Despite various services out there that have become all the rage for video conferencing and VoIP calling, Skype remains the medium of choice for a large majority of users. And it makes sense, too; in my personal experience, short of FaceTime, nothing gives as good an experience as Skype. Today, the company has released an update for its iOS app that enables users to host group audio calls for free, right from their iPhones.
In the modern Digital Age, the primary IM services are WhatsApp, Kik Messenger, iMessage alongside a myriad of others boasting millions of users. But not so long ago, Microsoft's MSN Messenger was the dominant force, but after the Windows maker acquired Skype for the tidy sum of $8.5 billion, things seemed to wane. Now, after 15 long years - the last few of which have been in relative obscurity - the software maker has finally decided to kill off MSN Messenger for good, which means users in China - which is the last place where Messenger lives - will have to say goodbye to Microsoft’s famed messaging service for good.
Microsoft's takeover of Nokia was finalized last week, and most of the news over the weekend has been related to the big transition. The newly-bolstered software maker is very keen to get back to business as usual, however, and on Monday, made a noteworthy tweak to the pricing of the app of its previous major acquisition - Skype. The change sees group calling go free on Windows, OS X and Xbox One, and you can catch the important details after the fold.
The official Skype app for Android has been handed a useful update, with tablet users running Google's mobile operating system now able to enjoy picture-in-picture video calling capabilities. The new feature is somewhat based on the Snap View found in Windows 8.x, and will certainly enhance the general usability of Microsoft's popular chat service. Full details, as well as the download info, can be seen after the break.
Although every iOS device now ships with built-in support for FaceTime, Microsoft-owned Skype still enjoys a decent following on Apple's range of mobile products. Today, many months after Windows Phone was treated to HD video calling support, the Redmond has updated its iPhone and iPad apps to deliver the same functionality to those in ownership of the iPhone 5 and iPad 4. Despite Microsoft dragging its heels in rolling out this update, there's quite a noticeable difference in quality, so if you're a Skyper who just so happens to own a fourth-gen iPad or the iPhone 5, you'll want to pick up the updated Skype for iOS app right now from the App Store.
Skype users can now make audio and video calls from within Microsoft's new Outlook.com email service. More details after the jump.
If you have been a loyal user of Skype, you have likely run into the hurdle of reaching a user when they are offline. While sending SMS messages often does the trick, sometimes a video message is just more convenient. The good news is that Skype has begun rolling out this feature in the form of an update for its Mac, iPhone and Android client, with support for other platforms such as Windows coming very soon.
With Microsoft making the announcement that they would be closing down the Windows Live Messenger platform and recently confirming that closure date; there will undoubtedly be a lot more attention paid to Skype. Windows Live Messenger users will automatically have their accounts migrated across to Skype to allow them to simply download the software, log in and begin sending IMs, making video and audio calls to their contacts.
For those of you that like to be frugal and shop only when the deals are rolling in, the holiday season is as good a time as any to take advantage of the many price drops and savings available on the market. While many of you will undoubtedly be meeting up with friends and relatives during the course of the coming weeks, time, financial and practical constraints mean it is not always possible to arrange face-to-face meetings, but in these instances, we've long since leaned on Skype for a helping hand. Microsoft acquired the telecommunications company some time ago, and in an effort to turn occasional or would-be users into regular, paying customers, the Redmond company is running a great promotional deal.
Since acquiring Skype, Microsoft has been implementing the VoIP software and technology into every product possible. So far, so good, and as well as a slew of new apps for various different platforms, the promotions have also been rolled out at a rate of knots. In the latest, regular Skype users can make free calls for a month not only to other Skype users, but to mobiles and landlines.