India wants to monitor Google and Skype as well

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 24px;"></span><br /> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 13px/19px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 0.6em; padding-right: 0.6em; padding-top: 0.6em;"> <div mce_style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;"> <img alt="India flag" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-83860" height="193" mce_src="http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/6280/26indiaflag.jpg" src="http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/6280/26indiaflag.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px;" title="India flag" width="372" /></div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> After recent reports of the Indian government’s intentions to strong arm RIM into compromising the security of its BlackBerry devices, it looks like the country is leaving no stone unturned. Recent reports state that India is also requesting for the same permission to private data from services like Skype, Twitter, Facebook and Google. <span mce_style="line-height: 19px;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ubergizmo?a=Nf9hvN9pRWE:DU3TAkZEcm0:yIl2AUoC8zA" mce_href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ubergizmo?a=Nf9hvN9pRWE:DU3TAkZEcm0:yIl2AUoC8zA" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="" border="0" mce_src="http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/5508/76099769.gif" src="http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/5508/76099769.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ubergizmo?a=Nf9hvN9pRWE:DU3TAkZEcm0:qj6IDK7rITs" mce_href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ubergizmo?a=Nf9hvN9pRWE:DU3TAkZEcm0:qj6IDK7rITs" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="" border="0" mce_src="http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/482/56926296.gif" src="http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/482/56926296.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ubergizmo?a=Nf9hvN9pRWE:DU3TAkZEcm0:gIN9vFwOqvQ" mce_href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ubergizmo?a=Nf9hvN9pRWE:DU3TAkZEcm0:gIN9vFwOqvQ" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="" border="0" mce_src="http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/8456/68487367.gif" src="http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/8456/68487367.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ubergizmo?a=Nf9hvN9pRWE:DU3TAkZEcm0:-BTjWOF_DHI" mce_href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ubergizmo?a=Nf9hvN9pRWE:DU3TAkZEcm0:-BTjWOF_DHI" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="" border="0" mce_src="http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/8960/25536697.gif" src="http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/8960/25536697.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px;" /></a></span></div> </div> </div>

India wants to monitor Google and Skype as well

After recent reports of the Indian government’s intentions to strong arm RIM into compromising the security of its BlackBerry devices,...

Continue Reading>>

Android Community Weekly: August 6 , 2011

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 24px;"></span><br /> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 13px/19px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 0.6em; padding-right: 0.6em; padding-top: 0.6em;"> <div mce_style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;"> <img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="210" mce_src="http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/4558/acweekly.jpg" src="http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/4558/acweekly.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="324" />It’s been another amazing week of tech news, and we’ll fill you in on anything you may have missed in this issue of Android Community Weekly! Monday, the LG THRILL 4G was officially reviewed by Chris Burns. We were also informed that the device would indeed be delayed until the end of August.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;"></span></div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> The HTC Desire finally received its very own update to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) this past Monday. Also expect an update very soon for the LG Revolution; it should include many bug fixes but still no Gingerbread upgrade. A couple applications saw new versions this week as well, Skype and Google+. Skype’s update in the Android Market included support for many more smartphones. As for Google+, you should definitely check out the improvements included into Huddles and Notifications. Those who unofficially update their devices will be pleased to know that the Sony XPERIA, Neo, PLAY, and Arc will officially be supported by CyanogenMod 7 very soon.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> AT&T recently informed it’s customers that it will move those with unlimited data to a tiered plan if they continue to tether their devices. This execution is most likely in response to their upcoming improved LTE data network. On that same note, the next generation Motorola ATRIX HD may run on AT&T’s 4G LTE towers.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> We’ve wondered who will be the SoC (System-on-a-chip) manufacturer for Google’s next flagship device for a long while now; and now it seems we have a winner! They seem to have chosen the Texas Instruments OMAP 4 CPU; nothing is set in stone, but this is the most information we’ve seen on the device.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Wednesday, Chris Burns ran a hands-on and unboxing for the HTC Wildfire S on T-Mobile. The device hit stores later that same day. A more thorough review of the Wildfire S took place the next day (when we actually found out how good this mid-ranged smartphone actually was!) It turns out that the Wildfire S performed surprisingly well in the benchmarks with its 600Mhz single-core processor. Also unboxed this week was the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 with 4G LTE. This sleek tablet certainly won’t disappoint us in its upcoming in-depth review by Cory Gunther.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Some interesting gadgets and applications have emerged this week, and hopefully some will set a trend into the future of technology. It turns out Motorola may be working on a new “Smartwatch” that runs Android OS. I’m not the kind of guy that wears a watch, but if this product actually takes flight then that may very well change! The Seagate GoFlex Satellite HDD now supports the Android operating system for transferring data over a WiFi connection. To use this feature, you must download the official Android app from the market. Another application worth taking a look at if you are in the market for buying a used car is VIN Viper. Just take a picture of the VIN # to get a rough price of what the vehicle is actually worth. It syncs with your Carfax account to look up any damages and incorporate them into the price. Yet another auto-oriented application released was the Nissan LEAF official Android app. With this, the driver will be able to see detailed specs on the life of their battery, set climate control, and even start the car remotely from your smartphone.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> We always try to end Android Community Weekly with any promotions/deals/savings to help bring you closer to owning anything Android! Currently, Verizon Wireless is offering $50 off a tablet when you purchase any cellphone, and with the fastest service around – it may be worth your while. Also, don’t forget to check back for the final winners of TABLETPALOOZA! They will be announced this coming Monday, August 8.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> )</div> </div> </div>

