Daily News Courier

Skype now beta testing video messaging service with some mobile users

Skype is actively testing a new video messaging service with a "group of mobile and mac users" according to its official Twitter account today. The new feature, which doesn't require a new update to the mobile app, enables users to send video messages back and forth up to 3 minutes in length. If you've been selected to be part of this initial test, the option will be found under a contact's name in the "More" category, which now holds options to do video messages and send files. You get a basic video interface where you can press the record button to start, and when you're done hit the record button again to save and send the message.

The menu item clearly says "20 free video messages remaining", so we're going to assume that sending video messages is going to be a premium feature costing Skype credits going forward. Are you seeing the feature show up in the Skype app on your devices? Let us know in the comments.

 Source: Skype (Twitter); Via: iMore

Over-the-top VOIP users to reach 1 billion in 4 years

Over the top (OTT) VOIP users will top 1 billion by 2017, according to some new research. It's no surprise that traditional voice call usage is going down, but that doesn't mean that people are stopping voice calls all together. The transition to VOIP (Voice Over IP) calling services is on the rise, according to a report out today by Juniper Research, and could reach a massive 1 billion users in just 4 short years. Today, current VOIP solutions like Skype and Talkatone don't integrate natively with phones but rather run as standalone apps, and don't always work as well as users would expect over regular 3G data technologies.

Fortunately as LTE becomes the standard for mobile data, the higher speeds and lower latency will help this move. Apps will start to take advantage with better audio codecs and other software innovations as well. The unknown in all of this is how carriers will react to the move towards VOIP solutions as primary calling options for users.

Source: FierceWireless

Daily news roundup: November 20, 2012

It's been another day full of Android news, and plenty of stuff has been bumped off the first page. It happens when you're dealing with so much Android goodness. Here's a quick recap of today's highlights, go ahead and dig in!

Google and the carriers

• Google promises fix for Android 4.2 December birthday bug
• Amazon Appstore update pushing out, fixes Android 4.2 login issue
• U.S. DOJ requesting more information for MetroPCS merger approval
• EE launches SIM-only UK LTE plans
• Cricket announces the Groove with Muve

Nexus news

• Nexus 7 shipments for 2012 expected to top 5 million
• Android 4.2 OTA update and factory image live for 'yakju' Galaxy Nexus
• White Nexus 4 tipped for Dec. 13 UK launch

App fun

• TuneIn Radio turns on Premier League games
• Runkeeper's got a new Holo look and get's friendly with some new features
• Amazon Appstore update pushing out, fixes Android 4.2 login issue
• Skype brings new layout, improved audio to Android tablets

Odd and Ends

• Sony launches PlayStation Mobile Developer Program
• Android 4.1.2 firmware for international Galaxy Note 2 leaks
• HTC's Peter Chou dismisses talk of $6-8 per-phone payment to Apple

Android Central Podcast 110: HTC’s second act, the Galaxy Note 2 and … a camera

Thing 1: Samsung Galaxy Note 2

• This is what a T-Mobile branded Galaxy Note 2 will look like
• Quick screen comparison: Galaxy Note 2 versus Galaxy S3
• Samsung Galaxy Note 2 initial photo and video samples

Thing 2: HTC reboots the One X already, brings the VX

• HTC One X+ is official – faster CPU, bigger battery, Sense 4+ and Jelly Bean
• Hands-on with the HTC One X+ and Sense 4+
• Best of both worlds? The AT&T HTC One VX
• AT&T announces the HTC One X+; Nvidia quad-core meets LTE
• HTC to deliver Jelly Bean and Sense 4+ upgrade for One S, X and XL this month
• HTC's 'Get Started' helps you set up your new Sense device from a computer
• TELUS confirms HTC One X+ is coming to Canada
• HTC One X+ headed to UK from Oct 22, priced £474, says retailer

Thing 3: Nikon Coolpix S800c

• Nikon Coolpix S800c hardware
• The OS on the Nikon Coolpix S800c – it's Android, and that's both good and bad
• Skype, on the Nikon Coolpix S800c

Thing 4: Other odds and ends

• Sprint and AT&T getting the LG Optimus G
• T-Mobile, MetroPCS merging in $1.5 billion deal
• Over 25 percent of Android devices now running 4.0 and above

Skype, on the Nikon Coolpix S800c

Look, the Nikon Coolpix S800c runs Android, so it's not all that strange for us to put the Skype app on the … camera … and give it a go. The speaker leaves a lot to be desired, and don't even think about doing a video call. But still. How cool is this?

