Slack update brings call capability to mobile beta apps

Android and iOS beta users of Slack are getting access to calls using their devices. Calls, the Slack term for this feature, has been available for desktop users who activated the feature since last month. Now, to use it on your mobile app, you just need to open an individual or group direct message and then tap on the small arrow icon to show the menu. Near the end of the menu there’s a feature that says “Call (user).” The feature has been made available since late last week.

Source: The Next Web

Report claims Google working on new messaging service to take on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger

If you think Google already has one in the form of Hangouts, well it would seem Google has different plans. According to the Wall Street Journal, Google is reportedly developing a new messaging service to take on the likes of WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Skype. What would set it apart is it would supposedly have artificial intelligence and chatbot technology incorporated into it. This will let users ask questions from within the app as well as receive answers from the web. There is no official word on this report yet so we have to wait for confirmation, if there is any.

Source: Wall Street Journal | Via: Droid Life

Yahoo Livetext will be up for download July 30th

After making its appearance on the Hong Kong App Store, Yahoo’s Livetext is finally heading this way starting tomorrow, July 30^th. What is Livetext, you ask? It’s Yahoo’s new video text app that lets you send texts with videos. The catch? It doesn’t have any sound. Basically, it’s like having people, or rather the person you’re talking to, see you while you text. We’re still not quite sure if this’ll catch on. But if you’re interested in trying this out, the app will be available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store tomorrow. It’s launching here in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., France, and Germany. As mentioned, the app is already available in Hong Kong. It’s also already available in Taiwan and Ireland.

Source: MacWorld

Yahoo debuts Livetext, ‘video messenger’ app

With the countless messaging apps out on the market, it takes a unique concept to get someone to use your app. What Yahoo has in their stable is a pretty unique one. The company released a new messaging app on iOS on the Hong Kong App Store called “Yahoo Livetext”. What the app offers is instead of exchanging texts and photos, you share “live video texting.” This video messenger shows you a live video of your friend texting but without the audio. This is said to make the conversation a bit more natural since you get to see the person you’re talking to. However, the app only works one-on-one, no group chats here.

It’s available in over 20 languages and will remain a free app. You can add friends through your contacts or by looking for their Livetext IDs. The app works with Apple devices running iOS 8.0 or later and it’s been optimized for iPhone 5, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus. If this makes its way here, will you be trying this out?

Source: SlashGear