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Sri Lanka lifts social media ban nine days after terrorist bombings
Sri Lanka's president ordered an end to the country's temporary ban on social media. The ban was instituted after devastating suicide bombings on Easter Sunday left more than 250 people dead. According to the New York Times, the government issued a statement today calling on the public "to use social media responsibly even though the ban is lifted, due to the prevailing situation in the country."
Sri Lanka cuts off access to social networks to curb violence (updated)
In an effort to curb extremist violence in Sri Lanka, government officials have ordered some social networks to shut down. ABC News' anonymous source says that the blockage affects Facebook, Instagram, Viber and WhatsApp, specifically. In capital Colombo, some are blocked wholesale while others have apparently been slowed down considerably. Officials are using traditional means to counter the attacks, like instituting a curfew.
Chat app Viber hopes you'll shop from its keyboard
If you owned Viber and saw Facebook make a big deal of in-chat shopping, what would you do? Bake shopping into the very heart of your messaging app, apparently. A few months after including an Instant Shopping feature in Viber, parent company Rakuten Viber has snapped up the feature's architect, Chatter Commerce. The deal gives it full control over a keyboard that lets you browse store catalogs and either share them with your friends or commit to a purchase. You don't have to jump to a separate app or the web just to share those great shoes you found.
Viber to add encryption to its messaging app
Viber announced on Tuesday that it is rolling out end-to-end encryption to its messaging app (vers 6.0) across every one of its platforms -- Android, iOS, Mac and PC -- and every one of its communications channels. That means every voice and video call, text message, video and photo share, regardless of whether it's a group chat and private message, will be encrypted. What's more, Viber is also adding a "hidden chat" feature that hides specific conversations from the homescreen and can only be revealed by entering a four-digit PIN.
Bangladesh blocks Facebook and chat apps to stop 'crimes'
To call things tense in Bangladesh would be an understatement: the country recently executed two high-profile leaders for decades-old war crimes, and ISIS (aka Daesh) claims to have killed an Italian priest. However, its government may have gone overboard in attempting to silence this unrest. The country's officials have blocked Facebook and multiple chat apps (including Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Viber) on the grounds that they're being used to "carry out crimes." Just what those activities are isn't clear, but Bangladesh silenced messaging apps earlier this year to discourage protests. It wouldn't be surprising if officials are once again treating online censorship as a national security tool -- cut the internet chatter and the protesters (both for and against executions) potentially go away.
Tell Android to send your texts through apps like WhatsApp or WeChat
Sure, the Google search box in Android lets you dictate regular text messages, but what if your conversations live in a non-standard chat app? You can relax as of today. Google now supports using your voice to send messages in English through a handful of third-party services, including WhatsApp, Viber, NextPlus, Telegram and WeChat. All you have to do is name the service when you're issuing the command -- "send a WhatsApp message to Bob" will make sure that your friend gets your missive where he's expecting it. More apps and languages are in the cards, so don't despair if your favorite mode of communication isn't compatible right away.
Viber's calling and messaging app launches on Chromebooks
In order for Chrome OS to succeed, Google needs all the support it can get from developers. Hardware companies are certainly doing their part, namely by offering Chromebooks to people at affordable prices. That's why it's important when a popular service such as Viber launches on the platform, like today. Now users can start using the app to communicate with friends or family directly from their Chromebook, just as they would on iOS, Android or Windows Phone. Not only can you send text and picture messages, but also make phone and video calls to your contacts. It's free too, which comes in handy if you're trying talk to people across different countries.
Bangladesh blocks mobile messaging apps to thwart protests
Countries are occasionally tempted to block mobile messaging apps when protests or riots flare up, and Bangladesh just gave in to that urge. The nation has blocked two popular services, Tango and Viber, on the grounds that anti-government protesters (some of whom have turned violent) are using these chat clients to coordinate their activities. Officials say the bans will last "for the time being," which suggests that locals shouldn't get their hopes up for a reprieve -- it might not let up unless the demonstrations come to an end.
Viber grows its ecosystem with a new section for games
If you're going to try rivaling Skype, you may as well go big or go home. For Viber, over the past few months, this has meant taking its messaging and VoIP calling services to a different level, one that feels more like a mini social network with each passing update. And, without doubt, it helps to have resources at hand from Rakuten, its parent company. Accordingly, Viber has now announced that it is adding games to its platform, in a push to continue growing its ecosystem and give users features beyond calling and messaging.
