Tag Archives: Skype

Microsoft aims to break down language barriers with Skype Translator

We’re living in the future, folks, in case you didn’t know. This week Microsoft is leading the charge in breaking down language barriers with its Skype Translator. Essentially, the new software allows Skype users to translate their conversations into another language in real-time. A perfect example of it in use is featured in the saccharine clip posted above. Students in America are video chatting peers in Mexico City; when an American student speaks English, the Spanish-speaking student on the other side can understand her completely (and vice-versa) as their spoken words are translated almost instantly. It’s quite magical, really.

Skype Translator is currently available as a preview and only supports English and Spanish. Skype promises that additional language support is on the way. You can help refine the incredible technology by signing up to become a preview user today.

[Via Microsoft]

Skype drops new app tailor-made for the iPad

At long last, Skype for iPad is here. Everything you’re used to using on the iPhone/iPod touch version of the app has been ported to the tablet and optimized for the bigger screen. Like the iPhone version this app allows for two-way video calling between other iPads, iPhones, iPod touches, Android devices, PCs, Macs, and HDTVs over WiFi and 3G. It also takes advantage of both the front and back-facing cameras. For the rest of the deets, hop after the break to read the full app description. There you’ll also find a brief demonstrative video. But I know what you really want: click here to download the free Skype for iPad app today.

[Via SkypeBlog] Continue reading Skype drops new app tailor-made for the iPad

Facebook integrates video calling powered by Skype

Today Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced a new feature for the ubiquitous social network that now reaches 750 million people around the world: video chat. Facebook engineers have been working with popular VoIP client Skype over the last few months to integrate video chat into Facebook’s chat service. Facebook says that the new feature will gradually roll out to everyone in over 70 different languages over the next few weeks. Itching to try it out today? Keep reading.

Setting up and initiating video chat is simple, really. Head over to this Facebook page and click Get Started. You will be prompted to download and install the Facebook Video Chat Plugin. Once that’s complete, you’re all set. There are two ways to initiate a video chat: go to a friend’s profile page and click the Call button (it’s located at the top right in between Message and Poke) or open up a chat window and click the new video camera icon. When you ring a friend they will be alerted to answer or ignore it. If you ring a friend who doesn’t have the plugin installed yet, they will be notified that you’re attempting a video call and will be provided the link to install the plugin. (But remember, in a few weeks time the update will be applied automatically.) The call window, which exists in its own window, shows you a large image of the friend you’re talking to and a tiny window of yourself sits in the top left corner. Since it’s its own window you are free to move it around and resize it, though note that you can only make it larger and enter full-screen mode; attempting to make it smaller is futile. After a playing around with it briefly, I am happy to report that video quality is crisp, bright, and clear, though these factors do depend on your Internet connection. One more thing: when you call a friend and he or she isn’t there to answer (or ignore) it you can leave a video message for them to view later.

Zuckerberg and Skype CEO Tony Bates were also on hand to announce Facebook services getting baked into the Skype desktop client. With Skype version 5.3 (beta for Windows only) you can log into your Facebook account in Skype and view your newsfeed, update your status, and initiate video calls right from within Skype. In so many words, the new collaborative initiative goes both ways. Other updates announced include… Once the video chat plugin is installed you should notice the new chat design in the bottom right hand corner. The sidebar now lists the people you message most, making it “easier to find your friends and start a conversation.” Also, “the sidebar adjusts with the size of your browser window, and it automatically appears when the window is wide enough.” Last is Group Chat. Launching a multi-person chat session is easy; after you begin a conversation with a friend, click the new Add Friends to Chat icon to, um, add more people to the conversation.

For those of you closely following the tech industry, it is interesting to note the sides that are being taken here. Last week Google announced their Facebook rival Google+, a currently invite-only social service that boasts Hangouts–a place where up to ten people can participate in video chat. On the heels of this announcement Zuckerberg came out and announced a partnership with Google rival Microsoft (the creator of search site Bing and recent buyer of Skype) to bring video chat functionality to Facebook. To paint a clearer picture, this is Google versus Facebook and Microsoft. It’s going to be very interesting to watch how all this plays out. But as things stand now, Facebook has the advantage thanks to its absurdly massive user base. Google, your move.

[Via Facebook; Skype]

Microsoft scoops up Skype

Skype, the ubiquitous video chat client, is now owned by the makers of Windows. Microsoft acquired Skype this week; it cost them a whopping $8.5 billion in cash to finalize the deal. According to the official press release:

The acquisition will increase the accessibility of real-time video and voice communications, bringing benefits to both consumers and enterprise users and generating significant new business and revenue opportunities. The combination will extend Skype’s world-class brand and the reach of its networked platform, while enhancing Microsoft’s existing portfolio of real-time communications products and services.

But what does this mean for you? Microsoft says Skype will come to support Xbox and Kinect, Windows Phone and a wide array of Windows devices and will connect Skype users with Lync, Outlook, Xbox Live and other communities. Communication across these Microsoft products and services is about to get a whole lot better and mainstreamed, so long as CEO Steve Ballmer and co. don’t screw things up. And don’t worry about losing your current Skype experience you’re accustomed to. The press release goes on to state that “Microsoft will continue to invest in and support Skype clients on non-Microsoft platforms.”

Effective immediately Skype is a new business division within Microsoft, Skype CEO Tony Bates is now president of said division and he will report directly to Ballmer. Full PR after the break.

[Via Engadget] Continue reading Microsoft scoops up Skype

Skype brings video calling to the iPhone

Today Skype updated its official iPhone app and version 3.0 brings with it video calling over WiFi and 3G.  Two-way Skype-to-Skype video calling can take place between two phones and between phones and computers (Windows, Mac, or Linux) at no charge.  In addition to the iPhone 4, the app is also compatible with the iPhone 3GS, the newest iPod touch, the third gen iPod touch, and the iPad all running iOS 4.0 or higher.  Since the latter two devices do not feature back and front-facing cameras they are restricted to only receiving video.  And note that since the 3GS does not pack a front-facing camera it will only broadcast video from the back-facing camera.

I gave the app a test drive and it worked flawlessly…over WiFi, that is.  With that stable connection I was able to successfully connect to a desktop Skype client and video chatting worked as advertised.  With the iPhone 4 you have the option to broadcast video from the front-facing camera and switch it to the back one on the fly, as well as options to mute the conversation and switch between portrait and landscape modes.  When I disabled WiFi and attempted an iPhone 4-to-desktop video chat the video appeared noticeably more pixelated and laggy until it decided to cut out completely and drop the call.  But that’s 3G for you; heck, at least it works.

The free Skype update is available to download now at the App Store.  Apple might have had a leg up on the video conferencing competition with FaceTime since iPhone 4’s introduction, but with Mac and Windows support–plus 3G support–plus a giant user base in the millions–Skype is enabling the futuristic functionality for a significantly larger community of iOS users.  Press release and (creepy) introductory demonstration video after the break.

[Via Engadget] Continue reading Skype brings video calling to the iPhone