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Snapchat adds group video chats and friend tagging
Snapchat's evolution from an ephemeral messaging app to a place where you can hang out with all of your friends takes another step today. The app is gaining group video chat, enabling you to hang out with up to 16 of your friends at the same time, or 32 if you switch to voice-only mode. Of course, there are plenty of platforms that will group chat, so Snapchat's USP here is that you can use face lenses at the same time. Consequently, if you're shooting the breeze with your chums, you can do it while vomiting rainbows or with a puppy's ears and nose.
Facebook reportedly tweaks data storage on upcoming video chat device
Facebook has been working on a smart home device called Portal -- a video chat gadget powered by facial recognition that could reportedly suggest a call when two users are both near their respective devices. In January, reports surfaced that Portal might launch this year, but yesterday, Bloomberg reported that Facebook won't be unveiling its home products at its F8 developer conference in May as was initially planned. The pullback is attributed to the ongoing Cambridge Analytica controversy and growing concerns over how Facebook handles its users' data. Now, The Information reports that the company is also considering alternative privacy safeguards among its smart home devices.
Leave video voicemail for your unanswered Google Duo calls
Google's Duo app is making it possible to leave more than just a voice mail when it isn't enough. The big G's app now allows you to record 30-second video messages when the person you're calling isn't picking up or declines your call for some reason. Simply tap the "Leave video message" icon when it pops up, record your video and then send that clip of your dog doing silly things or fun get-togethers to your relatives and friends.
Facebook adds video chat to its lightweight Messenger app
Microsoft isn't the only one making video chat more accessible in its messaging app. Facebook is rolling out an update to Messenger Lite for Android that brings video chats to those with lower-end phones or dodgy internet connections. You can have the same face-to-face conversations you do with the full Messenger app, just in a 10MB client that's easier to download and shouldn't tax your device as much. You'll need a reasonably solid connection for the actual chats, of course, but that's easier to manage than requiring one whenever you want to open the app.
Skype is now optimized for lower-end Android phones
It's not just Facebook and Google trimming apps to help them run on lower-end smartphones. Microsoft is rolling out a new version of Skype for Android that reduces the memory and storage demands on devices running Android 4.0.3 through 5.1, improving audiovisual quality and overall speed for those devices. It should be more tolerant of flaky network connections, too. The updated app will be available worldwide in the "coming weeks."
Facebook’s video chat device could be released this year
Facebook has long been rumored to be working on a video chat device to leapfrog the smart speaker competition. Now, apparently, financial website Cheddar has sources that say that the $499 device, named "Portal," will be announced in May with a planned release for late 2018.
Google finally integrates Duo on Android call screen
Google has been planning to integrate its Duo video chat on Pixel, Nexus and Android One phones for a couple of months. According to a report at Android Police, the company is rolling out Duo video chat in the ordinary phone dialer app, which basically makes the app a kind of Android Facetime. Engadget has also confirmed the feature.
Skype's chat-focused desktop redesign is available to everyone
If you've wanted to check out Skype's huge desktop redesign without living on the bleeding edge, now's your chance. Microsoft has released the finished version of its big overhaul for Linux, Mac and Windows users. As in the preview, the new communication software gets both a fresh new look and a stronger focus on messaging -- it doesn't feel quite so much like a calling app with chat grafted on top. There's a media gallery to find links and photos from your conversations, and you'll find modern messaging staples like reactions, mentions (to get attention in a group chat) and a notifications panel to catch up on what's new. This even marks the return of old-school status updates.
Discord makes video chat and screen sharing available to all
As promised, Discord is rolling out video chat and screen share to its entire user base. Some of you may recall that the Slack-style gaming chat app began testing the highly-requested features in August. During the trial run, they were available to around 5 percent of members. Now, anyone can take advantage of video chat in one-to-one calls, or with up to ten people in a direct messaging group. You also have the option to switch between your webcam video and screen share. And, the update includes picture-in-picture support, allowing you to video chat while checking out other stuff (like servers or DMs). With 45 million users and counting, the latest changes should see Discord swipe more gamers from Skype and TeamSpeak.
Delta tests customer service video chats to field your complaints
Delta is certainly trying to update its tech to join the 21st century. This summer, it's tested replacing boarding passes with fingerprints and checking baggage by scanning passengers' faces. But the airline's next advance is kind of an old-school dream: Airport stations that let customers video chat with a service representative.
