Viber exits beta, now available for all in the Android & iOS and soon BlackBerry

Posted By Ray Nicolini

VoIP client Viber has exited beta and is now available for download without an invitation.  If you aren't familiar, here's the skinny: Viber allows for free calling and texting among its nearly 20 million registered users over 3G and WiFi connections, across both Android and iOS platforms and soon on BlackBerry.

Source: Viber

Facebook to launch in-browser video chat powered by Skype?

Posted By Ray Nicolini

Microsoft's $8.5 billion acquisition of Skype hasn't closed yet, but it looks like Redmond is already working behind the scenes to make the service even more ubiquitous. According to an anonymous source interviewed by TechCrunch, Facebook is going to introduce video chat next week, and that service will be powered by none other than Skype. And while the service will be browser-based, it's also said to include a desktop component. We'd say none of that sounds too fantastical -- video calls would be a logical extension of Facebook chat, and let's not forget about the $240 million Microsoft invested in the site back in 2007. What's more, Facebook sent out invites for an event next week, where Mark Zuckerberg was clear the outfit would unveil a new product from its Seattle team. That's in Microsoft's backyard, of course, the invites themselves have chat icons on 'em, and, most tellingly, that Seattle office has been snapping up engineers specializing in desktop software. All told, that adds up to a likely true story to us, but we won't know for sure until the long, beachy weekend is through.

TechCrunch

By Ray Nicolini

As of yet there is no native Skype app for the BlackBerry PlayBook, but there is a nice workaround that allows you to use Skype from your PlayBook by taking advantage of Adobe Flash v10.3 support in the browser. The same goes for using GTalk, Yahoo, MSN, and a few others as well. How does it work? Simply go to http://imo.im/ from your PlayBook's browser and then sign in to one of the many messaging application options.

I tried it myself, and the Skype calling works pretty good. The PlayBook's QNX microphone picked up the sound very well, and the speed was pretty fast, not much delay. Let us know if you give it a try, and how it works for you?

Via BlackBerryOS.com

Review: Skype Mobile On Your BlackBerry

By Ray Nicolini
via www.Blackberrysync.com 

At this time, the Skype application is available in the U.S., so Canada is still in waiting. But we tried the Skype app out to see how well it would work and what the sound quality sounds like. We gave you a highlight of Skype when it was released to the Verizon BlackBerry handsets, now we can give you a dual review.

Scott used his mac and I have the app installed on a BlackBerry Bold 9650. The app is simple to install. For Verizon, it’s accessible through the VCAST Apps, or the Verizon homepage in the browser. The app installs easily. Setting it up is even easier. First you can use your current Skype acct. Don’t have Skype? It’s free and all you do is open an acct. Skype is used for communication overseas, video chats, phone calls from the pc. You sign into your Skype Mobile app and then you can start using it.

This time we’re changing things up a bit. Because the app requires someone to have a pc to use Skype to Skype, we’re making this a dual review. I’m going to go over the app and show you some screenshots, and Scott is going to include his review of the call in being on the other side of the BlackBerry application.

Adding contacts is so extremely easy. When you open your Skype Mobile, you’ll see six icons at the top. Your Contacts, Messages, Phone, Add a Contact, Status, and My Information. If you click on the Menu button you will see the following: Help, Skype Credit, Options, About Skype Mobile, Sign Out, and Close. You can add a contact from your BlackBerry Contacts, Search The Skype Directory, or add a number.

Scott phoned my Skype from the Mac, and it rang to my phone as a Skype call. The call comes through with crystal clarity. For me it sounded like we were in the same room talking. The call barely used any bars, and we spoke for an hour and a half. The call was never lost, never dropped, and never heard any interference. My phone didn’t get hot, according to Fixmo, there was no hard memory usage whatsoever.

I was really surprised with how easy it is to use along with the quality. The app also allows you to IM with a contact. You can’t do the video chat of course, but you can talk and IM on it. Skype is currently running at v1.3.0.12. If you are a Verizon customer, you can download it from the following link. If you’re Skype app isn’t the current version, you can upgrade it as well.

Grab your free Skype v1.30.12 mobile for BlackBerry here 

Scammers contacting me through Skype

Mr David Akoto:

Dear Nicolini,

I have been in search of someone with this last name "Nicolini" so when I saw your name I was pushed to contact you and see how best we can assist each other. I am Mr. Mr.David Akoto, I am the regional manager of AMALGAMATED BANK OF (GH) LTD. I believe it is the wish of God for me to come across you on search now. I am having an important business discussion I wish to share with you which I believe will interest you because, it is in connection with your last name and you are going to benefit from it.

One Late Mr.PETER B.Nicolini, a citizen of your country had a fixed deposit with my bank in 2004 for 36 calendar months, valued at US$3,400,000.00 (Three Million, Four Hundred Thousand US Dollars) the due date for this deposit contract was this 16 of January 2009. Sadly PETER was among the death victims in the May 26 2006 Earthquake disaster in Jawa, Indonesia that killed over 5,000 people. He was in Indonesia on a business trip and that was how he met his end.
My bank management is yet to know about his death, I knew about it because he was my friend and I am his account officer. Mr. PETER did not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the account was opened, and PETER was not married but has a daughter he adopt from the orphanage. Last week my Bank Management requested that i should give instructions on what to do about his funds, if to renew the contract.

I know this will happen and that is why I have been looking for a means to handle the situation, because if my Bank Directors happens to know that PETER is dead and do not have any Heir, they will claim the funds for their personal use, so I don't want such to happen. That was why when I saw your last name I was happy and I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/ Heir to the account, since you have the same last name with him and my bank head quarters will release the account to you. There is no risk involved; the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law.

It is better that we claim the money, than allowing the Bank Directors to claim it, they are rich already. I am not a greedy person, so I am suggesting we share the funds, 50/50%, my share will assist me to start my own company which has been my dream. Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information as TOP SECRET. We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent response strictly through my personal email address david_akoto@live.com
Anticipating your communication.
Mr.David Akoto
Email me with your telephone number: david_akoto@live.com or you can call me on my direct line 00233548296703

Ray: oh hi, thank you

Ray: thank you please call me at 1-416-225-1102  ( I gave them PhoneBusters Number )

I have now Blocked this idiot from contacting again, but just a reminder that there is alot of scum out there in the real world, NEVER give out personal information to strangers

Skype gets Multitasking on iPhone 3GS and 4

What's New In This Version:

● Run Skype in the background with multitasking in iOS4. Receive Skype calls and IM while other apps are running or when your iPhone is locked. You can also continue your call while you switch to another application. Multitasking is available only with iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS.

When Will Apple note that Skype no longer plans to charge for 3G calling.

In light of that, we no longer have plans to charge a supplement to make calls over 3G. We’re delighted to make it easier for you to talk for even longer and do even more together using Skype.

 Strange that Skype only allows this on iPhones and not recent iPods, eh?  Where should we cast our suspicious gaze?

Is it too early to start complaining about the lack of Video Conferencing since Skype kicked Fring to the curb or are we smitten?

via: www.9to5mac.com