Android Community Weekly: August 6 , 2011

It’s been another amazing week of tech news, and we’ll fill you in on anything you may have missed in this issue of Android Community We...

Continue Reading>>

Updated: Official Skype for iPad app released

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman','Bitstream Charter',Times,serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px; padding: 0.6em;"> <div mce_style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;"> <img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="151" mce_src="http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/3182/skypeforipad200200.jpg" src="http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/3182/skypeforipad200200.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 640px;" width="200" /></div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Hours ago, the official Skype for iPad app was released into the Apple App Store, before being swiftly taken down again.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">Update:</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The app has now resurfaced in the App Store and is available to download.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> --</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> The new Skype app will enable users to video chat over Wi-Fi and 3G on their iPads.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Skype pulled the app, saying, "To ensure your best Skype experience, we've temporarily removed Skype for iPad, which went live prematurely today.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> "We know you've been eagerly awaiting Skype for iPad and apologise for the inconvenience."</div> <h4 style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 1.2em; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">Premature app-jaculation</span></h4> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Skype is hoping that offering video chat across 3G networks will give its iPad version an edge over Apple's proprietary FaceTime app.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Skype is staying tight-lipped over when the iPad app will make it back to the App Store, but we wouldn't be surprised to see it on there very soon indeed.</div> </div> </span></div>

Updated: Official Skype for iPad app released

Hours ago, the official Skype for iPad app was released into the Apple App Store, before being swiftly taken down again. Update:   Th...

Continue Reading>>

Skype for Android gets video calling update

<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="150" src="http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/2924/skypelogojpg200200.png" width="200" /></p><br/>Skype has updated its Android app bringing video calling to the smartphone party.<br/><br/>The new version, Skype for Android 2.0, allows HTC Desire S, Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo, Xperia Pro (good luck with that, it's not actually out yet) and Google Nexus S owners to make free video calls over both Wi-Fi and 3G.<br/><br/>As well as calling other Skype-toting Android phones, you'll be able to video-chat with Skype users on iPhone, Apple Macs, Windows PCS and web-cam-enabled Smart TVs.<br/><br/><strong>Android VHS</strong><br/><br/>Along with the video functionality, the app interface has had a bit of a spruce up, with a new main menu for easy navigation and a thrilling new 'mood message box' where you can update your current mood status.<br/><br/>If you're lucky enough to own one of the launch handsets, you can download the updated app from the Android market now.

Skype for Android gets video calling update

Skype has updated its Android app bringing video calling to the smartphone party. The new version, Skype for Android 2.0, allows HTC Desire ...