Dating app Badoo adds video chat to help you filter out creeps
Dating apps have been slow to adopt video functionality. Big shot Tinder bought a video service in February but hasn't announced plans to add its functionality, while Hinge just included user-made movie clips for profiles -- a feature that Badoo launched last year. Today, the UK-based dating service is taking another step forward and adding video chat straight into the app, so users can move past text and talk in real-time.
Gaming chat app Discord tests video calls and screen sharing
Discord, the Slack-like gaming chat app, has been steadily improving since its initial launch a couple of years ago. Last January, it added a $5 paid tier for fans to essentially thank the company — the bonuses simply include GIF avatars, custom emoji and a bigger file upload limit. It secretly raised $50 million last month, as well. That extra cash may be why the Discord team is able to start rolling out two of its most-requested features, video chat and screen sharing.
Google Duo adds video chats to your regular call history (updated)
Google's standalone video chat app, Duo, came out last August. Since then, the company has added some nifty features, like voice-only calling to help avoid awkward bedhead conversations. Google has just added a call-log feature to Duo, making it possible to keep and search your call history in your regular calling app.
Google unveils 'Meet,' a Hangouts app for businesses
Google has quietly unveiled Meet by Google Hangouts, a big part of its strategy to shuffle the Hangouts app towards businesses and away from consumers. While it hasn't made a formal announcement, it launched an iOS app and partially-functional website (spotted by Techcrunch), though it's not yet on Android, oddly enough. The app will likely become part of Google's Cloud-powered G Suite, though it's not yet listed there, either.
Signal tries its hand at encrypted video and voice calling
Open Whisper Systems' Signal app is no longer limited to keeping text chats out of the wrong hands. A beta version of the Android app now includes experimental support for video and voice calling. Both sides of a conversation will have to switch the features on in settings for this to work, but you're otherwise free to talk knowing that encryption should prevent eavesdropping.
Facebook Messenger adds group video chatting on iOS and Android
In case you haven't noticed, Facebook has spent a lot of time making video a priority this year, and its latest initiative involves the Messenger app. Today, Facebook is launching group video chat in Messenger for both iOS and Android. The app has had video calling for a good year and a half now, but it was only one-on-one -- but now the app can compete directly with services like Facetime and Skype, both of which offer video calls with multiple participants.
Slack now has built-in video calling
Slack's quest to become a do-it-all chat app continues. The company is trotting out video calling support in the Mac, Windows and Chrome versions of its client, making it easy to see a coworker or catch up with a friend. Anyone can start a one-on-one chat, while those on paid plans can have calls with as many as 15 people at once -- handy for virtual meetings where your voice isn't enough. This isn't exactly a revolutionary feature by itself, but Slack adds its signature emoji responses to let you raise your hand or offer approval without interrupting the discussion.
Meerkat team confirms it created the mysterious Houseparty app
Those rumors of Meerkat's creators quietly developing a group video chat app, Houseparty, were well-founded. The company (actually called Life on Air) has confirmed to The Verge that it built Houseparty under a pseudonym, Alexander Herzick, for about 10 months. The company even admits to creating fake Facebook and LinkedIn pages to maintain appearances. Meerkat's crew reportedly wanted to both avoid criticism for changing its strategy and to reduce the pressure after becoming a sensation, albeit a short-lived one after Twitter's Periscope invaded its turf.
Duo, Google's supersimple video chat app, arrives today
Back in May at its I/O developer conference, Google introduced a pair of new communication apps: Allo for text-based communication and Duo for video calling. Allo is the more interesting of the two, with its deep usage of the intelligent Google Assistant bot -- but Duo is the one we'll get to try first. Google hopes it'll stand out among a bevy of other communications apps thanks to a laser focus on providing a high-quality mobile experience. It's available today for both the iPhone and Android phones.
Microsoft launches Skype Meetings, a group video chat tool
Microsoft has unveiled a free HD Skype tool for small business users called Skype Meetings. It runs on a browser and will let you meet with up to 10 people for the first 60 days, and a maximum of three after that. Users can also share screens and PowerPoint presentations, and the organizer can wield a virtual "laser pointer" or mute users. Such features are already available with Skype Business, but that app requires a paid Office 365 subscription. With Skype Meetings, however, anyone with a link can join a chat.
