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Viber now lets you make calls to any phone number
Viber's quest to become the VoIP app du jour has taken another leap forward with the news that, with Version 4.1 its iOS and Android apps, you're now entitled to make calls to any mobile or landline number. The service, entitled Viber Out, was previously made available during the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan to help affected users contact their families, but has now rolled out to all, giving you a cheaper alternative (depending on where you're calling) to Microsoft's Skype Out service. To make things as easy as possible, Viber Out will connect itself to your phone number, letting recipients identify your call. It also allows balance top-ups via its mobile and desktop apps to help you keep on top of call costs. Viber says the updated iOS and Android apps will go live today, with Windows Phone support following soon, ensuring Microsoft has some real competition on its own turf.
Messaging client Viber 4.0 released for OS X
Viber, the multi-platform messaging app that grew to take on heavyweight champ What's App (and now Facebook Messenger and iMessages) has just released version 4.0 of its desktop client for OS X. The update comes almost two weeks after Viber released its updated iOS client. As with its iOS app, Viber 4.0 adds several new features for the Mac, including a sticker marketplace. Stickers are images, similar to emojis, that Viber users can send to one another to convey a message or emotion. They've proved so popular on Viber's mobile apps that the company is now using them to monetize across all platforms -- including desktop with this latest release for OS X. Other nice improvements include the ability to drag photos from the Finder right into a Viber chat, the ability to view message read receipts and the ability to receive pre-recorded video messages. You'll also notice performance enhancements, including much-improved live video calling. Viber 4.0 for Mac is a free download from Viber's website.
Viber brings push-to-talk features to iPhone and Android in version 4.0
The past few weeks have been very busy for the Viber team, after first announcing new features for BlackBerry and following it up with a Windows Phone 8 update. Now the VoIP app is announcing version 4.0 for iPhone and Android, bringing with it the addition of push-to-talk voice services to both platforms, as well as optimization for tablets that are running Google's OS. Viber also bundled in a new sticker market (if that's your sort of thing), along with some extra customization options on iPhone and improvement notifications on Android. All in all, it's a pretty nice update, so go on and grab the fresh version from either the App Store or Google Play.
Viber 4.0 released for iOS with tons of new features
Popular cross-platform messaging and VoIP app Viber has released version 4.0 today. The updated app sports a host of new features including the ability to send voice messages via "Hold and Talk," the ability to forward any message to a contact or group, the ability to add up to 100 people to group conversations, the addition of more than 1,000 new stickers, a new iOS 7-inspired icon and more. Check out the full release notes below: What's New in Version 4.0 • Download over 1,000 new stickers from the Sticker Market • Significant performance improvements • Instant Hold and Talk - Send voice messages. Your friend will hear you as you speak! • Forward any message to a contact or group • Select conversation backgrounds from our new background gallery • Add up to 100 participants to group conversations Viber 4.0 is a free download.
Viber for Windows Phone 8 gets a fresh UI, better integration with Viber Desktop
It's been less than a week since Viber brought a handful of improvements to older versions of BlackBerry OS, and now the time has come for Windows Phone 8 to get a similar treatment. Today, the VoIP service announced version 3.1 of the app, bringing with it a completely redesigned user interface, improved notifications and support for Live Tiles. Perhaps more importantly, this update enhances integration between the Viber Desktop and WP8 applications, making the experience smoother when transferring calls from one to the other. On paper, Viber's refreshed app would appear to be a much better one, but we'll let you be the judge of that after downloading the update from the Windows Phone Store.
Viber enhances BlackBerry app with new features, minor design tweaks
Viber may have brought its most highly requested feature, VoIP calling, to BlackBerry users way back in April. Still, that's not to say the Skype competitor is quite done polishing its application on older versions of BlackBerry's OS -- namely, 5, 6 and 7. For starters, conversations have been enhanced with the ability to insert user images, while a new "seen" status lets you know when a recipient has viewed messages you've sent. Rounding up the update are some light design changes and improved location sharing/privacy settings, which allow folks to have more customization options throughout the app. Be sure to keep an eye on the BlackBerry World store, as this new version of Viber is expected be rolling out in the next few hours.
