video calling
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Skype finally bringing video calling to iPhone 4, maybe other mobile platforms?
So let us set this up for you: Skype has been telling everyone that it'll be making a "series of video-related announcements" at CES next month... and it's participating in a panel called "Video Calling Gets Ready for Primetime," so yeah, needless to say, we'd have to guess that Skype's finally getting ready to enter the mobile video calling game in a big way. Anyhow, the final piece in the puzzle filtered into our inbox this morning: a help document on Skype's site detailing making video calls using Skype for iPhone. We don't know whether there's a corresponding document out there for Android, Symbian, or other operating systems, but we're certainly hoping so -- because if these guys come to the table at once with versions for all the major phone platforms, we've got a feeling they'll be dominating the mobile-to-mobile and mobile-to-PC video calling market in no time. Oh, and here's a little trivia fact for you: the Nokia N900 was actually the first device to get official video calling support from Skype, so this isn't a first for these guys -- but it'll certainly be the first time they've taken it to a mass market. Seems like they'll probably have the MeeGo build ready to go, at least. [Thanks, Nelson] Update: ...and they've pulled the help document. You'll just have to trust us, it was there. We swear!
Chris Ziegler12.24.2010Fring adds "dynamic video quality"
If you're a fan of FaceTime on your iPhone / iPod touch, but are frustrated with the Wi-Fi only restrictions, then Fring (the voice, video and instant chat app) is most likely your go-to app for video calling over 3G. Since there's no sign of Skype implementing video calling on the iPhone over Wi-Fi (let alone 3G), and no one's yet to turn up to Apple's "open" FaceTime standard party, Fring is left holding the video calling over 3G fort for the likes of us. But they're not sitting back while the others catch up. Fring has recently updated its app to include, amongst other improvements and enhancements, dynamic video quality, or DVQ, to its video calling. Basically, while always prioritizing audio, the quality of video will be automatically adjusted to the amount of bandwidth you have available at any given time. If you're outdoors with a strong 3G signal, your video quality will be good. But if you're indoors with a poorer 3G signal, your video quality will be reduced to compensate for the lack of bandwidth. This will all happen behind the scenes, allowing you to have a cohesive video chat. Audio will remain unaffected. We've tried it out for ourselves; it seems to work pretty well, though even on Wi-Fi we couldn't get anything near the quality of the video depicted in the Fring promo pictured above. Fring is available free on the App Store, or go to updates on your iDevice for the latest version. Check out DVQ in action after the break. [via Engadget]
Matt Tinsley12.10.2010Fring adds Dynamic Video Quality to its video calling apps
Fring is working hard to seize on this (hopefully temporary) gap in the video chat firmament, where Google is lacking in a first party mobile video chat solution, Apple's supposedly open FaceTime standard has yet to be opened, and Skype is dragging its feet on a mobile video call implementation. We're not sure how long that will last, but until then we're happy to have Fring sprucing up its own cross-platform solution. Fring just pushed out new Android and iPhone versions of its app that include "DVQ," or "Dynamic Video Quality" for video calling. It's pretty simple: the video quality automatically (and asynchronously) adjusts to use your available bandwidth, with an emphasis on keeping the audio stream pure and uninterrupted. It might sound like a no brainer, but it's a nice touch -- particularly for folks straying from WiFi and trying their luck with carrier data. Check out a video of DVQ in action after the break.
Paul Miller12.06.2010Skype 5.0 Beta for Mac finally available, includes group video calling
Well, finally! That's right, you no longer have to be jealous of your friends who've all been group video calling using Skype 5.0 for Windows for months -- Skype's new Beta 5.0 for Mac finally brings the ability to video chat with up to ten of your Skype contacts to OS X client. Obviously, that's the premiere feature of the new release, but the software has also been retooled to mesh more with the look and feel of the OS -- there's even a cover flow-like contact window -- and a new pop-out call control bar that can be moved anywhere on the screen or be kept open while in another program. We just downloaded the beta and it's certainly a lot better looking than the previous version, but we also noticed that it integrated our Mac address book right into the contacts pane and when we initiated a call it automatically muted the song we were listening to in iTunes. Naturally, we went searching for that Facebook integration that we just saw rolled out in the Windows version, but it's nowhere to be found at the moment, and Skype tells us it's focusing on video and UI tweaks for the Mac version. We could go on and on about the new software, but it's available for download at the source link below, so run along and throw your own virtual cupcake party!