Continue Reading>>

Skype for Android hacked, does video on other Android handsets

<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-79186 aligncenter" height="150" src="http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/616/skypeandroid.jpg" title="skype-android" width="307" />Skype for Android’s latest release apparently supports only a bunch of other handsets – the HTC Desire S, Sony Ericsson Xperia neo, Sony Ericsson Xperia pro and the Google Nexus S. Trust the ever enterprising spirit of mankind to hack said version to include video call support on all the other non-listed Android-powered smartphones. The particular version that we’re referring to was released with the Samsung Galaxy S2 in mind, although the performance will not be limited to just that particular smartphone. While it remains too early to perform exhaustive testing for other models, the APK (installation file for Android phones) has been touted to work on the HTC EVO 4G, alongside the HTC Thunderbolt with some measure of success.</p><br/>Needless to say, only if your Android-powered smartphone has a front facing camera should you bother yourself with this version of Skype, and make sure that there is a decent processor hiding underneath the hood as well.<br/><div><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ubergizmo?a=6k4R8xsqudg:_qLl5K5e3T0:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/7079/93538393.gif" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ubergizmo?a=6k4R8xsqudg:_qLl5K5e3T0:qj6IDK7rITs"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/6167/39878358.gif" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ubergizmo?a=6k4R8xsqudg:_qLl5K5e3T0:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/884/58860005.gif" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ubergizmo?a=6k4R8xsqudg:_qLl5K5e3T0:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/4707/27247276.gif" /></a></div>

Skype for Android hacked, does video on other Android handsets

Skype for Android’s latest release apparently supports only a bunch of other handsets – the HTC Desire S, Sony Ericsson Xperia neo, Sony Eri...

Continue Reading>>

Skype wants the people to fix Skype 5 for Mac, will you answer the call?

<P align=center><img alt="" border="1" hspace="4" src="http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/4675/33111skypeformaccompeti.jpg" vspace="4"></P>Skype 5 for Mac leaves something to be desired -- we know it, you know it, and looks like Skype knows it too. That's why our fav VoIP app is soliciting the help of you, the people, to improve its UI. Skype's running a competition to find the one chat style to rule them all, and it starts taking custom CSS submissions April 8th. The contest has three rounds, with one judges' and one people's choice in each, followed by the selection of a grand prize winner from the six finalists. People's champs get an Apple TV and those picked by the judges snag a WiFi iPad 2, and all the winners get a copy of CSS3 for Web Designers</EM> and a year's subscription to Skype Unlimited World Extra. The grand prize is an eleven-inch MacBook Air, an iPad2, and the ego boost that comes with knowing your chat style forged in the flames of competition will be included in a coming release of Skype. Up to the challenge? Hit the source link for the full details.Skype wants the people to fix Skype 5 for Mac, will you answer the call? <br /><P><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/01/skype-wants-the-people-to-fix-skype-5-for-mac-will-you-answer-t/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">via</A></P>

Skype wants the people to fix Skype 5 for Mac, will you answer the call?

Skype 5 for Mac leaves something to be desired -- we know it, you know it, and looks like Skype knows it too. That's why our fav VoIP ap...

Continue Reading>>

Exclusive: Skype rejects Chinese VoIP ban

<div align="center"><img src="http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/3724/skypelogo200200.jpg" /></div>The Chinese government has moved to ban non-Chinese VoIP/internet telephony services in China, though Skype is refusing to accept the ban.<br /> The <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/8231444/China-makes-Skype-illegal.html">Telegraph</a> reported on Thursday 30 December that China had announced that it had made the use of Skype illegal in the country.<br /> The Chinese government announced that all internet phone calls were to be banned in China apart from those made over the two state-owned networks, China Unicom and China Telecom. <br /> <strong>Skype to be illegal</strong><br /> "[This] is expected to make services like Skype unavailable in the country," read a report in the Communist party newspaper People's Daily.<br /> For its part, Skype is refusing to accept the ban. When asked directly if China has banned or restricted the use of Skype anywhere in China, including on PCs or mobile phones, a Skype spokesperson said:<br /> "No, users in China currently can access Skype via TOM Online, our majority JV partner. TOM Online offers local versions of Skype for Windows, MAC as well as mobile platforms such as Symbian and Windows Mobile. More details can be found at <a href="https://londonph.grayling.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=https://londonph.grayling.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://skype.tom.com">skype.tom.com</a>."<br /> When pressed and asked if Skype can see such a move as possible, the Skype spokesperson added: "We do not comment on speculation."<br /> China is now the world's largest market for VoIP calls.<br /> The Chinese ministry of Industry and Information Technology has so far declined to comment on when the new regulations will be put in place.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.techradar.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source.</a>

Exclusive: Skype rejects Chinese VoIP ban

The Chinese government has moved to ban non-Chinese VoIP/internet telephony services in China, though Skype is refusing to accept the ban. ...

