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Snapchat adds bitmoji reactions and threaded replies to chats
Other new features include emoji-driven polls in stories and snaps.
Apple's creepy new show 'Calls' is a star-filled visual podcast
Apple's latest TV show, Calls, is a podcast thriller in visual form.
Research shows answering one robocall doesn't lead to more
Researchers used 66,606 fake phone lines to better understand robocalls.
Signal lets you see more info before you accept a message from a stranger
Signal lets you see a sender's profile before you accept, delete or block a message or call.
FCC wants to fine one man almost $13 million for making 6,000 robocalls
When the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) typically fines robocallers, they're usually operations that involve shady companies. Not so with the agency's latest proposed action, which targets a single individual. On Thursday, the FCC said it wants to fine one man $12,910,000 for carrying out massive robocalling campaigns in six states. In all, the person made more than 6,000 calls in California, Flordia, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa and Virginia using an online tool that allowed them to mask their calls as coming from a local number.
Congress approves the TRACED Act to fight robocalls
Today, Senate approved the TRACED Act, or Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement Act. The legislation could give the government new powers to prosecute robocallers, The Washington Post says. It would also require carriers that authenticate and block spam callers to share those services with customers for free.
Google Voice users can start calls and send messages with Siri
Following its latest iOS update, Google Voice now works with Siri. You can use Apple's assistant to start calls or send messages through the service. You can enable Siri control by going to the Google Voice options and marking a default account for calls outside the app. Then, you'll have to activate the Use with Siri option for the app in the iOS device settings.
Windows 10 preview brings Android phone calls to your PC
Windows 10's Your Phone calling support is finally here, provided you're willing to live life on the edge. Microsoft has released a Windows 10 Insider Preview for Fast ring testers that adds the ability to take and start calls from your PC. You'll need a handset running at least Android 7.0 Nougat or later (it doesn't have to be from Samsung), the Your Phone Android app as well as a PC with Bluetooth support, but after that it's simple. You can initiate a call through your contacts or an in-app dialer. If you'd rather not accept an incoming call, you can respond with a text or send the caller straight to voicemail.
FCC proposal would limit robocalls to reassigned phone numbers
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is continuing his seemingly relentless quest to rid the US of robocalls. The regulator has proposed more measures that would fight spam calls and texts, particularly people with reassigned numbers. The first proposal would create a database of reassigned numbers that would stop businesses (law-abiding businesses, at least) from calling numbers after they've been changed. You'd hopefully get fewer sales pitches intended for others.
iOS 12 uses third-party apps to report spam calls and messages
Right now, there isn't much you can do to fight spam calls and text messages directly from your iPhone. You can report iMessages, but not much more. That's all set to change with iOS 12, however. Hidden amidst the many other feature updates is support for third-party app extensions that will let you report unwanted calls or texts from within the Phone and Messages apps. You'll just have to swipe on an offending number or chat to pop up the option to flag it, block it or both.
Amazon allows Echo call-blocking a month after it should have
Last month, Amazon introduced Alexa calling and messaging, features tailor-made for the Echo and its all-hearing microphone, letting you do busywork while chatting with friends. However, it neglected to add call-blocking for specific contacts, making it equally convenient for unwanted callers to invade your space. Luckily, the company has finally righted that wrong by introducing call-blocking with the latest version of its iOS app.
FCC axes plan to allow phone calls on flights
There hasn't exactly been a groundswell of support for in-flight phone calls in the US, and regulators are now ready to drop the idea. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has proposed that his agency cancel a 2013 proceeding that would have let people make cellphone calls on aircraft. It's in the "public interest," he claims, and removing the option from the table would be a win for people who "value a moment of quiet" in the skies.
Volvo's high-end cars will come with Skype built in
Many people depend on Skype to chat with family, colleagues and clients throughout their working day. To help them stay connected while they're outside the office, Volvo has announced plans to integrate Skype for Business into its high-end 90 Series cars. Accessible through a large touchscreen dashboard, drivers will see a list of scheduled meetings and a shortcut to their complete contact list. Tapping once will reveal a meeting summary, including the organiser, participants and the ways in which they can join the call. A "Join Meeting" shortcut will reside at the bottom so users can quickly dial in -- no pesky pin codes required (hopefully).
BT is raising prices for (almost) everyone in July
If you enjoy BT's phone, broadband or TV services, you can expect those packages to get a little more expensive in the coming months. According to The Guardian, the provider has announced a series of inflation-busting price increases, which will its see standard broadband rise from £13 to £15 and its £25-per-month superfast fibre connections go up by an average of £2.05 from July 3rd. However, BT says it will boost download allowances by 20 percent to make up for it.
Skype for Web lets you make calls to mobile phones and landlines
Skype for Web arrived last summer, delivering voice and video calls alongside IM-style chatting in your browser. To deliver more functionality, the web-based version of the service is getting a few updates that will make it work more like the desktop and mobile apps. First, you can now call landline or mobile phones with Skype for Web. Before now, you could only dial up other Skype users, so this is certainly a welcome addition. This means you'll be able to make those international calls as needed, but you'll have to buy some credits or a subscription to employ the feature.
Skype for Android lets you schedule calls, open Office files
Skype is constantly getting new tools to make call-related tasks easier, and today the Android version received two more. First, there's now an option for scheduling calls in the mobile app. Select the contact you want to schedule a call with and select the appropriate item from the drop-down menu. This will allow you to block off time in Outlook or your calendar app of choice.
Skype makes it easy to start work calls in Slack
If you think the one thing Slack is missing is the ability to start voice/video calls, you're in luck. Skype released a preview version of its Slack integration, allowing you begin calls inside the workplace chat room app. Once you add Skype's new feature to Slack, typing /skype in a chat window will offer a join link for your colleagues to call in.
Skype gets shareable conversation links for easy invites
Need to invite someone to join a Skype session? Well, that task just got a lot easier. The video-chatting app added a new feature that lets you invite folks to join a conversation with a shareable link. All you have to do is nab the URL, send it to the person and they can click it to join. What's more, the invitee doesn't need a Skype account to do so. Clicking on a shared link can employ Skype on the web as a guest, but it'll still offer access to messaging and both video and voice calls. If you're familiar with sharing links to Dropbox or OneDrive files, you have an idea of how this works. It sounds like a simple addition, but it's sure to save time, and allow people who aren't using the app to easily participate as needed.
WhatsApp's voice calls arrive on iOS
When its calling feature hit Android gadgets a couple weeks ago, WhatsApp founder Brian Acton said the tool would make its way to iOS soon enough. Well, today's the day. WhatsApp calling is rolling out to folks wielding Apple devices, allowing you to chat with friends and family around the world. If you'll recall, the feature uses WiFi rather than a data connection, so you won't have to worry about international rate hikes. While the new version of the app is already available at iTunes, the release notes warn that the calling feature is rolling out slowly, so it may not be available for you immediately.
FTC offers a $25,000 prize if you can trap robocallers
Yep, the Federal Trade Commission still hates robocalls as much as you do. The agency has launched a contest where you'll get a $25,000 top prize if you develop technology that sends illegal automated telemarketing to a honeypot system, which makes it easier to study calls and catch perpetrators. You have up until the evening of June 15th to qualify your bot trap, and the winner will be decided at a Def Con showdown on August 9th. The payout certainly isn't large, but think of this as doing the country a favor -- you may save millions from listening to Rachel from card services over and over again. [Image credit: SarahNW, Flickr]
