Hasta La Gadget!

Earlier this month, Facebook updated its iPhone Messenger App to be a little more than just a way for you to IM your Facebook friends, that is, if for some reason you prefer to do it in a standalone application rather than reading your messages through Facebook’s official app. The update brought the ability to share voice messages to Facebook users through the application, but in Canada, or the land of maple syrup as I like to call it, they were given the ability to make VoIP calls through Facebook Messenger.

It looks like the “test” was deemed enough of a success for Facebook to now allow for the U.S. version of Facebook Messenger to be given the ability to make VoIP calls to other Facebook users. Best of all, there’s no update necessary as it’ll just start work as soon as you deem someone lucky enough to hear the sound of your voice rather than just your words on a screen.

Facebook teamed up with Skype back in November of 2011 as the union made it possible to make calls through Skype right from the comfort of your Facebook profile. Today’s update makes it much easier to chat with someone as you can initiate a call straight from your iPhone.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: RIM Launches Blackberry 10 “Last Chance Port-A-Thon” Event, Samsung Exynos Exploit Fix Pushed,

Skype has announced version 6.1 for Windows, which includes two big changes: an updated profiles, and integration with Outlook, eliminating the need to toggle between the two applications. With the latest version, users can make calls and perform other Skype functions, such as messaging, from directly within Outlook. The update is available for download now.

Contacts’ online statuses are now displayed from within Outlook via their contact cards, including mood messages and contact data. Calls can be initiated from within Skype regardless of whether the contact is a Skype friend. Once the contact’s phone number is added to Outlook’s contacts, a call can be initiated. Obviously, you have to have a Skype subscription or credit.

In addition to placing calls, users can also sent an instant message to any contact who also uses Skype. Likewise, if the contact has Skype, a video call can be initiated from within Outlook rather than just an audio call. This differs from above because the contact must have Skype. The feature is available for those using Outlook 2010 or higher.

In addition to Outlook integration, Skype 6.1 for Windows allows users to find contacts by searching for them via the contacts list. Profiles have been altered so that information is more accessible and the entire design is easier to navigate. Some account options have been added as well, such as an easier method to get a subscription.

[via Skype]

Skype 6.1 for Windows has updated profiles, Outlook integration is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

This week Microsoft sent out a mass e-mail to all 100,000,000+ users of its Messenger instant messaging application. The mass e-mail was sent out to let users know that as of March 15, 2013 Messenger would no longer be available. Microsoft will be migrating all Messenger users over to Skype on March 15.

This migration has been brewing since Microsoft purchase Skype in May of 2011 for a whopping $8.5 billion. After the March 15 deadline, messenger will only continue to work in mainland China. This is reportedly because Skype is operated by a local provider called TOM in mainland China.

Microsoft is urging users to go ahead and update to Skype and sign in using a Microsoft Account, which is the same as the users Messenger ID. The good thing is that all of the users Messenger contacts will be available and users will be able to instant messaging video chat with them via Skype just as they did previously on Messenger.

Microsoft previously promised that Messenger would be retired in Q1 of 2013, but the exact date was only revealed this week. Messenger users will be given the option to merge your own accounts and message both Skype and Messenger contacts.

[via TheNextWeb]

Microsoft to kill the Messenger and migrate users to Skype in March is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

I have personally not logged into Windows Live Messenger for at least a year, or maybe even longer, but the point is that it has been a while. Skype is now my main mode of communicating with friends and family, and it looks like Microsoft plans to move all their users onto Skype – unsurprising given the Redmond company’s acquisition of Skype awhile back. Microsoft has since sent out an email to its Messenger users, informing them that come March 15^th 2013, they will be discontinuing the Windows Live Messenger service and that users will have to upgrade to Skype if they wish to continue using their IM service. However fret not because from now until then, Windows Live Messenger will continue to operate as per normal. Interestingly it seems that this will affect everyone around the world except for those living in mainland China. Back in November it was rumored that such a move could be taking place which then confirmed a day later, but at that time only a rough timeframe of Q1 2013 was given, but at least we have a fixed date now which Windows Live Messenger users will probably want to mark down on their calendars.

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Earlier this week Microsoft updated its Skype for Windows Phone application. Making good on its plans to retire Messenger, users can now IM their buddy list from within the app. In addition, the new software push adds the ability to receive calls and messages while Skype is closed, but the changelog cautions that this feature is a “work-in-progress.” While we welcome these new features with open arms, they come at somewhat of a steep price. Skype 2.1.0.241 “temporarily” kills the app’s integration with Windows Phone’s People Hub. Something that Microsoft plans to patch up via another update at an undisclosed time. If you can get past losing such a prominent feature for the sake of being up to date, then head on over to the Windows Phone Store to claim your 8MB prize.

Filed under: Software, Mobile, Microsoft

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Via: CNET, GeekWire

Source: Microsoft