Joanna Stern11.04.2010Qik integrates deeply into myTouch 4G's hardware, Android contact book
Surely you've heard of Qik by now, right? It's most closely linked to Sprint's EVO 4G, but it looks as if the video calling service is now siding with another "4G" carrier: T-Mobile USA. Shortly after T-Mob tossed off the gloves and proclaimed to be "America's largest 4G carrier," Qik has come forward with an interesting tidbit about the newfangled myTouch 4G. According to it, the "integrated T-Mobile Video Chat powered by Qik will be the first to offer integration into the native Android address book with the benefit of indicating live presence allowing customers to connect with friends and family through live video conversations and video messaging over T-Mobile's network and WiFi." We're even assured that T-Mobile Video Chat will offer "dramatically improved video quality and frame rates compared to other video calling solutions on the marketplace through deep hardware integration," and users can even see if folks in their contact book are able to video chat at a glance -- no trial and error necessary. We'll be testing this stuff out in our upcoming myTouch 4G review, but be sure to let us know how it's treating you in comments below. You know, if you're an "early adopter."
Darren Murph11.03.2010T-Mobile starts up 4G ad campaign by poking a stiletto into AT&T's network (video)
We suspected T-Mobile's new advertising campaign would ruffle some feathers, but we weren't ready for quite such brazen trash-talking right off the bat. Of course, it's trash talk dressed up in a pretty white and Magenta dress and delivered in the most angelic of voices, but T-Mobile makes its point to AT&T subscribers loud and clear: we got 4G, you don't. Whether you consider the network's current 21Mbps theoretical max a true representation of 4G or not, we'll leave up to you; just make sure to join us past the break for the Apple-scented commercial, which also teases the myTouch 4G, a HSPA+ handset that T-Mobile happens to be launching today. Update: AT&T isn't taking this one lying down. It countered with the following statement this afternoon: "T-Mobile's claims about 4G are based on the same HSPA+ technology we have deployed to 180 million people today, more than T-Mobile's reported 140 million, and we'll have it rolled out to 250 million people by the end of this month, substantially more than the 200 million T-Mobile says it will have by year-end."
Vlad Savov11.03.2010Updated Skype for Mac "coming soon"
On Thursday, Skype unveiled Skype 5.0 for Windows. Among some pretty cool new features are group video calling and Facebook integration. The Facebook integration lets you view your Facebook news feed, sync your Skype mood messages and Facebook status, and call friends from your Facebook phone book. They're all cool features, and they're all for Windows, ... but not for long. The official Skype for Mac blog says that the next version of Skype for Mac is "coming soon" and will deliver group video calling to the Mac. While they don't specifically mention Facebook integration, the Skype blog does note that the next iteration of Skype for Mac will be a "complete overhaul, both in terms of the way it looks, and in terms of functionality." That sounds pretty cool -- now, how about a Skype iPad app?
Michael Grothaus10.15.2010Skype 5.0 for Windows busts out of beta, integrates your Facebook friends
Nope, it's not a Facebook "phone," but it's probably the closest you're gonna get to one right now. Skype has just unleashed the no-longer-in-beta version of its 5.0 Windows software, and not only has it drastically tided up the interface, but just like the rumor said, it's taken advantage of Facebook Connect in a big way. The new version, which will apparently be available for public download within minutes of this post hitting the internet, still has a familiar look and feel, but the most noticeable changes are the addition of photos to the contacts list and the new Facebook tab. Logging into your Facebook account within the program populates your regular News Feed, but also attaches Skype call / SMS buttons next to friends that have either their Skype handles or mobile phone numbers listed on Facebook. Hit one of the buttons and you're, well, connected! There's also an option to view your Facebook Phonebook, which basically lists all your contacts' mobile phone numbers -- though, oddly, it doesn't list Skype handles within that area. Of course, the final version still allows for 10-way video calls and includes the automatic call recovery feature, which brilliantly reconnects dropped calls as if the drop didn't really happen. If and when these features will hit Skype's mobile version, your guess is as good as ours -- a company spokesperson told us there's nothing to talk about on that end right now. Of course, we could go on and on about the new software, or you could hit the source link, download it yourself, and let us know what you think about it below. Update: Skype says the source link should work -- even though it says it's Skype 4.2, the software is 5.0. %Gallery-105022%
Joanna Stern10.14.2010Updated Yahoo Messenger app now live in App Store, 3G video calling bonanza awaits you
Not stoked on Skype or FaceTime? Looks like you've got another option, bub. That overhauled Yahoo Messenger app we told you about 48 hours ago is now live in the App Store, offering multitasking on the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4, 3G / WiFi video calling (iOS to iOS, iOS to Android or iOS to PC) and instant notifications. Users interested in making voice calls can also tap into their bucket of Yahoo Voice Phone Out minutes, but it'll only work in America, France, Germany, Spain and Singapore at the moment. Hit that source link to get your download on, cool?