But be warned: You will look a little funny walking down the street with a camera to your ear.

Skype iOS Apps Get Photo Sharing With New Update

imo.im Launches Free VoIP Calling

Sony ‘Xperia Tablet’ details leak – Tegra 3, splashproof glass and a keyboard cover

Since the launch of the Tablet S and Tablet P last year, little has been heard from Sony on the subject of future tablet plans. However, that changes today with the leak of a massive cache of slides detailing the company's next-generation "Xperia tablet." The slides first appeared in an XDA forum post, where the poster said the tablet would come to market in time for the holidays.

The new tablet will be "positioned as part of the Xperia family," which includes Sony's range of Android smartphones. Externally, the leaked slides indicate a thinner, lighter design, while keeping the Tablet S's trademark "wedge" design and 9.4-inch screen size. Tentative specs list the thickness as 8.8mm at the bottom of the wedge, and 11.85 at the top. The device is said to weigh 570 grams, down from 598. And in contrast to the plastic chassis of Sony's earlier tablet, the new model will be constructed of anodized aluminum-magnesium alloy and splashproof glass. Screen resolution looks set to remain at 1280×800 pixels (WXGA).

Internally, the Xperia tablet will apparently sport an NVIDIA Tegra 3 CPU with 16, 32 or 64GB of storage, and the camera specs have been bumped up to 1MP on the front and 8MP around the back. Battery life is estimated at 10 hours of Wifi browsing, on a 6000mAh battery. Interestingly, the OS version is marked as "ICS or later," suggesting the possibility that the Xperia tablet will ship with Jelly Bean at launch.

In addition to Android 4-point-something, you can expect the full Sony Entertainment Network suite, including PlayStation support and access to the Sony Reader store for e-books. A range of third-party apps are mentioned in the slides too, including the likes of Netflix, Hulu, Picasa, Box.net, Skype and Facebook, which may be pre-loaded.

A range of accessories is promised too, including stands, carrying cases, and a Microsoft Surface-style keyboard cover (though there's no indication of whether this works the same as Microsoft's offering). Tentative pricing starts at $449.99 for the 16GB version. 32GB is set for $549.99, and 64GB for $649.99.

With the IFA show just around the corner, and Sony confirmed to be in attendance, we'll be keeping our eyes peeled for a possible unveiling in Berlin late next month. For more details, check the slides after the break.

Source: XDA; via: XperiaBlog

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Skype: ‘Skype version 2.8 for Android not affected’ by messaging bug

While there was never any mention of the recently-reported (and rare) Skype messaging bug actually affecting Android, anyone who had any slight concerns can rest easy. While a fix is being rolled out, Skype has officially stated that Android users on Skype version 2.8 are OK. 

In an official statement on their blog, alongside announcing a fix for all affected versions, they had the following to say specifically mentioning Android, and iOS versions of the app –

During further investigation, we confirmed that not all Skype products were affected by this error as originally reported. We can assure that users of Skype 5.9 for Windows, Skype 2.8 for Android and Skype 4.0 for IOS have not been affected.

So, while all is OK, if for some reason you've avoided updating to version 2.8, it's probably worth doing so to ensure you remain bug-free. 

Source: Skype

Skype: ‘Skype version 2.8 for Android not affected’ by messaging bug

While there was never any mention of the recently-reported (and rare) Skype messaging bug actually affecting Android, anyone who had any slight concerns can rest easy. While a fix is being rolled out, Skype has officially stated that Android users on Skype version 2.8 are OK. 

In an official statement on their blog, alongside announcing a fix for all affected versions, they had the following to say specifically mentioning Android, and iOS versions of the app –

During further investigation, we confirmed that not all Skype products were affected by this error as originally reported. We can assure that users of Skype 5.9 for Windows, Skype 2.8 for Android and Skype 4.0 for IOS have not been affected.

So, while all is OK, if for some reason you've avoided updating to version 2.8, it's probably worth doing so to ensure you remain bug-free. 

Source: Skype