Viber support page hacked by Syrian Electronic Army, most user info remains safe
The Syrian Electronic Army isn't happy with VoIP app developers as of late -- following an attack against Tango last week, the politically motivated hacking group has compromised Viber's support page. The SEA claims to have downloaded database backups from Viber that include phone numbers, device IDs and push notification tokens. However, the company believes that the attack was largely harmless for regular customers; SEA's team got access to top-level support systems, but not the all-important user databases. They're kept in a system that can't be reached by attacks like these, according to Viber. While that news is reassuring, we'd advise playing it safe by watching for any suspicious account activity.
Daily Update for May 7, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all 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 inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Viber expands its VoIP service with new OS X app
Viber is a voice-over-internet app that's seen some success on iOS already, but today the company announced a brand-new version for both OS X and Windows. Viber Desktop has all of the features of the iOS app, including free messages and calls to other users, synced contacts and history between the mobile and desktop clients, and the ability to start up group conversations and so on. The iOS version and the desktop version are completely integrated, so you can even start a call on one platform, and then transfer it across to another. Both versions are completely and totally free to use. The iOS version also got an update this week, which includes a new voice engine, the ability to send video messages to your contacts and a number of other design and feature updates. If you haven't checked out Viber yet and have a need for a voice-over-IP client, now is your chance.
Viber announces new desktop app, revamps Android and iOS versions
Along with claiming more than 200 million users worldwide, Viber's also taking this day to announce what it is referring to as the biggest update to the service yet. For starters, the Viber for Android and iOS applications have both been on the receiving end of a pretty meaningful refresh, following the recent introduction of VoIP calling on older versions of BlackBerry OS. An all-new desktop app will, as of today, also be available to Viber users on a Mac or PC (Linux coming soon, we're told), packing in most of the features the service is well-known for but in a less-mobile form. Folks using Viber's iOS and Android apps will see many changes to the overall user experience in version 3.0, including added support for video messages, a novel voice engine to help improve call quality, the ability to check contacts' online status and a completely redesigned interface. Meanwhile, the newly minted Viber Desktop features video calling and seamlessly integrates / syncs with the mobile offerings -- which makes things like being able to transfer ongoing voice calls between devices possible. While chatting with the company's CEO, Talmon Marco, he told us development for BlackBerry 10 is in its "advanced stages," adding that the latest Viber apps were built from the ground up and are all part of the goal to be better than other competing platforms.%Gallery-187638%
Viber exploit lets attackers bypass Android lock screens, for now (update: fixed)
If you're an Android user who prefers Viber for VoIP and messaging, you may not want to leave your phone unattended in the near future. Bkav Internet Security has discovered an exploit that will bypass the lock screen on Android phones new and old (including the Nexus 4) as long as pop-up notifications are active. While the exact actions vary from phone to phone, all that's really needed is an incoming message or two, a handful of taps and the back button to reach the home screen. App users can disable the pop-ups as a short-term workaround, although they thankfully won't have to do that for long when Viber promises that a patch is on the way. There's only a small chance that a malicious attacker will both get their mitts on your phone and know that you've got Viber installed, but we'd advise against using statistical probability as a security measure. Update: Sure enough, Viber has fixed the exploit in the days since we first posted the story. Chat away!
Mobile Miscellany: week of April 8th, 2013
If you didn't get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week, we were treated to a peek at the Lumia 928 in white, Canada's upstart carriers made waves, BlackBerry users got a new free calling option and the Lumia 520 spread its wings to more carriers in the UK. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore all that's happening in the mobile world for this week of April 8th, 2013.
Viber for Windows Phone 8 update adds free VoIP calling with HD audio
After several months as a watered down messaging app, Viber for Windows Phone 8 is finally catching up to its Android and iOS counterparts. Starting today, the redesigned VoIP application now supports free calls with HD audio, lock screen notifications and the ability to pin conversations to your Start screen. This Metro modern UI version of Viber also includes photo sharing and group conversations with up to 40 participants. So, if your call plan is running low on minutes and the latest version of Skype just isn't cutting the mustard, head on over to the source link to give this free VoIP software a whirl.
Viber overhauls BlackBerry app to v2.3, promises VoIP calls are coming in April (video)
Doing its best Kate Bush impression, Viber's letting its BlackBerry users know that something good is gonna happen. Specifically, that the company is bringing VoIP calls to the platform, currently pencilled in for arrival in April. It's laid the groundwork for the new feature with version 2.3 of the app for RIM phones, which refreshes the UI and adds support for Arabic and Spanish language users. After the break we've got a short clip of a demonstration of the forthcoming feature, which mercifully cuts out before the feedback loop deafens us all.