Continue Reading>>

5 headsets for Skype and gaming tested

<div align="center"><img src="http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/3043/owv51minitestheadphones.jpg" /></div>Looking for headphones that you can use to make Skype calls and for gaming?<br /> <em>Windows: The Official Magazine</em> has taken a quick look at five pairs.<br /> <strong>Genius HS-04U</strong> - £22.70<br /> Web: <a href="http://www.geniusnet.com/wSite/mp?mp=1">www.geniusnet.com</a> <br /> This cheap and cheerful headset lights up like a fair ride when it's plugged in, which is an unnecessary distraction. The problems don't end there – we couldn't adjust the volume, resulting in a deafening experience. They don't feel particularly well built, and the sound leaked so much that we wondered if any was actually going into our ears. Avoid. <br /> <strong>Verdict: 2/5</strong><br /> <strong>Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset G930</strong> - £136<br /> Web: <a href="http://www.logitech.com/">www.logitech.com </a><br /> Logitech's über-expensive cans are wireless, so you can be 40 feet from your PC and still hear what's going on. The buttons enable you to skip and pause music, too. For music, they're a little washed-out, but the surround sound set-up makes them ideal for gamers who don't want to clutter their desks. <br /> <strong>Verdict: 4/5 </strong><br /> <strong>Griffin MyPhones</strong> - £29.99<br /> Web: <a href="http://www.myphoneskids.com/">www.myphoneskids.com </a><br /> Not strictly a headset – these don't include a microphone – but they're a set of headphones designed especially for kids, and they automatically limit the volume to 85 decibels, which is slightly louder than an average conversation. The also have interchangeable, customisable inserts, and the sound quality is surprisingly decent. <br /> <strong>Verdict: 4/5</strong><br /> <strong>AKG Harman GHS 1</strong> - £99.99<br /> Web: <a href="http://www.akg.com/">www.akg.com </a><br /> This headset neatly folds up to a compact size, making it perfect for gamers on the go, or people who want to use Skype while on holiday. Despite the fact that they don't completely cover your ears, the sound they produce is surprisingly meaty, with impressive bass. We're not quite so sure about the day-glo orange cable, though… <br /> <strong>Verdict: 3/5 </strong><br /> <strong>Plantronics .Audio 655 DSP</strong> - £27.04<br /> Web: <a href="http://www.plantronics.com/europe_union/en_GB/">www.plantronics.com </a><br /> Plantronics' headphones look and feel a little plasticky, but they certainly deliver a rich, clear sound, and they're surprisingly cheap, too. The boom microphone does a really good job of picking up your voice, and it automatically mutes when it's moved into the up position. The headset also supports Skype 4.0, for high quality voice calls.<br /> <strong>Verdict: 5/5</strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.techradar.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source.</a>

5 headsets for Skype and gaming tested

Looking for headphones that you can use to make Skype calls and for gaming? Windows: The Official Magazine has taken a quick look at five...

Continue Reading>>

Skype for iPhone updates to 3.0, adds video calling

<img align="right" alt="" border="0" hspace="8" src="http://img814.imageshack.us/img814/1759/tuawskype12306978435.png" vspace="8" />In a move that's sure to make users stand up and say "Hallelujah," the latest update to the <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skype/id304878510?mt=8">Skype app for iPhone</a> finally adds video calling.<br /> <br /> The newest version of the app will allow users to make video Skype to Skype calls from their iPhone via Wi-Fi and 3G, and also call Skype desktop users on both OS X and Windows (and we presume their sorely neglected Linux users), as well as those using Skype on their iPhones and iPads.<br /> <br /> Naturally, if you're on an iPad, you won't get to send video back -- and you have to deal with the iPhone interface since there isn't a native Skype app for the iPad. But, iPad 2 could change that. If the new hardware is released with a camera, Skype will be ready for it, and hopefully with an iPad-optimized app as well. <br /> <br /> So, have fun with video chatting via Skype and let us know what you think of it in the comments!<br /> <br /> <h6></h6><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skype/id304878510?mt=8">Source</a>

Skype for iPhone updates to 3.0, adds video calling

In a move that's sure to make users stand up and say "Hallelujah," the latest update to the Skype app for iPhone finally adds...

