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Adware found in MacUpdate's Skype Installer package
Long-trusted software site MacUpdate has apparently gone the way of its competitors: It has been tainted by adware. A Twitter user tried to download a Skype Installer package from the site and discovered that all was not as it appeared. The file looks normal at first and when opened you're prompted with a user agreement that people generally just click past, but it's here that gives the installer the right to change browser settings and add a "search-assist" browser extension. This type of software-trickery is identical to those used by InstallCore adware and as soon as the Skype agreement is confirmed, an InstallCore browser is added to Safari. It's usually wise to download software from the developer's site but the appeal of MacUpdate was that it acted like a one-stop-shop of sorts, carrying with it a strong reputation for reliable downloads. Now, with this news coming to light, maybe it will have to be added to the boycott list right under Download.com and Softonic.
The TUAW Daily Update Podcast for April 28, 2014
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get some the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the player at the top of the page. The Daily Update has been moved to a new podcast host in the past few days. Current listeners should delete the old podcast subscription and subscribe to the new feed in the iTunes Store here.
Skype for Mac version 6.9 is out, brings more specific screen sharing options
Not a major overhaul by any means, but good news for anyone who's been using Skype for Mac and has been frustrated by a few lingering limitations. The latest build, version 6.9, corrects an annoying bug that caused the name field to overlap with mood messages on certain profile pages. The Skype team also changed the way screen sharing works, so that you can share just a specific window if you want, and not the whole screen. Other changes: when you do a search from the toolbar, phone numbers for Mac contacts now appear in the results. If you hover your cursor over links, it'll now look like a hand. Finally, Skype added support for three more European languages: Swedish, Finnish and European Portuguese. And that's all she wrote! Hit up that second source link below to download the latest version.
Skype adds video messaging to Skype for Mac, iPhone and iPad
Skype is usually about communicating in real time, but today the Microsoft subsidiary added a new feature that works even in those cases when your recipient isn't going to be able to see you right now -- video messaging. Skype Video Messaging has been in beta for a while; today the free feature is becoming available to all users. All video messages are sent and received free of charge, regardless of how often you wish to share video snippets with friends and family. Messages can be up to three minutes long. Although there are no editing tools built into the current incarnation of Skype video messaging, you can always go back and re-record your message until it's perfect. Updates to Skype for Mac, iPhone and iPad are expected to be out later today to enable video messaging for all users. In the meantime, enjoy the video below showing how the feature will work.
Skype 6.0 for Mac available with Facebook, Microsoft logins
Are you ready for a new version of Skype for Mac? Skype 6.0 showed up today with a few new changes, including the ability to sign in with either Facebook or Microsoft login credentials. If you've never used Skype before, there's now no need to set up a separate Skype account -- you can use your Facebook account to log in. Mac users who have come over from the dark side but still have a Microsoft login can use that to get into Skype. Other changes to Skype 6.0 for Mac include the ability to have open chats in multiple windows and support for the growing number of Macs with Retina displays. Since Skype is now owned by Microsoft, there are also a number of new and coming features dealing with using the app to send instant messages to your friends in your Windows Live Messenger, Hotmail and Outlook.com contact books.
Skype 5.11 beta for Mac adds instant messaging features, enhanced Facebook integration
OS X folks that don't mind dealing with the occasional software bug may want to check out today's Skype 5.11 beta release. Inside this new version, early adopters will find the ability to sign in and send / receive instant messages using a Microsoft account (Messenger, Xbox, Hotmail or Outlook), as well as being able to log in with Facebook credentials -- essentially this eliminates the need to first create a Skype account. Additionally, users now have the option to link up their Microsoft and Facebook accounts with the VoIP service, which would bring all of your beloved friends list into one simple hub. There are other minor tidbits included in Skype 5.11 (read: redesigned emoticons) that can be put to the test now, all you have to do is hit the source link below and download a copy for yourself.
Skype to update Mac client to fix IM bug (Updated)
If you're a Skype user, then you probably ought to know about this: Skype 5.8 for Mac, as well as similar versions for Windows, Linux, and Windows Phone, has a bug that unintentionally shares instant messages with other contacts on a user's friend list. Skype describes the bug as follows: Based on recent Skype customer community posts and our own investigation over the past couple of days, we have identified a bug that we are working hard to fix. This issue occurs only when a user's Skype client crashes during a Skype IM session, which may in some cases result in the last IM entered or sent prior to the crash being delivered to a different IM contact after the Skype client is rebooted or logged in as a new user. Although we cannot determine precisely how many users may have been affected by this error, we believe the number is small given the very specific circumstances under which the error occurs. At Skype, our customer experience is paramount and we are working hard to release fixes for impacted clients within the next several days. The Skype clients impacted include: Skype 5.10 for Windows, Skype 5.8 for Mac, Skype 4.0 for Linux, Skype 1.2 for Windows Phone. We urge all Skype customers to download the latest client as soon as they are notified that any update, including this fix, is available. As of 2 PM GMT on July 17, 2012, hotfixes for Skype for Windows and Skype for Linux are available for download. Although there's no announcement of a hotfix for Skype for Mac so far, you may wish to "Check for Updates" to receive the update as soon as possible. I was able to get an update to version 5.8.0.945, although this page shows that the hotfix version will be 5.8.0.1207. Update: The hotfix is now available. Once again, using Check for Updates within the Skype for Mac app will locate and install the update, or you can download a completely new installation of Skyle 5.8.0.1207 here.