Viber comes to Symbian, S40 and Bada, adds HD voice calling and group messaging to Nokia Lumia handsets
VoIP-over-3G app Viber broke down in tears when it learned that, after Android, iOS and Windows Phone, there were no new worlds to conquer. Then a helpful soul pointed out that there were more than 1.5 Billion S40 devices in the world, and it set about adding that to the existing 100 million users of its service. In addition, it's bringing its free-calls platform to Symbian and Bada handsets while current Nokia Lumia owners running Windows Phone 7 will find they can now access HD voice calls and group calls. iOS users shouldn't feel left out, however, since an update to their app will add support for a variety of languages including Simplified Chinese, Hebrew and Portuguese.
Viber's VoIP iPhone, Android apps updated with enhanced UI, group messaging and more
It's safe to say Viber's VoIP applications have been somewhat of a hit since the early days on Android and iPhone. Now, looking to build up on that humble success, Viber's updating these apps to version 2.2, bringing with it a fresh group messaging feature, improvements to the voice engine for better call quality and tweaks to the UI, such as adding photos to contacts list. Meanwhile, the Windows Phone and BlackBerry flavors will still have to wait for the voice goods, as Viber didn't announce any other major changes on those platforms. Viber v2.2 is up for download now from the App Store and Google Play links below.
100 million smartphone owners in China getting free VoIP through messaging app Weixin
If you're in China and use a free chat app called Weixin on Android or iOS, you're about to get no-charge VoIP as well thanks to an imminent update. The company is set to join the likes of Skype, Viber and Korea's Kakao Talk in providing free cellphone calls to the nation and ought to make a huge splash given the massive 100 million user install base. The Tencent-owned service is also adding Bluetooth support, a matching VoIP web service and a complete redesign of its site, according to TechNode. There's no release date yet or word on whether the English version WeChat will get it, but if so, it might make those pricey cellphone calls to friends and family overseas a lot freer.
Viber's free, no-registration 3G VoIP app officially launches on Android
Hey there, friends. Do you have the voice-calling blues, wishing for a better way to talk to your friends -- without using your minutes? Consider Viber, a free VoIP app that launched for the iPhone last year. Usable over 3G or WiFi, with built-in SMS, it requires no registration, using your existing phone number and contact list. Our only quibble? A disheartening lack of Android support. But our spirits are lifted today, with the app making its way to the everyone's favorite olive-green market. It has all the compelling features of the iOS version, plus a few extras we saw in the limited beta, like pop-up text message notification, in-app call logs, and the option to use Viber as your default dialer. The company must be doing something right, as it claims 12 million active users just seven months after launch. Interested in being one of them? Check the full PR -- with video! -- after the break.
Viber VoIP app hits Android, serves up cross-platform 3G voice and text (video)
What's better than free in-app 3G calling? Cross-platform 3G calling. Delivering on old promises, Viber is offering an Android version of their free, no-registration VoIP app to beta applicants this week. The Android beta keeps everything from the iPhone original, plus a few bonus features -- including the ability to respond to text messages without opening the app, natively viewable in-app call logs from non-Viber calls, and the ability to set Viber as the default dialer for all applications. All this, and cross platform support? Sign us up! Oh, wait -- no registration required. It just works. The current version of the app has been tested on devices from Samsung, HTC, Sony Ericsson, and more, but the full release is waiting on beta testers to weigh in on the fragmentation front. See a video of Android and iOS playing nice after the break.
Viber for iPhone updated with free text messaging
I liked Viber when I tested it several months ago. It's an iPhone VoIP app that allows free phone calls to any phone that has the app installed. I thought the terrific audio quality, lack of ads and ease of setup were all positives. Viber has been updated today to version 2.01 with free text messaging to all your Viber contacts. There are also notifications for incoming text messages, and the app has some small GUI improvements. Although Viber currently does not support the iPad or iPod touch, the developers say that is "almost here." Viber Media claims the app has had more than 10 million downloads. The app requires iOS 3.1 or greater. There will be Android and BlackBerry versions, but those apps have been promised for several months and are no-shows so far. The app works on both Wi-Fi and 3G networks, and best of all, it's free.