Continue Reading>>

Skype video calls for iPhone now available

<P align=center><img src="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3724/skypelogo200200.jpg"></P><br /><P>Skype has launched its video-calling service for the Apple iPhone, a week earlier than many expected – with more announcements from the VoIP specialist due at CES 2011 in Las Vegas early next month.</P><br /><P>So if you have an iPhone 4 and want to make Skype-to-Skype video calls with others (either on their iPhones or PCs/Macs) then you can grab the latest version of Skype's iOS app from iTunes today.</P><br /><P>The video calling app will work over Wi-Fi or 3G, although initial tests show that the video quality and stuttering on 3G video calls are somewhat compromised when compared with the smooth flowing moving images on Wi-Fi.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Significantly better video-calls </STRONG></P><br /><P>"Video calling significantly enhances the user experience of Skype for iPhone, which is one of the top five free iPhone apps in 2010 according to Apple," said the company.</P><br /><P>"Now, users can make and receive free Skype-to-Skype calls, call mobiles and landlines around the world at very low rates, and now share more moments together with video on Skype for iPhone," </P><br /><P>The new Skype for iPhone app will also work with the with the iPhone 3GS, and iPod touch 4th generation with iOS 4.0 or above – although obviously only allowing the caller to send video from the single camera on the back of the phone or iPod in those cases.</P><br /><P>iPod touch 3rd generation and iPad will both be able to receive video calls, but not send them, due to the lack of video-shooting capabilities on those devices.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Skype from phone to PC</STRONG></P><br /><P>Most excitingly, for many Skype users, video calls can now be made between your PC or Mac laptop or desktop and your iOS device.</P><br /><P>Your desktop client will need to be Skype for Windows 4.2 or above (or Skype for Mac 2.8 and above) – plus the app will also work with other desktop clients and devices such as Skype for Linux and the Asus-manufactured standalone Skype Videophone.</P><br /><P>The Skype for iPhone application is freely available to download from the Apple App Store – for more head to <a href="http://www.skype.com/go/iphone">www.skype.com/go/iphone</A></P>

Skype video calls for iPhone now available

Skype has launched its video-calling service for the Apple iPhone, a week earlier than many expected – with more announcements from the VoIP...

Continue Reading>>

Skype rumoured to unveil iPhone video calls at CES

<P align=center><img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/images/Skype%20iPhone%20video%20calls-200-200.jpg"></P><br /><P>Skype is expected to make an announcement about bringing its video-calling service to the iPhone at CES 2011 in Vegas next month.</P><br /><P>A keen-eyed Skype user spotted a mistakenly posted help document that revealed Skype will finally be bringing its video calling to the iPhone.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Video calling goes primetime</STRONG></P><br /><P>Engadget noted that Skype has been telling everyone that it'll be making a "series of video-related announcements" at CES next month.</P><br /><P>Skype reps are set to participate in a panel at CES entitled "Video Calling Gets Ready for Primetime."</P><br /><P>This in addition to the 'Skype on iPhone' help document that was posted early all points towards a major mobile VoIP announcement on the way in Vegas.</P><br /><P>No word on Skype's plans to launch its video-calling on other platforms such as Android or BlackBerry. </P><br /><P>However, we will be on the ground in Vegas next month to bring you the official word from Skype regarding the future of mobile video calling. </P><br /><P><a href="http://www.techradar.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source</A></P>

Skype rumoured to unveil iPhone video calls at CES

Skype is expected to make an announcement about bringing its video-calling service to the iPhone at CES 2011 in Vegas next month. A keen-eye...

Continue Reading>>

Skype still struggling with outage

<P align=center><img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com///classifications/gadgets/phones/voip-phones/images/skype-logojpg-200-200.png"></P> <br /><P>The great Skype outage of 2010 continued long into Thursday with a large proportion of users still struggling to maintain connection to the popular VoIP service.</P><br /><P>In a situation, which strangely mirrors the UK travel chaos caused by the snow, some Skype users are up and running again while others remain stranded, unable to make free voice and video calls or send instant messages.</P><br /><P>On the company's official blog Skype's Peter Parks revealed that an estimated 10 million users were now back online, but that features may not work as efficiently as normal.</P><br /><P>The post read: "In the last hour, we've seen evidence of a significant increase in the number of people online. Because of the way the Skype software works, it's not possible for anyone to obtain an exact figure, but we now estimate it to be over 10 million. </P><br /><P>"Please note that some features may not work as reliably as expected – peoples' online status may be slow to update, and instant messages might not be delivered as quickly as they are normally. Group video calling will take longer to return to normal."</P><br /><P><STRONG>Christmas woe</STRONG></P><br /><P>On Wednesday the company had apologised for its first major outage since August 2007, which left many users unable to reach their loved ones at Christmas forcing them to explore other providers.</P><br /><P>Skype says its engineers are working hard at creating 'mega supernodes' - allowing individual connections between computers and devices - in order to restore service.</P><br /><P>The company is telling users to keep checking the <a href="about:Twitter.com/skype">Skype Twitter feed</A> for the latest information surrounding the mysterious outage.</P>

