the Contacts, Dialing, and Recent calls sub-menus. The arrow keys permit selection of a contact to call. Once any number is selected, simply press the green button to dial it. To end any call, simply press the red button. Those with SkypeOut accounts can also use the keypad to dial out-of-network users on hard lines or mobile phones as well.

The liquid crystal (LC) display could be improved, however. Because it lacks backlighting it's either impossible or difficult to see in dark or dimly light environments. For incoming calls the display shows the Skype name of the caller (where applicable). But because of restricted display capabilities on the viewing screen, the seven-segment displays used to show characters aren't always clear or completely readable. For example, a Skype name like WALLACETX looks like UALLACETH on the display.

Who's UALLACETH?

For outgoing calls, the mini-screen shows only the numbers entered into the device, but not the Skype names for contacts selected from the contact list.

Under The Hood: Great Sound Thanks To PCM Codec/filter

Naturally, we popped open the case to take a look at the IP-700m USB's inner workings. The main electronic components we found included the Cypress AN2131QC and the Motorola MC145480.

Cypress provides the USB interface, voice capabilities come courtesy of the Motorola PCM codec.

Whereas the ANC2131QC handles the USB interface for this device, the MC145480 manages the encoding and decoding of speech (and other sounds). As a so-called PCM codec/filter, in fact, the Motorola chip not only handles encoding and decoding, it also digitizes and reconstructs human voices, and even concerns itself with important things like noise reduction and cancellation. While it's important to deliver speech with maximum fidelity, the same is not true for background noise picked up as it's captured and delivered to its recipient.

IPFones describes its (successful) efforts at delivering the best-possible voice quality with the marketing phrase "Digital Clarity Sound".

Practical IPFones Test And Perceptions

In a softening of our usual rigorous testing methods, we based our evaluation of this device on opinions and impressions from multiple individuals. That's because what's a meaningful value-add to Skype for one person isn't necessarily so for others. I enlisted two of my colleagues as guinea pigs for this effort, who like me already used Skype and its telephony functions for everyday workplace telephoning anyway Compare Prices on IP-700 M.

Here's the opinion from my co-worker Anna Yew:

"An initial observation is necessary to start off: Until working on this assignment, I've always used a headset for Skype calls, and have been completely satisfied with it. That's why I started using the IP-700m USB World Phone with some skepticism. But after using the IP-700m for a week, I didn't have much cause for complaint - the Plug'n'Play installation worked quickly and without a hitch, and navigating the Skype interface with the phone keypad was simple and intuitive. The sound quality on the receiving end was always crystal clear. Only one time, as I was placing an international call to a land line, did the sound quality seem imperfect. During call set-up, what I heard from the IP-700m seemed a little muffled, accompanied by modest amounts of white noise. My headset doesn't display such behavior, but this didn't really bother me a lot, because Skype sound quality improves markedly when an actual connection is established anyway. It was also comfortable to handle incoming calls by picking up the IP-700m and pressing the green button, instead of having to reach for the headset and fumble it into proper position as quickly as possible. And then, of course, you also have to fiddle with the mouse to pick up the call once the headset is in place...

When all was said and down, however, I'm still not entirely enthused about the IP-700m - while it delivers on it claims, its capabilities don't add enough value to trump the convenience of my headset. More important, a handset doesn't provide the primary benefit that a headset confers - namely, to free one's hands for typing or other keyboard activity (transferring file, URLs, or other data, or accessing a chat window) inside Skype. To me, those things are essential, and let me make the most of Skype's capabilities. To be sure, this is probably a matter of taste and a question of how one uses Skype. But I use Skype every day at work, and do that best with my headset. That's what I plan to keeping doing for the foreseeable future, too."

Here's Frank Voelkel's report:

"The installation of the IP-700m goes very quickly, with an available USB port at one's disposal. The driver install is childishly simple and the hardware recognition likewise is trouble-free. And that's about all it takes, because additional installation tasks for Skype itself are handled more or less automatically. Restoring sound output to conventional loudspeakers is an important post-installation task, because otherwise all PC audio plays through the mini-speakers inside the IP-700m handset.

Using the IP phone through the keypad is very comfortable - everything works just like a normal hard line handset, with no need to use the PC keyboard at all. Ring tones are user selectable, and ring loudly enough on the handset speakers to be clearly audible.

The unit shows some failings in the quality of its workmanship, which could be decidedly better. Picky users might be disturbed by the high- and low-frequency transmission cut-offs that affect every call. Even the lacquer finish on the unit could be improved (perhaps by using multiple layers of contrasting color); the test unit showed noticeable speckling underneath its top high-gloss coat. This impression of substandard quality also comes from the stickers on the back of the unit, which call to mind cheap Asian imports from the mid-90s.

My summary: A handy device with simple installation that's quick and easy to put to work, but with definite issues with quality of workmanship and materials. Savvy buyers won't mind spending more money on higher quality materials and a more attractive look."

Here are my own impressions, after additional weeks of exposure to the IP-700m:

"Until now, I always used a headset for making and taking Skype calls. What bothered me about this was constantly schlepping a bulky headset back and forth between home and office. A headset is practical because it lets you talk and type at the same time. But what I always find vexing about the experience is that my ears tingle after a long phone session. Also those darned ear-muffs are an eyesore.

On trips, my bulky headset stays home as a rule. On the road, I used a wired mini-headset instead, much like those for a mobile phone: a button in the ear and a microphone on a boom, in other words. This sort of thing fits the smallest of pockets and weighs next to nothing.

With the IP-700m what impressed me most was its voice quality, along with the simple installation. It's easy and intuitive to use, perfectly suited for non-techies.

In addition, I can now run the built-in speakers in my notebook again. With the headset, I had to run all audio through its two miniscule speakers on a more or less permanent basis.

As far as the quality of the housing for the phone goes, I'd wish for a slightly heftier device and a matt finish for the display screen. This would add visual appeal to the device. In my opinion, the cable is sufficiently long to be workable. Of course, a cordless handset with a base station/handset cradle would be better still. But there is something that really bothers me: The IP-700m is always laying around somewhere on my desk: I really would have appreciated a small collapsible cradle so as to have someplace to put it when it's not in use.

Weighing the devices advantages against its disadvantages, I find the IP-700m to be a tool that makes using Skype phone services more comfortable and intuitive than with a headset. In addition, the unit delivers good voice quality. When traveling, its light weight and small size make it preferable to my old headset."

Summary And Conclusions

End-user devices like the IP-700m USB World Phone from IPFones makes telephoning with Skype more intuitive. Given its easy installation and voice quality, the IP-700m USB World Phone can be very convincing. As far as look and feel issues go for the unit, our tester's opinions were somewhat at odds. But $80 (40 Euros) is a suitable price for a product that works flawlessly with Skype and that makes IP telephony incredibly simple.

IPFones also offers volume discounts on the IP-700m for immediate purchase. Prices for 10 units are as low as $60/30€, and two units cost as little as $140/70€.