Skype's latest update for Windows and Mac apps fixes bugs, improves stability
Those of you who are frequent users of Skype on Windows, Mac or Linux will know that the Microsoft-owned video chat service is often rather busy pushing out updates to its desktop applications. And, you guessed it, today's no exception. Unlike in previous occasions, however, this time Skype's software goods are only for folks using Redmond or Cupertino machines -- but they're also quite diminutive, so the Linux crowd won't be missing out on too much. How so? Well, both versions (Mac 5.8, Windows 5.10) aren't really adding any fresh features, only bringing an undisclosed amount of "generic" bug fixes and some unspecified enhancements to keep the apps running smoothly. You can grab the updates now from either of the links below, or straight from the Skype application on your computer.
Skype for Windows, Mac and Linux all get updates on the same day
Skype in all its forms received incremental updates for those video conferencing addicts out there. The Windows flavor gained various UI improvements, including a pinnable contacts list, backwards-compatible video rendering for older machines and better Facebook integration. Meanwhile, the Mac version got a similarly refreshed interface, improved screen sharing for premium users and a bunch of fixes necessary to get the software ready for Mountain Lion. Over on the Linux table, users will find improved video and audio quality along with a raft of minor bug fixes and improvements. The revised versions are available to grab as soon as you re-launch the phone-troubling software.
Skype for Mac gets mild refresh, adds auto updates and improved UI in group calls
We know you've had your fair share of troubles adjusting to the fifth iteration of Skype for Mac. Now, Microsoft is issuing yet another quick refresh to go along with the support for HD calls and Lion. This time, though, the desktop app is adding automatic updates -- which should come in handy for those who aren't fans of manual labor -- as well as the promise of an improved UI in group calls, the ability to delete convos and disable audio gain control. Additionally, you'll now be able to use full-screen mode if you're running Apple's King of the Jungle OS. Skype version 5.6 is up for grabs now at no cost, and you can upgrade via the source link below or directly from the application on your machine.
Skype for Mac Beta update adds revamped call UI, incoming video calls
Skype's Mac Beta software was anointed with another update this morning, adding an "improved" user interface and new voice call support. With version 5.5, users will be able to accept incoming calls with or without video, while taking advantage of the program's streamlined layout, which has apparently made it easier for them to mute, transmit videos, share screens and add others on to their calls. Skype is currently asking for feedback on the new build, so if you wanna give it a spin for yourself, check out the source link below.
Skype 5.4 beta hits Mac with added Facebook integration
Skype brought deeper Facebook integration to its Windows application with version 5.5 this summer, and it's now seen fit to bring the same functionality to Mac users with the beta version of Skype 5.4. As with Skype for Windows, that will let you do things like chat with your Facebook friends, read and update your news feed, and even "Like" posts -- all from right in Skype. What it doesn't bring, however, are any significant changes to the still-controversial UI, which we're guessing will be enough to keep some folks on version 2.8.
Skype 5.3 adds Lion support, HD video calls
Although Skype has been working fine with OS X Lion -- heck, I used version 5.1 for last week's TUAW TV Live and it worked wonderfully -- the team at Skype has made another revision to the popular internet calling / video chat application. Skype 5.3 for Mac OS X is now available for download and installation, and it brings several new features to users. Probably the biggest improvement is that you can now make HD quality video calls on Skype when using the "FaceTime HD Cameras" built into the newest iMacs and MacBook Pros or third-party HD webcams like the Logitech C910. Skype recommends that your broadband internet upload and download speeds be at least 1.5 Mbps. Skype also made some changes to the user interface, making the Mac app a bit more like the iPad version of the software. It's billed as Lion-compatible, but doesn't include features like full-screen mode or multi-touch gestures. If you're already a Skype user, you can download and install the update using the Check for Updates item under the Skype menu.
Skype for Mac updates to 5.3, adds Lion and HD video call support
The good folks over at Skype have been mighty busy recently. In the last month (give or take a day) the company has announced integration with Facebook, launched a new version of its Windows client to support the social network, released an iPad-optimized version, and expanded Android support to an additional 17 handsets. Now the video-chat stalwart has update its Mac app with support for Lion and HD video calls -- something Microsoft fans have been enjoying since 2010. You can check out the full announcement and download Skype 5.3 for Max OS X at the source link.