Skype still struggling with outage

The great Skype outage of 2010 continued long into Thursday with a large proportion of users still struggling to maintain connection to the...

Continue Reading>>

Android Skype update brings ability to run to SD, Galaxy S compatibility, but with a big catch

<DIV class=separator style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTT5sD5jyn7N3pEzWOm4vpSYX5R6R0zfFYqbisEYzPnmU4P1ninZBx8HRbUFhGHzb6R0h8A05Sm1VkktqBhYoAEY8LhjxFR2aVUVX7Gvh0lPKr0fknYxhsd9aSXm9korr7hp-zE9uVHOQ/s1600/skype-android2010-12-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTT5sD5jyn7N3pEzWOm4vpSYX5R6R0zfFYqbisEYzPnmU4P1ninZBx8HRbUFhGHzb6R0h8A05Sm1VkktqBhYoAEY8LhjxFR2aVUVX7Gvh0lPKr0fknYxhsd9aSXm9korr7hp-zE9uVHOQ/s1600/skype-android2010-12-16.jpg"></A></DIV>Sick of seeing that little hard disk with an exclamation point popping up on your Android handset? Yeah, us too. Thankfully we can now count Skype among the apps that can be moved to external storage. This new release also adds compatibility with the Samsung Galaxy S -- but there's a catch. Android 2.2 is required, which many Galaxy S owners may or may not actually have yet and, while some are said to be getting a dollop of FroYo this very month, we've certainly heard that before.

Android Skype update brings ability to run to SD, Galaxy S compatibility, but with a big catch

Sick of seeing that little hard disk with an exclamation point popping up on your Android handset? Yeah, us too. Thankfully we can now count...

Continue Reading>>

How to Compare Skype Phone Adapters

<P> <a a="" and="" be="" children="" may="" natural="" title="#jsArticleIntroImageCredit rel=thinbox><IMG title=" videophone=""></A></P><br /><P>Children and videophone may be a natural match.Fotolia.com</A>"> Small children may be confused by telephones: "I hear Grandma, but where is she?" With Skype technology it is possible for both Grandma and the child to see and hear each other, using webcams for their long-distance phone calls.</P><br /><P></P>Software and ServiceThe Skype software is downloadable from <a class="StrongLink"" href="http://www.ehow.com/internet/">the internet</A> free for video calls, instant messaging, and screen sharing. Skype is also available under a fee-for-service agreement as low as $2.95 per month and as a subscription service. Each of these offers a range of different options including mobile-to-mobile calling and call forwarding.RequirementsTo use Skype videophone or other services, users need a compatible <a class="StrongLink" href="http://www.ehow.com/computers/">computer</A> with internet connection of at least 512 kb, along with the most recent Skype for Windows software and an HD quality webcam. Recent technological advances have made it possible to use Skype without a computer.AccessoriesSkype recommends and sells both plug-in and wireless headsets for use with videophone services. The wired sets connect through a USB port or a microport. Cordless phones which require a base station as well as a PC are available for as little as $100. Cordless phones requiring only a router cost about the same amount.ComparisonsSkype customers need to purchase an incoming phone while other VoIP programs supply them free. However, the other programs charge an activation fee and Skype does not. Skype's domestic rates are generally lower than others, but international rates vary. Skype encrypts everything; others do not. Skype offers no Emergency 911 service. References <a href="http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-skype" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Skype: Make Skype a Part of Your Everyday Life</A> <a href="http://www.mhspot.com/skype_vs_sip_voip_provider.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MH Spot: Comparison of Skype Against Regular SIP VOIP Providers.</A>

How to Compare Skype Phone Adapters

  Children and videophone may be a natural match.Fotolia.com "> Small children may be confused by telephones: "I hear Grandma, ...

