Messaging

31 'Messaging' stories April 2013 - October 2013

Review: Flamingo for Mac looks to improve on Messages for Mac

Mike Beasley Oct 29 2013 - 12:00 pm PT

Messages for Mac may support a few different chat services, but there are still a variety of features that would vastly improve the experience of messaging on the Mac. Flamingo is a new app designed to make chatting even better with a whole host of features you didn’t even realize you were missing.

Unfortunately because Apple keeps iMessage pretty locked-down, you won’t be able to use Flamingo with that. You can still use it with your Facebook, Google Hangouts (text, not video), and other XMPP-based chat services. But should you use it for those things? Keep reading for our full review.

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Pirate Bay co-founder teases upcoming spy-proof messaging app called ‘Hemlis’

Jordan Kahn Jul 10 2013 - 6:02 am PT

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPeujbY3feM&feature=player_embedded

Peter Sunde, best known for his work as co-founder of torrent sharing service The Pirate Bay, is today teasing his latest project: a truly secure messaging app for mobile devices called ‘Hemlis’ (which means “secret” in Swedish). Peter, along with other team members Leif Högberg (@leihog) & Linus Olsson (@bonq), is currently raising money through PayPal and Bitcoin on the Heml.is website and providing those who get in early with a certain amount of unlock codes depending on how much they donate.

The guys are starting with iOS and Android clients for Hemlis and will eventually offer the app with free secure messaging for all as well as in-app purchases to unlock additional features. Those who donate now, however, will unlock the full app with extended features such as sending images. The app aims to be the first truly secure messaging app with end to end encryption that will keep your conversations from prying eyes, and will presumably include security features that just aren’t offered with the other popular third-party messaging apps on the App Store. The creators note that not even they will be able to access conversations, and they don’t plan on using advertising or selling user data to fund the project.

We’re very interested in learning more about Hemlis and plan to bring you a full review as the app gets closer to release.

Hemlis-messaging-app

Skype for iPhone & iPad updated with improvements to audio/video calls & photo sharing

Jordan Kahn Jun 27 2013 - 12:00 am PT

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After launching a new Video Messages feature for Skype back in February and making it completely free and unlimited earlier this month, Skype has updated its apps today with a number of performance enhancements. The video message feature, which allows users to record and send video messages within a Skype chat, was previously limited to three-minute-long videos, and after 20 free messages required a $4.99 premium account.

The updated Skype apps for both iPhone and iPad are available in the App Store now and also include stability improvements for audio and video calls, and performance enhancements for sharing photos.

What’s New in Version 4.9

– Video messaging is now free and unlimited.
– Audio and video call stability improvements.
– Share photos more reliably.
– Improved accessibil

Google’s new Hangouts app now available for iPhone and iPad

Jordan Kahn May 15 2013 - 11:37 am PT

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Google just announced a new unified messaging service today that will be available across multiple platforms and now the iOS app is officially available to download on the App Store.

The free Hangouts app is available as a universal download for both iPhone and iPad and offers group conversations with photos or 850 emojis, Video calls for hanging out with up to 10 friends, alerts that are synced across devices and more.

More Hangouts awesomeness:
— View and continue your Hangouts across devices.
— Get notifications just once. After you see an alert, it’ll be removed on other devices.
— Snooze your notifications if you’d prefer to respond later.
— See what you talked about in the past, including shared photos and your video call history.
— Keep a record of any Hangout for just a short period of time by turning history off.
— View collections of photos shared from each of your Hangouts.
— Choose from over 850 emoji to express what’s on your mind.

The Hangouts feature will also be coming to Gmail users today:
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Google announces Google Play Music ‘All Access’ streaming service, launching today for $9.99/month

Jordan Kahn May 15 2013 - 9:56 am PT

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From 9to5Google:

Google just announced its much rumored new music service called Google Play Music “All Access” live on stage at its Google I/O event keynote presentation.

Google execs focused on showing off curated playlists but also made a note of pointing out a “radio” feature that will automatically create an endless radio station based on the song you’re currently listening to. The service will also allow users to search for a particular song or view the “playlist” of a radio station to remove unwanted songs.

Also included is a feature called “Listen Now” that will provide quick access to recently listened to songs, customized radio stations based on your preferences, and recommendations for new releases from artists you like.

The service will be available on the web, tablets, and phones through Google Play and cost users $9.99 per month with a 30 day free trial in the US. Those that sign up before the end of June will be able to get the subscription for just $7.99/month and Google said the service will land in other countries soon.

Message Box brings systemwide Facebook Chat Heads to iOS [jailbreak]

Mike Beasley Apr 26 2013 - 4:28 pm PT

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Jailbreak developer Adam Bell has just published a new tweak that allows Facebook users to access their Chat Heads from anywhere. The tweak is called Message Box and it works remarkably well. It’s not 100% perfect yet, but it functions well enough to use full time without much of an issue.

Keep reading for more info on the tweak, including where you can get it before it hits Cydia.

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Google Babel to have iOS client at launch

9to5 Staff Apr 18 2013 - 11:21 am PT

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google-babel-code .

Google’s new Babel messaging platform is not only taking on a Hipchat-like Group messaging featureset, it also appears it will hit the iOS App Store at launch (which is looking like sooner rather than later for all of the code leaks). More at 9to5Google