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Skype adds video voicemail to Windows desktop beta
You'd think that with Skype firmly under Microsoft's control, the service would roll out new features to Windows first. Bizarrely, though, that's not the case. Skype's video voicemail feature, which previously soft launched on Android, iOS and OS X, is now coming to Windows 7 and up (a Windows 8 version should be forthcoming), hitting the company's end of April promise. The feature, still labeled a preview, works exactly as advertised, letting users record short video clips that can be sent to and viewed by any contact regardless of their OS. There's one caveat though: you'll need to install Skype 6.5 beta for Windows desktop and Flash to test it out. It's just a risk your vainglorious self will have to take for modernity.
Skype starts testing video voicemail feature on OS X, Android and iOS, we go hands-on (video) (update)
Facebook and Vine were just the beginning -- you should have known that. Especially once the biggest social network in the world started dipping its toes in the VoIP pool. Skype isn't about to let others encroach on its hard won territory without a fight. The Microsoft-owned messaging platform has started testing what amounts to a video voicemail feature on OS X, Android and iOS, something that had already been hinted at in its updated TOS. Why those operating systems at first, without any word about Windows or Windows Phone, we're unsure. But it's a safe bet Redmond's own platforms will get the feature sooner rather than later. Currently users in the US and UK should be seeing the option, just dig a bit as it might be hidden behind a more actions or overflow icon, as it is on Android. Customers are getting 20 free video messages to start, though we weren't able to wrangle any further details out of the company regarding pricing. (Update: While we still have some unanswered questions regarding pricing, Skype did say that unlimited voice messaging will be included as part of a premium subscription.) (Update 2: A Skype spokesperson reached out to us with the following statement about availability: "Users in these markets across all Windows desktop and mobile platforms can receive messages, too. We will have send capability in Windows by end of April. In the meantime, we continue to test this new feature in its early release." April isn't ideal, but it's better than nothing.)
Tango adds voicemail-esque Video Messaging, gives you new way to ignore friends
Picture this: you roll out of bed, in all your ungroomed glory, and an important video call rings in on your smartphone -- what do you do? Miss the call, or subject the caller to your lopsided bedhead and pre-coffee grimace? If you route your video calls through Tango, soon you won't have to do either -- the outfit is updating its video calling service to introduce Video Messaging, a new feature that will let callers leave behind 30-second video clips when their hails go unanswered. Your five most recent video messages are free, but watching older clips costs a premium: $2.99 for 30 days of access, or $29.99 for a year Update: Tango will charge $0.99 for every 5 additional messages. Tango will also be introducing "Tango Surprises," a collection of animations and overlays that can be applied to videos to add a touch of whimsy. Again, the first taste is free -- all users will be given a single animation as a sample -- the entire set of "Surprises" can be purchased for paltry sum of $1.99. The update hasn't cleared Apple's approval process yet, but if you're hankering for a peek, head past the break for a pair of videos. Update: Tango has updated us, stating that the previously listed prices were incorrect, and that they are being changed to comply with Apple guidelines.
DoCoMo launching video voicemail
It only makes sense that if you're using your 3G phone to make video calls, you should be able to leave video voicemail (or videomail, as it were). Apparently each person's FOMA "Answering Machine Service" inbox will have room for as many as 20 messages (though if you don't check it for 72 hours they'll start getting deleted willy nilly). Oh, the possibilities.[Via TechJapan]