Continue Reading>>

Skype offers free UK-wide Wi-Fi

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/computing/internet-and-broadband/images/skype-logo-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>Leading VoIP-operator Skype is offering Brits UK-wide free Wi-Fi access to celebrate Internet Week Europe.</P><br /><P>Skype is offering Brits free public Wi-Fi until the 12 November this week. </P><br /><P>Users will have to access the internet using Skype Access, while in a Wi-Fi hotspot. </P><br /><P><STRONG>Celebrating European innovation</STRONG></P><br /><P>You will need to ensure that you have the latest update of the Skype client installed on your PC or Mac to make use of the free Wi-Fi offer this week.</P><br /><P><a href="http://www.internetweekeurope.com/">Internet Week Europe</A> features over 100 themed events to celebrate internet companies and organisations across Europe, with a number of events taking place throughout the UK across the week. </P><br /><P>The initiative is being supported by major internet companies including Google and Yahoo! </P><br /><P>The idea of an 'Internet Week' is to raise the profile of the many new online and digital innovations from European companies.</P><br /><P>To check out what's happening in your area, head over to <a href="http://www.internetweekeurope.com/">internetweekeurope.com</A>. </P>

Skype offers free UK-wide Wi-Fi

Leading VoIP-operator Skype is offering Brits UK-wide free Wi-Fi access to celebrate Internet Week Europe. Skype is offering Brits free publ...

Continue Reading>>

How to Configure a D-Link DIR-615 for Skype

<P>Launch your Skype program on your computer.</P><P>Click the "Tools" menu, then choose "Options."</P><P>Click "Advanced," then select "Connection."</P><P>Record the five-digit port number in the port text box at the top of the configuration page. This will be a random port number chosen by Skype when it first installs, so it may be different for different computers.</P><P>Launch a Web browser on a computer connected to your D-Link DIR-615.</P><P>Type "192.168.0.1" in the browser address bar and press the "Enter" key on your keyboard. This will launch a login prompt for your administrator dashboard.</P><P>Type the administrator user name and password to log in. If you haven't changed these, the default is a user name of "Admin" and a blank password.</P><P>Click the "Advanced" tab on your dashboard and select "Port Forwarding" from the left-hand menu. This will take you to the port-forwarding settings on your router.</P><P>Type "Skype" in the "Name" text box.</P><P>Choose your computer's name from the "Computer Name" drop-down menu.</P><P>Type "80, 443, (Skype port number)," where the last number is the five-digit port number you recorded earlier, in the "Start" and "End" text boxes.</P><P>Click "Save Settings" to allow your router to open the Skype ports on the router for your computer.</P>

How to Configure a D-Link DIR-615 for Skype

Launch your Skype program on your computer. Click the "Tools" menu, then choose "Options." Click "Advanced," ...