Viber's new Public Chats sound a lot like Twitter
When we talk about online messaging, there's often a disconnect between mobile messaging services like WhatsApp and social media platforms like Twitter. Which is odd, because when you think about it, they're two halves of the same send-short-messages-to-each-other coin. It's a concept that's clearly troubled the folks over at Viber, to the point where it's adding something called Public Chats to its system. In essence, Public Chats are discussions between "personalities" that Viber's users can follow, in the same way you'd watch celebs shooting the breeze on Twitter. In order to kickstart the process, the company has hired a clutch of warm bodies that include Perez Hilton, Tyler Oakley and, erm, Copa90, a European football channel on YouTube. Unfortunately, there's no way to sneak behind the velvet rope and tell Tyler Oakley what you think of him, since all Viber is offering is a "fly-on-the-wall experience."
Viber's latest shot at Skype: video calling on Android and iOS
Viber really, really wants you to abandon Skype and all those other messaging apps, so its latest update adds an important feature for something in its category: video calls. The Rakuten-owned app now gives you the power to video chat with friends on Android and iOS, almost a year after it introduced the capability to call any number you want. And, in case you want to switch devices in the middle of a conversation, you can transfer video calls from mobile to desktop (where the feature's been available for a while) and vice versa. Other than that, Viber 5.0 now lets you add friends quickly by scanning QR codes, but that sounds like a lackluster afterthought compared to video calls, doesn't it? [Image credit: Sam Azgor/Flickr]
Viber's Snapchat-like voice feature comes to Windows Phone 8
Internet calling is what Viber's mostly known for these days, although the Rakuten-owned service does invest heavily in the messaging side of things, too. Hold & Talk (aka push-to-talk), for example, allows Viber users to send quick voice messages to each other, with the touch of a button. And now, nearly eight months after it came to iOS and Android, the feature is ready to grace Windows Phone 8 handsets. This means contacts can communicate between themselves almost instantly, in a Snapchat-like way but with voice messages rather than pictures. Viber also made some design changes to the application, which brings the looks of it more in line with Microsoft's desired guidelines after that WP 8.1 software refresh. Your move, Skype.
Viber's new desktop app arrives with a huge focus on stickers
There's no doubt that people have a common interest in emojis and stickers, so Viber knows how important it is to keep that market content. With that in mind, the service is now getting a revamped version of its desktop calling/messaging app, featuring a much more accessible way to find stickers than in previous versions. You can now search for those colorful (and mood-telling) stickers in a quicker way within the application, as well as have them docked as a menu right alongside your conversations. Viber also revealed that there are now over 100 million concurrent users on the platform, which is a pretty good number if it wants to keep up with the big players in the game -- hey, Skype, Viber's looking at you.
Viber looks to challenge Skype with backing from Japanese internet giant
Let's face it: The tech industry is starting to get used to big-name companies acquiring young, relatively successful startups. To wit, such was the case for Viber, a Tel Aviv-based service that lets you use an app to communicate through phone calls and instant messages. Viber's acquisition by Rakuten, a Japanese e-commerce and internet giant, came after the platform welcomed more than 300 million users worldwide since 2010, making it one of the most popular applications across iOS, Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry. That growth, along with its flourishing appeal, have made Viber a real threat to services like Skype -- though, on the messaging front, it is still trying to catch up to WhatsApp, which is at 500 million active users and counting. But despite all of this, Viber still wants to keep growing, and it plans to use Rakuten's resources to help it get to where it wants to be.
Viber's first major redesign makes it look right at home on the iPhone
Internet calling and messaging service Viber does a solid job of constantly bringing new features to its apps, regardless of the platform. Now, some seven months after iOS 7 was released, Viber is finally changing the looks of its iPhone app to match that flat, minimalist appearance of Apple's OS. Aside from overhauling the UI, the Viber application now also lets you create a list of numbers you'd like to block and send longer video messages to people. The company's CEO, Talmon Marco, tells us this update isn't just about iOS 7, however. "This is the first time we are introducing a new look and feel for Viber. Our goal was to create a simple and friendly interface but at the same time establish a solid foundation for future updates," Marco stated. In other words, don't be surprised when you see some of these design cues make their way to other Viber apps, like those on Windows Phone 8 and Android. Furthermore, Viber has also released an app for BlackBerry 10, complete with all the voice and messaging features that have made it popular on other devices. By doing this, Viber is now well covered within BlackBerry's ecosystem, since it already offers an application on older BB handsets. "Our BlackBerry 10 app is a beautiful twist on our design delivering the most up to date experience for our users," said Marco about the new app.
