Skype just received a fresh new design and a UI overhaul for Windows and Mac, with much emphasis placed on the IM functionality. According to Skype, a large number of users have been found to be sending IMs during a video chat, and I can definitely include myself in that list. If you’ve been using Skype on mobile, the change might not be a shocker to you as you pick up the design cues that were originally used for the mobile versions of Skype. While the new Skype has been released for Mac, Windows users get access to a preview version for now.
It took quite a while for VideoLan to bring forth a Metro-fied version of its famed VLC media player app for Windows 8, but despite the lengthy delay, it was definitely worth the wait. Late on last year, Microsoft went ahead and pushed Windows 8.1, a reasonably tweaked and improved version of the original Windows 8, and although it has once again taken a while, VLC for Windows 8.1 is now upon us. Full details, as well the all-important download link, can be seen after the break.
Apple has just released iTunes 11.2.2 - a fairly rudimentary update that fixes issues relating to podcasts. Apparently, some users were finding that podcast episodes were accidentally downloading after the previous installment, which was iTunes 11.1.1, and thus, Apple felt it necessary to push another update that also includes a bunch of stability improvements.
Along with the release of OS X Mavericks 10.9.3, Apple has also updated the iTunes app to version 11.2. The download is only available to those running 64-bit Windows and Mac OS X, so if you're rocking either platform, check the important details below.
When Microsoft detailed what would be part of its Windows Phone 8.1 update, one of the features that caught our eye was the introduction of 'Project My Screen.' Having the ability to display a smartphone's screen output on a computer may not seem too exciting at first, but if you throw a touch-screen monitor into the equation, things start to get interesting. Unfortunately though, the PC aspect of the whole thing wasn't quite ready, leaving eager tweakers to sit on their hands and wait.
Satya Nadella, the recently-appointed CEO of Microsoft and the third since its inception, was chosen for the role by the board for a variety of reasons. One of his core strengths - his heavy involvement in the company's cloud services - was seen as the vital tool needed to carry the company forward into the cloud-based era, and already, we're seeing evidence of the rationale behind his appointment. Today, Microsoft released a new, free OneNote app for Mac, a further free OneNote utility for its own Windows OS, and notably, a cloud-based API facilitating the integration of both first and third-party apps with with OneNote.
We've all been in the predicament whereby we're so consumed by work at our desktops that we forget to charge our mobile devices, and when the time to leave just seems to creep up on us, we're left cursing the fact that we'll have to spend the remainder of the day rationing those precious last few droplets of juice. But while a battery alert is easy enough to miss or ignore when we're frantically trying to keep atop our email inboxes or compose documents, desktop notifications are a little harder to shake off. With this in mind, iBetterCharge seeks to ensure that we don't leave our iPhone or iPad bereft of battery by pushing alerts straight to the OS X Notification Center, and not only does the app presents itself as a novel idea, but it's also executed to perfection.
The first beta of Firefox for Windows 8 Touch has just been made public, and if you happen to be an owner of the Microsoft Surface, Lenovo IdeaPad Touch, or any other such device, you will definitely want to be testing this one out. As ever, much attention to detail has been paid by Mozilla, creator of the famed Firefox browser, and even though it's just a beta and thus, will be expected to harbor some imperfections, it certainly does take full advantage of Windows 8's unique functionality. Full details, as well as information on how to download the beta for your device, can be seen after the fold.
As everyone knows, Skype is now a Microsoft company which must make it even more galling for the Redmond firm when competitive VoIP applications launch impressive apps for its Windows platform, and that's exactly what Viber has now done.
Apple has recognized the ongoing needs of its iCloud users using alternative desktop operating systems. The Cupertino based company has officially released an updated version of iCloud Control Panel offering Windows 8.1 support and taking the software to v3.1. Microsoft's latest update to Windows has been with us since the middle of October, bringing with it a number of important aesthetic and functionality based changes and improvements. Apple's latest launch of its updated iCloud Control Panel signifies the company's commitment to those who prefer to use Windows over its own OS X powered Macs.