Continue Reading>>

Simple Tricks For Using Skype and Looking Like a Pro

<br /> <p>One of the great things about technology is our ability to appear as put together and ready as any competitor with a great Internet and contact presence. After all can anyone really tell what your offices look like over the Internet or telephone? Unless you spend a ton of money and get great photos of your shop like my friends at TruSpeed Motorcars, there is no way for someone to know unless they show up. As long as you don't toss up picture of your cat sitting in the litter box and call it your business website, you are probably in good shape.</p><p>Recently I wrote an article about starting a business for less than a grand. That part is easy, it is the <br /><br>"doing" that is hard for most folks. A friend of mine read the article and followed it to the letter, thus beginning the creation of a new business for him. It was really cool to see first hand how someone interprets my thinking and how much I take for granted what people understand.</p><p>My friend called me to tell me about the adventure which showed me were I left some information out. I left out a couple of important steps in the section on how to use Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP to look big on a small budget. My office is a hodge podge of Vonage and Skype. My hands down favorite is Skype. If you called right now, chances are I would take the call on my computer and talk to you over Skype. It doesn't matter if you call my cell number, my Vonage number or my Skype number. I have them all "ringing" or forwarded to my Skype account first, my cell second, and the Vonage phone third.</p><p>The handset phone in the office is used so infrequently that when my wife got locked out of our house by a real estate agent, she sat in my office for an hour waiting for someone. Her cell phone was inside the house, she didn't know the password to my computer and didn't even know there was still one plain old phone hidden next to our large color printer. She was 3 feet from freedom for an hour and didn't know it.</p><p>The only real feature all of these VoIP systems are all missing is a time scheduler. i.e. at 10 pm stop forwarding to my cell, go directly to voice-mail. I do miss that part of the phone system we used when I was still paying crazy rent for office and retail space.</p><p>Within Skype there are a couple of options that I can't recommend strong enough. First, get a local number for every area code you do business in. This is clearly ancient marketing and for some reason still works. No one calls our toll free numbers anymore and area codes are becoming a thing of the past for cell users. In the office, the old school phone systems still care.</p><p>The next must use feature is on your account page, it is caller id. No one wants to answer a call from 100012345 on their cell phone, can you blame them? Every telemarketing hack shows up that way. Separate yourself from this crowd of telemarketing hacks and look like you are ready to do business. If you are a Skype user you can do this now under the Skype menu, then select account. If you bought an on line number, you can use that for your caller id. It used to be that you could also use your mobile number if you connected the accounts, you can't anymore, at least not the business accounts. The caller id isn't always displayed, but it is worth it for the 80% or so times it does.</p><p>Finally if you want to go all out, get a great sounding microphone. I use the Blue snowball and everyone says it sounds great. Music stores have the best selection of USB microphones for reducing echo or sitting on a desk. At $199 the Blue Snowball looks cool too. Another option is to use a high quality blu-tooth headset like the Plantronics Pro or 521. I have six different blu-tooth headsets and these two are what I use when I travel with my laptop. It is really cool to jump on a WiFi hot spot and be able to run my business and work with customers just about anywhere. I like my office, but I like the bench in front of Starbucks on Balboa Island a whole lot better.</p> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><br /> <p>For More information on getting your life and business tracking to the top, visit Scott's website, <a href="http://www.sonowwhatscott.com" target="_new">http://www.sonowwhatscott.com</a> or his business at <a href="http://www.rusticcreek.com" target="_new">http://www.rusticcreek.com</a></p> <br />

Simple Tricks For Using Skype and Looking Like a Pro

One of the great things about technology is our ability to appear as put together and ready as any competitor with a great Internet and c...

Continue Reading>>

How to Sign in a Phone Number in Skype

<P>Launch a Web browser and navigate to the Skype Online Number purchase page (see Resources). Click "Get an online number."</P><P>Select the country and state for which you would like your Skype Online Number based.</P><P>Select your preferred phone number. You can use the search box to find number combinations that are easy to remember.</P><P>Select your payment plan and then click "Buy Now." You may need to enter your billing information and credit card number to complete the transaction if you have never purchased a product from Skype before using your account.</P>

How to Sign in a Phone Number in Skype

Launch a Web browser and navigate to the Skype Online Number purchase page (see Resources). Click "Get an online number." Select ...

Continue Reading>>

Skype 5.0 for Mac arrives in beta

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/computing/mac/skype_mac_beta-200-200.jpg"/><p>Skype 5.0 for Mac has arrived in beta, with the popular communications tool aiming to provide a "more Mac-like experience".</p><p>Skype was keen to overhaul the look and feel of its software to make sure that Apple fans enjoyed using the service. </p><p>"It was worth the wait – the new Skype 5.0 is now available for Mac today in beta, introducing a revamped look and feel that simplifies navigation and provides a more Mac-like experience," <a href="http://blogs.skype.com/en/2010/11/mac.html">blogged Skype's Krishna Panicker</a>. </p><p><strong>Ease-of-use</strong></p><p>"For example, the Skype app has been brought together in one window for ease-of-use, and the Mac address book has been integrated, making it possible for you to call, IM and SMS your contacts when they are online or offline."</p><p>The new features in Skype 5.0 include a new call-control bar, a search chat content option, Offline IM and a Floating Contacts Monitor.</p><p>But the headline addition is group video calling – which could well prove a major reason to upgrade. </p><img border="0" height="1" src="http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/9809/s/f58b478/mf.gif" width="1"/><div class='mf-related'><p>

Skype 5.0 for Mac arrives in beta

Skype 5.0 for Mac has arrived in beta, with the popular communications tool aiming to provide a "more Mac-like experience". Skype...

Continue Reading>>