Darren Murph10.11.2010Yahoo messenger coming to iPhone and Android with cross-platform 3G video calls
You'll be seeing a lot more of the good ol' Yahoo smiley on front-facing cameraphones soon -- the web portal's VP of Mobile David Katz says that a new Yahoo! Messenger with cross-platform video chat is headed to Android and iPhone. Originally confirmed for the new T-Mobile myTouch, it's presently been submitted to the iTunes App Store for review. It'll reportedly work over both 3G and WiFi connections and freely conduct video calls with any other device running Yahoo! Messenger, including webcam-equipped PCs. Look out Qik, Fring and Tango -- there's a new sheriff in town.
Sean Hollister10.09.2010Cisco Umi hands-on
At Cisco's CTIA press conference this week we got a chance to "experience" the Umi consumer video conferencing system, and it's pretty much what you'd expect: FaceTime for your living room. Just bigger, wider, and with, well... more living room. The hardware consists of 3 parts: a camera unit, a set-top box, and an infrared remote. The camera is able to pan and zoom, and connects to the set-top box via two cables. The set-top box features connections for power, Ethernet, and both HDMI in and out (for passthrough) as well as optical audio out We also got a video demo of Umi Connect by Steve Sullivan, product manager at Cisco -- it's the online portal which handles your messages, videos, call history, and contacts. There's also a "share" feature, for posting videos to Facebook and YouTube. Take a look at some video of Umi in action after the break, and please: remember to keep your pants on. %Gallery-104483%
Myriam Joire10.08.2010Tango launches 3G and WiFi video calling on iOS and Android, no account required
Today at San Francisco's Mobilize conference, a company by the name of Tango launched its video calling application, appropriately called... yes, "Tango." Like Fring, it's available for both iOS and Android devices, and handles calls over 3G and WiFi. Like FaceTime, no account is required to initiate calls. We chatted with Eric Setton, CTO of Tango, who gave us a demo of the application (on video) using an iPhone 4 and EVO 4G. We also tested Tango by installing the application on an iPhone 4 and Nexus One, and it works as advertised -- although it only appears to initiate calls with people already in your contact list. Tango relies on the XMPP protocol used by Jabber and Google Talk to initiate calls via a centralized server, but the actual calls are peer-to-peer over 3G and WiFi. Call quality scales dynamically with connection performance. Currently, the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and 4th generation iPod touch are supported, as well as devices running Android 2.1 and higher (not 2.0 as mentioned in the video). Give it a try and let us know how it works for you -- and remember, it takes two to tango. Follow the break for the video demo!
Myriam Joire09.30.2010Vision Digital Video Phone marks underwhelming return of Ojo
Well, this answers that. Back in early 2008, we wondered whether or not Ojo had gone dark once and for all, but it seems as if the video calling outfit has been brought back from the grave... for no apparent reason. The Ojo Vision Digital Video Phone is now on sale through the company's revived website, offering a 7-inch color LCD, a video output and a design that simply had to have been ripped straight from 1994. Of course, it's not like we haven't been to this rodeo before -- Verizon itself gave it a whirl (twice!), and promptly decided that its funds would be better spent elsewhere. We suppose not everyone is ready to move right along to mobile video calling, and if that's you, the source link has all the details on monthly plans. Just grab a paper grocery bag to wrap the unit itself in, okay? Trust us, it's for the best.
Darren Murph09.16.2010Qik happy to work with FaceTime APIs; anticipates 75 million copies preloaded next year
What's new with Qik, the cross-platform video chat and sharing service that made a splash on Sprint's EVO 4G? Oh, not much -- just some plans to make sure the app is the most popular client around. Qik reps just told us the company's definitely planning to integrate FaceTime compatibility (sound familiar?) as soon as Apple rolls out those free APIs, and is presently engaged in deals to make sure Qik comes preloaded on devices from most every major carrier and handset manufacturer worldwide. Presently preloaded on the aforementioned EVO 4G, Epic 4G, Samsung Omnia II and Nokia's N97 and N97 mini, the app is estimated to come standard on a total of 75 million devices by the end of next year. How many of those phones (and tablets?) will have front-facing cameras is a question for another day. Update: Qik pinged us today to let us know that FaceTime isn't a sure thing -- rather, they're just looking to take video sharing and calling to as many systems and platforms as they can, and they'll certainly look into FaceTime when Apple makes APIs available.
Sean Hollister09.09.2010Mr. Extreme Closeup suggests next-gen iPad is testing FaceTime... right now
Honestly, from this distance it's hard to tell what's going on, but 9 to 5 Mac says we're looking at a next-gen camera-equipped iPad fielded specifically to test video calls. As you may recall, iPhone software surfaced with a very similar menu just weeks before the iPhone 4 came out, which either means someone was inspired to create a clever 'shop, or that we just got our first real glimpse at iProd 2,1. Oh, and Mr. Extreme Closeup? He's our friend Blurrycam's old college roommate, didn't you know?
