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Microsoft upgrades Xbox Live But Rumored Skype Integration is False

December 5, 2011

The upcoming Metro update to Microsoft’s Xbox, will start to be pushed down to your Xbox console some time this week, but alas it doesn't appear to contain the rumored Skype integration, which several rumors hinted at a Fall release. Well it's winter and the latest release doesn't appear to contain Skype integration with Xbox live. At least that is my assumption from reading the various news articles on the latest Xbox Dashboard, including Microsoft's official announcement, which make no mention of any Skype integration.

Posted in Home Entertainment, Microsoft, Skype, TMCnet, Video Games & Gaming, Video Hardware & Software, VoIP

Blue Jeans Networks Makes Skype & Microsoft Lync Interoperate

November 11, 2011

I've written about and reviewed Blue Jeans Network's multipoint telepresence solution, which bridges H.323 and SIP end-points, PSTN — and even Skype, with the goal of allowing users to connect everything from high-end video telepresence systems like Tandberg/Cisco and Lifesize to web cams running Skype to desktop IP videophones from Polycom, Grandstream, Cisco, and others. I mentioned back in May they were working on adding Microsoft Lync support. Well, now they have it.

According to a TMCnet article, it is showcasing “the industry’s first video conferencing interoperability between Skype and Microsoft Lync” at The Enterprise 2.0 Conference held at Santa Clara, California, November 14-17.

The new Blue Jeans individual plans include: $69 per month individual plan for 500 minutes (less than 14 cents per minute), $99 per month individual plan for 1,000 minutes (less than 10 cents per minute), and $199 per month individual plan for unlimited minutes (as little as 1 cent per minute).

I'll have to review it again and test the Microsoft Lync to Skype interoperability. Good stuff!

Posted in Lync, Microsoft, SIP, Skype, TMCnet, Unified Communications, VoIP

iMainGo XP Portable Stereo Speaker & Case for iPad

November 7, 2011

Portable Sound Labs has a new product called the iMainGo XP (model: 11BWB04), which is a portable stereo speaker for the iPad but also doubles as a protective case. It works on both the iPad 1 and iPad 2. It sports a rechargeable lithium ion battery, so it doesn't suck the power from the iPad and delivers at least six hours of playtime between charges. What's nice is that you can play audio and view your iPad without removing it form your protective iMainGo case.

Posted in Accessories, Apple, Computer Hardware, Gadgets, Home Entertainment, Skype, Tablets, VoIP

LOREX Live Connect Wireless Skype Home Surveillance Review

October 25, 2011

The LOREX Technology Live Connect LW2031 Series is a cool Skype-powered home surveillance system sporting night vision (via IR LEDs) and full color H.264 video. It can be used both for home surveillance, but also as a baby monitor due to its night vision and its portable handheld monitor sporting a color 2.4" LCD. It seemed like an interesting Skype product so I had LOREX send me a LW2031 to review.

Installation
Installing this was pretty straightforward. Two of the three devices - camera & handheld monitor use mini-USB power adapters, which are included.

Posted in Accessories, Gadgets, Skype, TMCnet, Video Conferencing, VoIP, Wireless

It's Official - Skype Now Part of Microsoft!

October 14, 2011

Both the U.S. and Europe anti-trust authorities approved the acquisition in recent days. Now it is official - Skype is officially now part of Microsoft with the closing of the $8.5 billion acquisition.

On October 13, Skype became an official Microsoft division, with the closing of the Microsoft acquisition of the company. Skype CEO Tony Bates will assume the title of president of the Skype Division of Microsoft immediately, reporting directly to Microsoft's Steve Ballmer. Good luck with that Tony! Though I hear he's an easier boss than Steve Jobs was.

Posted in Skype, VoIP, Wireless

Rebtel Mobile VoIP app hops between 3G and WiFi/data Networks

October 14, 2011

Rebtel just launched version 2.0 of its free iPhone app, which allows users to make and receive free international calls using WiFi, 3G, or local minutes. TechCrunch discusses Rebtels's "new proprietary technology called “KeepTalking”, which allows users to transition (mid-call, mind you) from WiFi/3G to local minutes." VentureBeat also writes about them with this headline: "Rebtel’s Voice-over-IP app hops between data/voice networks, a first". Actually, they're not the first. Back in 2010 at ITEXPO Counterpath's Todd Carothers demo'ed switching a 3G voice call automatically to WiFi and a VoIP call to the cellular network.

Posted in Accessories, Android, Apple, Gadgets, Google, SIP, Skype, TMCnet, VoIP, Wireless

Andrea SuperBeam Buds Headset review

October 11, 2011

We all have come to love our stereo headsets featuring separate audio channels for both the left and right ear, but what about dual or stereo microphones? If stereo speakers makes 'sounds' better for you, why can't stereo microphones make 'sounds' better for the remote party on Skype or a 3rd party called via your mobile phone?

Well, Andrea believe their SuperBeam Buds answers that question. Featuring a unique boom-less design, each of the two earbuds has a microphone built-in enabling true binaural surround sound recordings. These two mics (one at each ear) leverage Andrea's patented Adaptive Beam Forming to cancel unwanted background noise without the need for a clunky boom mic stretching across your cheek to your lips.

The SuperBeam buds also somes with a HD USB-based sound card, which bypasses a computer's lower-grade sound card for better fidelity and gain.

Posted in Accessories, Gadgets, Headsets, Reviews, Skype, VoIP, Wireless

Skype 2.5 for Android Adds More Video Support

September 29, 2011

Today, Skype announced Skype 2.5 for Android added "white listing" video support for an additional 14 Android devices, bringing the total to 41 Android devices that support video. It is now available on several Motorola devices including the Atrix or Xoom.

It also adds some video improvements. You can now switch between portrait and landscape mode during video calls, and zoom in with a double tap on the screen. As with the recent Apple iOS release, this release adds advertising to non-paying Skype customers.

You can download the updated Skype for Android app from the Android Market or Skype.com/m using your Android phone's browser.

Read more.

Posted in Android, Google, Skype, Unified Communications, Video Conferencing, VoIP, Wireless

Amazon Kindle Fire - Hot or Not?

September 28, 2011

The Amazon Kindle Fire 7-inch tablet aims to take on the Apple iPad, but will the Fire catch fire with consumers? Amazon has loyal Kindle e-reader users, but part of its draw is the e-ink screen which works in direct sunlight for beach book reading. It's the one-up Amazon had over the iPad which doesn't do so well in direct sunlight.

The new Kindle Fire is a color screen and not e-ink, so it loses that advantage. Further, the new Kindle Fire doesn't have a camera!

Posted in Android, Apple, Gadgets, Google, Home Entertainment, PDAs & Handhelds, Skype, TMCnet, Tablets, Unified Communications, Video Hardware & Software, VoIP

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