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Skype completely redesigns iPhone app

Skype 5.0 for iphone

Skype has decided to overhaul its iOS app, bringing it to version 5.0. Recently, the communications company has been upgrading its mobile app for other platforms, namely Android and Windows Phone, but until now Apple has been left behind.

The first thing you might notice is the new interface. They have completely changed the looks to bring it in line with the newer iOS design language. The next thing is the software changes. You can now start group chats directly from the central hub and don't have to wait until a friends is online before you can message them. Apparently offline messaging was something that was only developed in 2014.

Skype 5.0 also has some software upgrades that are not obvious upon opening the app. It is better at synching your messages between devices and has had its coding redesigned to work up to five times faster, according to a teaser video released Monday evening.

But after tempting you with all the upgrades and good news, Skype is going to leave you hanging. It will be another week before the new Skype for the iPhone is released to the public.

Read More | Skype for iPhone

Gallery: Skype completely redesigns iPhone app


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Skype for iOS 4.6 brings new interface, improved calling

Skype Updated to version 4.6 for iOS

Skype, the popular video and VoIP calling service, has updated its iOS apps for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad to version 4.6. It includes a revamped user interface and improved calling experience. Here's the rundown of the changes:

What's New in Version 4.6

  • Beautiful new calling experience
  • Mark all your recent chats as read with just a few taps.
  • General fixes and improvements

Gallery: Skype for iOS 4.6 brings new interface, improved calling


Facebook Messenger iOS App adds free VoIP audio calling

Facebook Messenger App VoIP   Facebook Messenger App VoIP (2)

Hot on the heels of Facebook's event announcing its new Social Graph feature, Facebook Messenger iOS app has been updated to VoIP audio calling functionality for US users. It's interesting since, technically, Facebook uses Skype backend, which is owned by parent company Microsoft. Thus, the collaborative user base is pretty vast. It appears that it is limited only to audio calls, but it is safe to assume that video calling is in the pipeline. VoIP may not use your monthly allotment of cell minutes but it will definitely use your mobile data plan, of course it will not effect your carrier plan if users use a WIFI acces point. The app is a free download available in the App Store.

What’s New in Version 2.1.1

  • Back by popular request: Now you can swipe right to archive a conversation again
  • Other improvements and bug fixes

*Free calling uses your existing data plan, and will be rolling out over the next few weeks.

Read More | Facebook Messenger

Gallery: Facebook Messenger iOS App adds free VoIP audio calling


Skype app for iOS updated for iPhone 5

Skype 4.1.2 for iPhone 5 Skype 4.1.2 for iPhone 5 (2)

The popular Voice Over IP service, Skype, has updated its iOS app to 4.1.2 for iPhone 5 display; so no more funky black borders. It only took them what? Two months to update it? Better late than never, we guess. This update also brings along the usual bug fixes. You can download Skype 4.1.2 now.

Read More | Skype for iOS

Gallery: Skype app for iOS updated for iPhone 5


Download the Vonage Time to Call app and get a free international call

Vonage Time to Call

If you've been putting off calling your aunt in the Dominican Republic or your Slovenian cousins because of the cost of calling from your mobile phone, a promotion from Vonage should pique your interest. The VoIP provider is giving away one free international phone call, up to 15 minutes, to anyone who downloads its new iPhone app, Time to Call. The app is also free.

What's especially appealing about the offer is you don't have to be a paying customer of Vonage (from $11.99 per month) to use the app or get the one free trial call. The free call expires one year after you download the app. Be sure to check that the country you're calling is on the list of 100 that are included in the deal (check below).

After your one free call, all calls are billed in 15-minute increments. Prices for the 15-minute blocks of international talk time range from 99 cents to $9.99, depending on which country you call, although calling most countries is less than $1.99. And typical of Vonage's slightly experimental nature, the Time to Call app doesn't charge you through pre-paid credits or an in-system account, the way other services such as Skype do. Instead, Vonage's app bills you directly through iTunes.

Click to continue reading Download the Vonage Time to Call app and get a free international call

Gallery: Download the Vonage Time to Call app and get a free international call


Skype for iPad now available

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Social Networking, Free Apps,

After a false start this morning, Skype today released its official iPad app.

Skype for iPad is now available for download in the Apple App Store. The free app is compatible with Apple tablets running iOS 4.0 or higher.

"Skype for iPad is beautifully designed and optimized for the iPad. It offers the best of both worlds for users who want a larger Skype experience, on-the-go," Skype said in a blog post. "The large iPad screen is perfect for bringing Skype video calls to life, in either landscape or portrait view, and because it is on the iPad, Skype video calls can be made at the beach, in a car or even lying on a couch."

Skype promised several iPad-optimized features, including two-way video calling for those with an iPad 2. Connect with other Skype users on PCs, Macs, or iPhones and Android phones with front-facing cameras.

Click to continue reading Skype for iPad now available

Gallery: Skype for iPad now available


Fring on iPhone 4 brings Skype video calling over 3G and WiFi

Fring Video Chat

Hey, don’t look now, but if you’ve been wanting to use your front camera to do video calling outside of FaceTime (and on 3G,) the newly updated Fring app is where you’ll wanna look. They updated so that you can do a video chat with any Skype user or anyone else running Fring, and you can do it over Wi-Fi or 3G. Now the cool thing here is that you can do video chats with people who are sitting at their computers connected to Skype, this isn’t just iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 like FaceTime currently is. The call quality will vary depending on your connection, but still, its another video calling option, and the app is free. You can download Fring now from the App Store.

Oh, and please don’t drive while video calling. That can lead to all sorts of trouble.

Gallery: Fring on iPhone 4 brings Skype video calling over 3G and WiFi


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