Sean Hollister09.04.2010Skype 5.0 beta brings 10-way video calling to the world
Skype's Windows client is showing a bit of ambition today as its latest beta version now boasts a mighty 10-way video calling implementation. The earlier v5.0 beta threw up five-way vidchat, but it'd seem Skype kept its software engineers working through the summer and now we've got double the visual fun. Which would be awesome if we actually had nine other people we cared to see while talking to them. This update also brings a UI makeover, your typical stability and call quality improvements, and a neat automated call recovery feature. Download away, if you must.
Vlad Savov09.03.2010Email-based FaceTime support surfaces in iOS 4.1 beta 3
Fool us once, shame on us. Fool us twice? Fuhgetaboutit. Apple has a thing for introducing new iPods each fall, and given that the existing touch is being given away gratis with a new student computer (not to mention how long in the tooth it is), we're guessing the tradition will continue in 2010. We'd heard earlier on in the year that Apple may toss FaceTime over to the iPod line whenever it finally gained a front-facing camera, and now the evidence is nearly too strong to ignore. In the latest iOS 4.1 beta (numero three, if you're keeping count), there's an option to connect to a contact via FaceTime by ringing their digits or by pinging their email address. We're guessing that the latter is there mostly for iPod touch users (the ones without Apple Peel 520s, anyway), and it's the most glaring sign yet that the next generation touch will flippin' finally boast a camera (or just a way around that SMS-based activation?). Still, we wouldn't get our hopes up too high -- falling ain't no fun, you know?
Darren Murph08.07.2010FaceTime 3G data consumption tested: about 3MB per minute
The folks over at 9to5Mac have kept up their investigation of FaceTime over 3G with a quick and dirty data usage analysis. Lest you've forgotten, jailbreaking Apple's Quattro permits walled garden escapees to FaceTime each other using dusty old 3G, and now we've got some numbers to show how much of an impact doing so will have on your bandwidth allowance. A 5-minute call resulted in 14.7MB of data transfers -- including both uploading and downloading -- for the 3G-riding iPhone, which breaks down to a rate slightly lower than 3MB per minute. That's not too horrible when you consider some streaming services use that much just to feed you video of England embarrassing itself in global football tournaments. Then again, we'd be remiss not to note that Fring does it at a claimed 1MB a minute and sans the jailbreak -- but who are we to begrudge having more options? [Thanks, Sam]
Vlad Savov08.04.2010iPhone 4 jailbreak enables FaceTime video calling over 3G
We'd actually already hacked up a 3G FaceTime video call using an iPhone 4 and a MiFi, but now that Apple's latest handset has been jailbroken, you can toss the extra hardware -- you just need a little Cydia app called My3G, which lets you run WiFi apps over 3G. FaceTime video quality appears to be unaffected, but from what we've seen the framerates suffer depending on your connection -- pretty much what you'd expect to get when running a video stream optimized for high-bandwidth connections on a smaller pipe. Still, it's instantly the best reason to jailbreak your phone -- check a video after the break. P.S.- If you're averse to jailbreaking, remember that Fring lets you make video calls over 3G without any shenanigans -- and unlike FaceTime, you can also video call non-iPhone users. Just sayin'!
Nilay Patel08.02.2010Adobe Air peer-to-peer video call concept Android app hands-on (video)
If you recall, a few days ago we stumbled upon a cheekily-named concept app (which has since been renamed for obvious reasons) from Adobe that does video-calling on Android. This is pretty rad considering it's just Qik and Fring offering the same service for the green bot right now, so we trotted along to Adobe's London office to get a closer look at this demo. As with many things in life, not all went as planned as you can see after the break -- the video stream froze up on several occasions, but then again Adobe's Mark Doherty only spent three days cooking this simple app. Regardless, this should still help Android developers understand the beefed-up peer-to-peer capabilities in the forthcoming Air 2.5 runtime, which is now "feature-complete" and undergoing extensive testing ahead of launch later this year. Things are less positive for Flash availability on other mobile platforms, though. While Nokia's just waiting for a Linux SDK before it can start porting Flash apps to its devices within 2010, Adobe implied that it's still waiting for two other vendors to respond -- Palm's already been shown a Flash build running on webOS devices, and it's just a matter of the company signing up for Adobe's device certification system; RIM, on the other hand, is a bit more vague, but we were told it's definitely interested in both Air and Flash. And here's the surprise of the day: no comment on Flash for iOS (not to be confused with its digital publishing tools for the iPad), but there's no stopping you from hacking it in yourself. Update: Adobe's Mark Doherty has sent us a statement to emphasize the industrial backing of the Air and Flash platforms for mobile. We've posted it after the break.
Richard Lai07.24.2010