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Skype's 'Mojis' insert Muppets into your boring video calls
Skype announced a new feature for its chat and messaging services on Tuesday that will allow users to incorporate short, Gif-like video clips into their conversations. The company is calling these new visual hybrids "Mojis" (le sigh). Just as Gmail now allows users to drop Giphy Gifs directly into emails, Skype now allows users to browse and select a moji by tapping an in-chat emoticon button. The new feature currently includes clips from Despicable Me, Bridesmaids, Pitch Perfect, Jurassic Park, The Muppets and other intellectual properties. There's no word on whether users will be able to upload their own clips or whether the service is limited to participating corporate content partners. The feature begins rolling out to users running the latest app version on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS today.
Skype 6.0 brings revamped design to both iOS and Android
Skype users have ridden a rollercoaster of different designs over the years, and the latest version promises yet more change. Version 6.0 has been completely redesigned for both iOS and Android apps, which are now in lockstep with each other. For Google's ecosystem, the new layout took a page from the Android 5 "Material" playbook with circular icons and other touches. Other features include a floating action button to start new calls or chats (à la Facebook's Messenger), enhanced search and improved messaging. There are also custom ringtones, photo sharing and web link reviews to bring the app in line with rival messaging products like Google's Hangouts.
FCC to build an open source video platform for ASL users
The FCC is developing a video access platform that will allow American Sign Language (ASL) users to communicate with businesses and government agencies more easily, Chairman Tom Wheeler announced on Thursday. With it, users will be able to make video calls as well as send text and audio to the person on the other end of the line. What's more, the platform will not only enable the creation of function-specific desktop and mobile apps that, say, allow users to connect with FCC reps through a relay service staffed by people fluent in ASL. It will also serve as an interoperability standard for existing IP-based video conferencing apps like Skype or Google Hangouts. And, since the code is open source, any developer will be able to integrate this functionality into their app.
Skype for Android gives you custom ringtones and photo forwarding
If you use Skype enough on your Android phone that you can't always make heads or tails of who's calling, today's your day. An updated version of Skype for Android brings the same kind of contact-specific ringtones that you might be used to with conventional calls, so you'll know if it's a BFF or someone who can afford to wait. The same update will be handy if you can't help but share pictures, for that matter -- you can now forward the images you receive in chat, guaranteeing that those baby photos will reach the rest of your Skype-using family. Swing by Google Play if either of these new features happens to reel you in.
IBM wires up 'neuromorphic' chips like a rodent's brain
IBM has been working with DARPA's Systems of Neuromorphic Adaptive Plastic Scalable Electronics (SyNAPSE) program since 2008 to develop computing systems that work less like conventional computers and more like the neurons inside your brain. After years of development, IBM has finally unveiled the system to the public as part of a three-week "boot camp" training session for academic and government researchers.
Skype for Business is coming to your mobile device
Two months after Microsoft launched Skype's Business edition, which integrates into MS Office Calendar and allows for group messaging/video chats/calls for up to 250 people, the video conferencing company announced on Tuesday that a mobile version for both iOS and Android devices is in the works. The mobile app will feature a central dashboard from which the user can search for contacts, check for and RSVP to upcoming meetings and dig through past archived conversations. Additionally, actually contacting people will be easier thanks to larger onscreen buttons and a full-screen video chat option.
Skype for Android takes the hassle out of signing back in
It might be safe to stay signed in to Skype these days, but that doesn't mean you want to. Do you really want a video call from your parents when you're out on the town? If not, you'll be glad to hear that Skype is making it much easier to sign in and out. The Android app's 5.5 update now remembers your login details after you log out, so hopping online again is just a matter of tapping a button. If you're worried that someone will snoop on your conversations, you can still ask Skype to require your password whenever you get back to business. Grab the new app today if you often find yourself eager for some quiet time.
Microsoft's 84-inch pen display isn't going to ship on time
Looking forward to refreshing your office's aging teleconference system with Microsoft's 84-inch 4K collaborative pen display? You'll have to wait: the company just announced that its $20,000 Surface Hub is going to miss its September 1st ship date.
Skype's web chats now work on your Chromebook
As of today, you no longer need a relatively pricey PC to chat on Skype when you'd rather not break out your phone -- a cheap-and-cheerful Chromebook will do the trick. In addition to expanding the Skype web beta worldwide, Microsoft has introduced instant messaging for both Chrome OS and Linux users. It's not the video or voice calling you're looking for, but it means that you can stay in touch with Skype-obsessed family members without having to switch devices or services. The messaging platform is based on the open, video-capable WebRTC standard, so don't be surprised if you're eventually holding face-to-face Skype conversations on that Chrome machine.
Skype ditches its Windows 8 app on July 7th (update)
If you need any further proof that Microsoft is backing away from touch-centric interfaces in Windows 10, you just got it. The Skype team has revealed that it's planning to ditch the "modern" Windows (read: Windows 8-only) version of its messaging app on PCs as of July 7th. After that, the next update to the app will kick you over to the desktop release. Skype says that it's "simplifying" its experience around a single program that you can use with both a touchscreen and a mouse and keyboard. That's certainly true, although it's also an acknowledgment that people prefer the desktop app more -- it's easier to navigate without scrolling, and there are more features (such as screen sharing) that might convince you to stay. This shift won't affect Windows RT or the Skype features woven into Windows 10, but there's no doubt that the conventional desktop software is the big star going forward.