Viber's Windows Phone 8 app now allows you to call any number you want
How does Viber celebrate being acquired for a ton of money? By bringing one of its most popular features, Viber Out, to Windows Phone 8 -- that's how. In second thought, we're probably way off. Still, the Skype rival has indeed updated its WP8 application, celebration or not, allowing users to now make calls to any phone number thanks to Viber Out. This new version also lets you send video messages and multiple photos at a time, while added Bluetooth support should make it easier for you to enjoy some hands-free action. As usual, you can grab the update from the Windows Phone Store -- and feel free to share your Viber 4.1 impressions with us in the comments below.
Skype rival Viber purchased by Japanese e-commerce giant for $900 million
Japan's answer to Amazon, Rakuten, just got into the mobile communications business by purchasing internet calling app-maker Viber for $900 million. Viber was one of the first to introduce 3G VoIP on the iPhone, and now lets you call any land-line or mobile phone, send messages and even push-to-talk. The app' available on all major mobile and desktop platforms, and is one of Skype's biggest rivals with over 300 million users worldwide. According to the WSJ, Viber's global userbase helped draw Rakuten, which is trying to expand its business interests beyond Japan's shores. It also recently purchased a huge stake in Pinterest and bought e-reader maker Kobo. Rakuten's CEO confirmed that Viber "perfectly compliments" its goals and said the acquisition "will enable it to penetrate new markets with multiple digital content offerings."
Viber improves notifications and statuses in latest Windows Phone 8 update
Viber, the popular VoIP service, today released a new version of its Windows Phone 8 app. This update focuses on delivering smarter notifications and giving users more customization options for their statuses. For example, the application can now play a sound when a notification comes in, and it also gives you the ability to choose whether or not you want to hide these. In addition to that, Viber has added a "Seen" feature which shows when a contact has viewed a user's status, while "Last online" keeps you better informed on who's online and able to chat it up. And if you're into Viber's custom labels, like the ones seen above, then you'll be happy to know the Sticker Market is now available on Microsoft's mobile platform. We're pretty into that "YES SIR!" one ourselves. As for Viber CEO Talmon Marco, he's pretty thrilled and had this to say about the refreshed Windows Phone 8 application: Bringing the Viber Sticker Market to Windows Phone 8 is a very exciting step for us and we are sure that our users on the platform will love it. This is the first time we are bringing a monetization feature to Windows Phone 8 and it's another part of our commitment to the platform. More importantly, this release is part of our commitment to our users who want to communicate with their contacts no matter what OS they use.
Viber continues to expand as it rolls out Windows 8 app
Fresh off of the announcement that it's now allowing users to make calls to any mobile or landline number, Viber today is reaching yet another platform by way of a Windows 8 application. Aside from providing access to the VoIP calling services it has become known for, Viber's also bringing a few features tailored specifically for Microsoft's operating system. Namely, we're talking things like pinning conversations to the Start screen as well as the ability to be used in Snap View mode. Additionally, Viber for Windows 8 offers full Live Tile support, allowing you to easily spot notifications and have quick access to the app. CEO Talmon Marco says coming to Windows 8 was "the natural next step" for his company, adding that this is part of Viber's big picture strategy and "commitment to wide, cross platform availability."
Viber announces Viber Out calls for iOS, goes head to head with Skype
Viber Media, the company behind the popular cross-platform messaging and VoIP app Viber, has released version 4.1 of its iOS app today, which sees the company aggressively going after Skype with a new feature called Viber Out. Previously, Viber's competitors were messaging apps on iOS like iMessages, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. With today's update for iOS, however, Viber allows iOS users to call any landline or mobile number from within the app. Viber Out lets Viber users from all over the world call EVERYONE (even if they are not Viber users). Now you can use Viber with your mobile device or desktop and call your loved ones, colleagues and friends, while enjoying awesome rates! How does it work? 1. Launch Viber on your iPhone or Android phone 2. Buy Viber Out credit 3. Dial the number 4. Start talking! What's more, Viber Out allows users to set their iPhone phone number as their caller ID when they call landline or other mobile numbers from the Viber app. This way, the user on the receiving end will know who is calling them. Additionally, Viber Out's prices are significantly cheaper than Skype's offerings. Calls to Mexico are almost 500 percent more expensive on Skype than on Viber and calls to the US are more than 100 percent more expensive on Skype than on Viber. Viber is a free download.
