Slack introduces voice calls, brings group calls to paying users

Slack is officially moving away from being a messaging service to bringing in voice calls. All users, whether you use Windows or Mac apps, Google Chrome extension, or Android and iOS apps, have access to one-on-one voice calls. You should see a phone icon in the upper right portion of the channel header for those on the desktop, while those using the mobile app can “Start a call” in the app’s channel or DM drop-down menu.

If you want to make group calls in any channel or group DM, you need to be part of a paid team.  If someone from your team starts a group call, you’ll get a message prompting you to join the call. As mentioned before, calls also have the emoji response feature, which allows you to share what you think about the call or the topic you’re talking about.

Source: Slack

Tweetbot for Mac now comes with Topics

Tweetbot updates its Mac app to add its new Topic feature, which is designed to link related tweets together in a more cohesive and easier way. You can access the feature by tapping on the gear menu in the New Tweet screen. The good thing is your tweets are stored and need iCloud so you can jump from your Mac to your iPhone or iPad to continue tweeting.

Some of the other new features include Collections support, which lets you save tweets linked together in a topic; better quote preview in the compose window; remove play/pause button for video playback and instead have clicking on the video toggle play/pause; as well as a slew of bug fixes. The direct link to the Mac App store shows the other fixes for the app.

Source: MacRumors | Download: Mac App Store ($13.99)

Blink app lets you know when your Mac wakes up or sleeps

Curious about when someone uses your Mac when you aren’t around? The Blink app will alert you when your Mac wakes up and sleeps. It’s a simple app that’s easy to set up. You just need to pair your iPhone with your Mac via Bluetooth. After the initial pairing though, you don’t need to keep your Bluetooth on or have it within range to work. Every time your Mac wakes up or goes to sleep, you’ll receive a notification on your phone. You must know though that Blink only supports newer Macs that have Bluetooth Low Energy.

Source: Lifehacker | Download: iTunes App Store ($1.39) + Mac App Store (Free) 

Giphy Capture for Mac OS X lets you turn anything on your desktop into GIFs

Giphy introduced a new tool for Mac users that’ll make it easy for you to turn anything on your desktop into a GIF. It allows you to resize the capture area, add captions, or trim the GIF where you want to. You can use this for things like favorite parts of a video or even use it to make short how-to tutorial GIFs. Plus, the tool is completely free. You just need to head to the Mac Store to download it.

Source: Lifehacker | Download: Apple Mac Store (Free)