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Skype app updated for iOS 8, includes interactive notifications for calls and messages

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The Skype app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch has now been updated with support for iOS 8. Unfortunately, this does not include support for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus screen sizes, meaning Skype still renders at a scaled iPhone 5s resolution.

However, the update does add interactive notifications which helps streamline responding to content. Hence, new Skype notifications have buttons attached to the alert which can perform various actions. For voice calls, you can answer or decline. For video calls, you can choose between voice or video responses. For missed calls, you can respond with a message or call the person straight back.


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Facebook Messenger for iPhone updated with free calling support

screen568x568Just a week after Facebook added group management to its Messenger app, the social network is out with yet another update to the messaging service: free calls for everyone.

The feature allows you to call your Facebook friends who also have the app over WiFi for free (you can call over cellular as well, but this uses data, of course). Free calling is especially beneficial to users who communicate internationally as calling rates tend to get pricey in that area.

Messaging threads now include a phone icon for prompting calls from the app, and the actual phone user interface resembles the native iOS Phone UI prior to iOS 7.1 introducing a tweaked design to the Phone app.

Facebook-owned Whatsapp is poised to introduce VOIP support in an upcoming update as well. Screenshots of Whatsapp in-app calling leaked earlier this year.

Facebook Messenger 4.1 is available for free on the App Store.

Screenshots of WhatsApp’s upcoming VOIP feature surface, design similar to iOS 7’s Phone app

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Shortly after being acquired by Facebook for $19 billion dollars, WhatsApp announced that it was planning to integrate VOIP into its messaging app in the coming months. Today, iPhoneItalia has picked up images of what it claims are screenshots of the VOIP feature in action.

In line with the iOS 7 redesign the app received in December, the VOIP functionality closely reflects the design of iOS 7’s native phone interface. The interface uses the same circular buttons and blurred background image; even copying the circular ‘end call’ button from iOS 7.1.


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VoIP app Viber announces Viber Out, allowing cheap outgoing calls to any number worldwide

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Viber, the popular cross-platform VoIP app, released Viber 4.1 for iOS today. The new app introduces a new calling feature called Viber Out. This service allows users on any supported Viber platform to place outgoing calls to any landline or mobile number in the world at rates lower than many other similar offerings.

Viber Out also allows users to use their real phone number as their caller ID, meaning the party on the other end will see your number as if the call was coming from the users phone, so there’s no need for your contacts to save a new VoIP number in order to recognize you.

Viber 4.1 is rolling out for iPhone now on the iOS App Store.

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Facebook voice calling seemingly being rolled out globally today

Pocket-lint reported that United Kingdom users would be given access to Facebook’s Skype-like voice calling service today. Readers confirm that the service is indeed rolling out.

A reader reported that it’s also live in Argentina, so it’s likely we can expect to see it rolling out to other countries shortly.

The beta service allows free voice calls to Facebook contacts, and it has been available in the United States and Canada for a couple of months. U.K. iPhone users can expect to see it switched on in the free Facebook Messenger app. There is no news yet on whether U.K. Android users will also be given access to the feature, but it would seem likely.

Update: @Jason_le reports that it has also gone live in Australia, so it seems pretty certain it’s now being rolled out globally.

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Facebook Messenger, MSN, PDF Expert, Nike+ Running, BBVA Compass, Oceanhouse Media deals, more

Updates:

FB-Messenger-IconFacebook Messenger version 2.1.1: On top of officially rolling out free VoIP calling to all U.S. users today, Facebook also updated its Messenger iOS app to add back the “Swipe to Archive” function and improve reliability:

What’s New in Version 2.1.1
– Added back Swipe to Archive
– Message send reliability improvements

MSN version 3.5:

Remove Turkey and Italy from region list.
Turkish and Italian are not supported by this new version.
Support for iOS 6.
Support iPhone 5 4-inch screen.

PDF Expert for iPad version 4.5:

New in PDF Expert 4.5
– Annotate images
– Full screen reading
– Performance improvements

BBVA Compass version 2.2.1:

This version adds Mobile Deposit® for eligible customers and enhanced graphics for iPhone™ 5 users. Additionally, version 2.2.1 is bilingual (English/Spanish), has full Bill Pay capabilities (add payees, select pay accounts, etc.), transaction details with check and transaction images, account transfers, and an enhanced branch/ATM locator.

Nike+ Running version 4.1.1:

We’re listening. This update includes bug fixes related to the most recent upgrade.

Books:

Oceanhouse Media is releasing two new books from its popular Little Critter and Five Little Monkeys series:

Just Going to the Dentist | 99 cent introductory price

Five Little Monkeys Play Hide and Seek | $1.99 introductory price

Deals:

TextExpander for iPad and iPhone | now only 99 cents (was $4.99)

Sparrow to charge for push notifications with yearly subscriptions

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The last we heard, iOS email client Sparrow said push notifications were coming “with or without” Apple. Apple has decided not to extend the privilege of VOIP apps to Sparrow, which, due to latency issues, are allowed to keep an open network connection in the background for processes like notifications. The alternative forces non-VOIP, third-party apps—such as Sparrow– to send push notifications from its own servers. The company initially said it would not implement push notifications due to security and cost concerns, but confirmed in a blog post today, while announcing Sparrow v1.2, that it will soon offer push through a yearly subscription:

 

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Vonage challenges Skype with new iPhone app featuring 30 percent cheaper VoIP calling

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VoIP startup Vonage is determined to continue challenging Skype and other VoIP incumbents, so today it issued a brand new iPhone app called “Vonage Mobile.” Replacing the previous iOS offerings Time to Call and Vonage Mobile application for Facebook, the new program boasts up to 30 percent lower international per-minute calling rates compared to rival Skype. This is based on per-minute rates to the top 50 countries called. Vonage Mobile offers as much as 70 percent lower rates compared to major wireless carriers.

Calling and texting other Vonage Mobile users or Vonage’s VoIP home or business customers is free and outgoing calls are placed using the user’s existing cell phone number. You do not need to be a Vonage phone service customer to use the app. Calling credits are available for in-app purchases through the iTunes billing system in increments of $4.99 and $9.99. Vonage Mobile is a free download for the iPhone and iPod touch in over a hundred countries. Our Android friends can also download the program on Android Market.


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