Skype Translator preview now speaks Italian and Mandarin.

Back in December last year, Skype debuted the preview of a new service called Skype Translator that lets users connect to people around the world without worrying about the language. Back then, Skype Translator only supported Spanish and English. Four months later, Skype is now adding Italian and Mandarin to the list of languages.

The announcement was made on the Skype blog today. the blog post state how "Mandarin is challenging language to learn, even for Skype Translator. With approximately 10,000 characters and multiples tons, this is one of the most difficult languages for a native English speaker to master, along with arabic, Japanese, and Korean." Italian was added following popular demand when Skype rolled out the sign-up page for the preview.

Besides the addition of Italian and Mandarin, this new release also include some "key" changes:

Text to speech translation:

• You now have the option to hear the instant messages people send to you - in the language of your choice.
• Continuous recognition - Recognized text translation as your partner is speaking.

Automatic volume control:

• Your partner can speak while the translation is still happening. You will hear the translation at full volume, and your partner at a lower volume, so that you can follow the translation, which will help make conversations more fluid.

Mute option for translated voice:

• There is now an option to easily turn translated audio oe or off if you would prefer to only read the transcript.

Read the full post on Skype blog.

By: blendrang sayur On 10:09:00 AM

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Video Messaging: Get creative with 7 new Skype Qik live effects.

Skype Qik - pronounced quick - is Skype's second app that is cross platform, just like it's big brother Skype. But Skype Qik still plays in the messaging category albeit exclusively video. It can be compared to Instagram in that Qik lets you capture moments by shooting videos, add predefined effects to them and share with friends or groups of friends. Besides being a video messenger app, Skype Qik is really good at making your videos a great piece of art.  And it keeps getting better at that.

In the most recent update, Skype Qik got 7 new live effects. Users will be able to pick the effects they want while shooting the videos, hence the live effects. Simply swipe over the viewfinder to scroll through the fun effects before sharing the masterpiece with friends.

Check out the update in the Windows Phone store. 

By: blendrang sayur On 6:10:00 AM

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Skype Qik now lets you move messages between conversation; special holiday surprised added.

I have never been a fan of Snapchat, so it's no surprise that Skype Qik is there on my devices and has never been used if not for a few tests when it was released. If, unlike me, you're a user or fan of Skype Qik, then head over to the store as there is an update waiting for you. Maybe the changes listed below will make sense to you and improve your Qik, say "Quick", experience.

As mentioned in the title, the Qik team included a special holiday surprise in this update. It consists of falling snow flakes  upon launching the app. Don't worry, the flakes go away after a few seconds.

Here's what is new in this version of Skype Qik:

• Qik Fliks are here. (Just in case you missed them in the last update).
• New menu lets you delete, save, or send your message to another conversation.
• PLUS, a special holiday surprise!

Source: Windows Phone store

By: blendrang sayur On 7:41:00 PM

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Skype for Windows Phone 8.1 gets Cortana integration.

Skype today has announced an update that will please Windows Phone 8.1 developers and users alike. The said update, that brings Skype for Windows Phone to version 2.19, includes Cortana integration. Thus, users will be able to start a Skype call by asking Cortana something like: "Skype get Linley Meslier on the screen." This new feature will be available in the U.S. or devices that have Cortana working. So it should work even if you're outside the U.S. on devices running the 8.1 preview.

The update includes some other exciting features as well such the addition of more language support bring the number from 19 to 51; fast app resume to bring the app in the foreground faster; improved notifications. The other interesting new feature is the ability to edit the last message user sent. Not sure how's that useful, but according to a Skype blog post, it is a user requested feature. So there you have it.

The update is already available on the Windows Phone Store here. 

Source: Skype blog

By: blendrang sayur On 5:25:00 AM

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Viber now lets you call non-Viber mobile and landline at low rates.

Viber for Windows Phone was updated today to version 4.1 and it has some features of interest that fans of the app will enjoy. The first one is the ability to use Viber on your Windows Phone to make calls to other mobile phones and land-lines. This added feature is not free, but the rates are inferior to what similar calls cost especially for international calls. Similar to Skype, you will need to buy credits in order to use this feature called Viber Out, which puts Viber in direct competition with Skype.

Other features include:

Send video messages
Send multiple photos at the same time
Hands-free Bluetooth support: seamlessly transfer calls to Bluetooth

Viber is free to download from the Windows Phone Store. If you already have it, get the update in the Store app on your phone.

By: blendrang sayur On 8:06:00 AM

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Skype for Windows Phone now requires a Microsoft account.

Shortly after Microsoft acquired Skype, users were able to login to Skype with their Microsoft account. A Microsoft account is simply your Live/Hotmail or Outlook account. Skype for Windows Phone displayed a login field for both the traditional Skype account and a Microsoft account. I immediately made the switch when this feature became available. I did however keep my Skype account as it was still required to access Skype WiFi, an app available on Android and iOS that lets you access Skype enabled hotspots worldwide. Now that Skype WiFi also supports Microsoft account, I can get rid of my Skype account altogether.

In the latest Skype update published to the store, a Microsoft account is now a requirement to use Skype on Windows Phone. Users will not see the Skype account field anymore after they update the app and link their Skype account to their Microsoft account. The instructions to that can be found on Skype support site.

After you're done with the linking, Skype will take care of carrying your Skye credits and contacts over. It went well for me and did not encounter any issues at all.

The update which brings Skype to version 2.16.0.266, also lets you see when someone is typing. The usual bug fixes and performance improvement are also there.

Skype is available free in the Windows Phone Store.

By: blendrang sayur On 6:58:00 AM

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WeChat updated with support for 100 members group.

WeChat is a very popular multi-platform messaging service in far east countries. It is a strong competitor to the ikes of Skype,WhatsApp with 300 million active users. As with WhatsApp, a phone number is required to register and start using WeChat to chat, share pictures and videos with your friends whether they be on iOS, Android, Symbian and Windows Phone.

WeChat for Windows Phone got updated today with the ability to create groups with up to 100 members. Check out the change log:

What's New in WeChat 5.1
- Increase your group's capacity to 100 members
- Forward more than one messages at a time
- Press and hold stickers to preview them before downloading
- Show messages not sent in the chat list

WeChat is available free in the Windows Phone Store.

By: blendrang sayur On 9:21:00 AM

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Skype, Translator and LinkedIn updated.

Some of my favorite apps today got updated. Skype now loads faster; Translator supports more languages offline; and linkedIn lets you edit your profile on your device. Check out the full change log below:

Skype

- Faster start-up time.
- Copy and paste instant messages in chat.
- High contrast accessibility mode.
- General fixes and improvements.

Translator 

- Camera translation for Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Russian and Swedish
- Offline translation for Dutch, Norwegian, Russian and Swedish
- Lamp in camera mode
- Remove history items one by one

LinkedIn
Build your reputation: Add and edit your profile picture
•  Leverage your network: Easily grow your network from people in your address book
•  Increase your knowledge: More easily see who's viewed your profile and join groups

By: blendrang sayur On 1:22:00 AM

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