Skype Translator is heading to the desktop app this summer
Last month, Microsoft removed the sign-up requirement for folks to give Skype's live translation chops a try. Now, a preview version of the multi-language tool is heading to the desktop. Skype Translator is scheduled to roll out inside the chat-focused app's desktop software at the end of the summer, delivering real-time translation for voice/video calls and instant messaging. Right now, the speech function supports English, Spanish, Italian and Mandarin, but if you're conversing via IM, there are 50 more languages added to the list. Windows 10 arrives at this summer too, and real-time translating is sure to come in handy when chatting it up on a 84-inch Surface Hub.
You can now Skype from your browser in the US and UK
If you like using Skype, but the only connection you have in Squankville, USA is at an internet cafe, now you have an option. Microsoft has opened Skype for Web (beta) to all users in the UK and US on Internet Explorer, Chrome, Safari and Firefox. Provided you're on OS X or Windows, you'll be able to place video or voice calls and send IMs from a strange computer if you can't use one of the mobile apps or the Outlook version.
Skype bug crashes the messaging app on Android, iOS and Windows
Skype users aren't safe from app-crashing messages, too. VentureBeat has discovered through the service's community forums that the app suffers from a bug similar to Apple's texting flaw. If you recall, that one crashes the Messages app when it receives a specific string of Unicode characters. It's even easier to put Skype out of commission: all it takes is sending or receiving "http://:" without the quotes. The flaw affects Skype for Windows, iOS and Android in different situations. For instance, it crashes the Windows app if you're the sender and completely kills it if it's the one receiving that string of characters. However, the iOS and the Android apps are only affected when they're the recipient, and Skype for Mac seems to be immune from the issue. Update: Skype says it has released patched clients for all affected platforms, hit the download page to make sure you've got the latest version.
Microsoft WiFi could be another reason to get Office 365
Although Microsoft already offers millions of WiFi access points around the world through Skype, it appears the company has bigger plans for its wireless internet service. If a new (barebones) website is to be believed, the Skype branding could be dropped in favor of a new platform called Microsoft WiFi. According to the site, the service will increase the number of hotspots from around 2 million to 10 million and make them available to Office 365 Enterprise subscribers and those who have bought a Surface 2 or Microsoft's Work & Play Bundle.
Microsoft brings Clutter's inbox organization to Outlook.com
The folks in Redmond are hard at work putting the finishing touches on Windows 10, and in the process Microsoft is retooling individual apps, too. Today, the company announced that key productivity features in the Office 365 Outlook app would be available on Outlook.com as well -- with a key addition being Clutter. If you're in need of a refresher, that's the feature that keeps high priority messages front and center while tucking distractions away for later. Over time, it learns from your habits what's junk and what's important, and just like the full app, you can toggle it on/off it you'd like. Of course, Pins and Flags are here too, as other means of keeping your workload as organized as possible.
Skype's live translation feature is open for anyone to use
Today Microsoft removed the sign up process required to beta test its Skype Translator app. Now if you want to use the almost real-time translation service, you can just download it without filling out a form. The service closes the communication gap between individuals speaking different languages by transcribing what a person just said or typed for the other party. The app is available for Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 preview. If you're interested in chatting folks that speak a language different than your own, the service supports four voice languages -- English, Spanish, Italian and Mandarin -- and 50 languages via IM. So go ahead, make new friends in China and India and start chatting.
EU court finds Skype's name too similar to Sky broadcaster's
Microsoft has lost another legal battle against British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB), after a European court found Skype's name to be too similar to the latter's. The judges also ruled that the service's cloud-like logo "would further increase the likelihood of the element 'Sky' being recognized within the word element 'Skype.'" Redmond lost a similar case to the same broadcaster in court years ago, prompting the company to completely change the name of its cloud service from SkyDrive to OneDrive. Fortunately for Microsoft, it doesn't have to change Skype's name this time around -- it merely can't file a trademark registration for the product's name and logo.
Microsoft Office 2016 Public Preview is now available
Office 2016 may still be getting the finish touches in Redmond, but Microsoft is opening up its productivity suite for public preview. If you'll recall, some apps were included in previous releases of the Windows 10 Technical Preview and made available for both IT folks and devs. As of today, though, regular folks can get an early look and offer feedback on all the new stuff -- including those redesigned universal apps. This means that you'll gain access to OneDrive attachments in Outlook, real-time co-authoring and retooled applications that learn how you work to lend a hand. Specifically in Excel, there are updated charts and graphs alongside one-click forecasting and more data analyzing tools. Looking to take it for a spin before the official release this fall? Even if you're not an Office 365 subscriber, you can nab a trial version right here.
Microsoft apps will be bundled on Cyanogen Android devices
Cyanogen has revealed that it will pre-install Microsoft apps on its modded Android OS later this year, including Bing, Skype, OneDrive, OneNote, Outlook and Microsoft Office. The news doesn't come as a huge surprise, since it was rumored that Redmond had purchased a minority stake in Cyanogen with the express intention of bundling its software. As part of the deal, Microsoft will also create "native integrations" on Cyanogen OS, presumably to make all its apps play well together. Microsoft has avoided porting its productivity software over to Android and iOS for quite awhile, but finally made the jump earlier this year.
Skype for Android finally works like the iOS version
Skype released an update for its Android app. Version 5.3 adds a host of new features and functions -- many of which have been available to iOS and desktop users for a while now. These include a revamped UI boasting chat bubbles and more emoji options. Plus, when you message with only emoticons, the app will automatically enlarge and animate the icon. You're of course still free to shout "Enhance!" at your phone when it does so. The new version also does away with auto-scrolling so that you'll be able to pick up a conversation precisely where you left it off instead of having to scan backwards through unread messages. You'll also finally be able view and modify your group chat avatar. Juggling multiple accounts is getting easier too: Every time you sign out, the system will automatically prompt you to re-enter your login credentials.
