Google, Skype offers free international calls to France via Hangouts

In a short announcement on Google’s official Twitter account, the company is making international calls to France via Hangout free following the deadly terrorist attacks in the country yesterday. So, if you want to reach a loved one based in Paris, you can do so through Google Hangouts app on Android, iOS, and the web. Google didn’t specify how long this will last and which countries the feature is available in though.

If you would rather use Skype, Microsoft is also waiving fees for its VOIP service for the “next few days.” This includes all domestic and international calls to landlines and mobile phones. We hope you stay safe and our hearts are with you.

Source: Gizmodo + Android Authority

Join a Skype conversation right from a direct link

Here's a convenient feature we hope Microsoft's Skype brings to our shores soon: join chats right from a direct link. It doesn't even require the people you invite to have a Skype account. All you need to do is send a link to someone, say, through Facebook Messenger and have them join your current chat session on Skype. They don't even need to have the app installed because there's Skype for Web. The guests can join video conversations, send instant messages, and make voice calls. Those who do have Skype accounts and the mobile app can do so through links on Android and iOS. It's now available for users in the US and the UK but will be coming to other countries in the next couple of weeks. Skype also plans to introduce then the ability to share direct links from the mobile apps but they won't give a timeline yet when that will happen.

Source: SlashGear

Skype adds Split View support for iOS app

Skype is taking advantage of some of the new iOS features with its latest update. iPad users, at least those who use last year’s iPad Air 2 and those getting the iPad Mini 4 and iPad Pro, can use the Split View feature with the Skype app. You can have the app run side-by-side with another app, making it easier to copy and paste content to a chat you’re having. It can also use Slide Over feature, which is rather similar to Split View but it has one app occupying larger screen real estate on the left and another takes up smaller space on the screen.

iPhone users won’t be able to take advantage of these features. But you can now reply to Skype notifications right from the lock screen. You can start a Skype chat from the Spotlight screen and even make calls from there by looking up a contact.

Source: Skype | Via: CNET | Download: iPhone - iTunes App Store (Free) + iPad – iTunes App Store (Free)

Skype introduces Android Wear support

Microsoft’s messaging service Skype is coming to your Android Wear-donning wrist. The latest app update now supports Google’s wearable platform. You can read and reply to messages right from it either by using pre-written responses or by using the voice-to-text feature. You can even draw emojis on the watchface and that app will recognize those. You can take calls from it but, of course, this’ll push it back to your phone.

Skype names some Android Wear watches that the messenger will work with including Moto 360, Huawei Watch, LG Watch Urbane, and ASUS ZenWatch. You can try it out with the other smartwatches you have though, they might be able to work since Skype didn’t say any limitations in its announcement post.

Source: Skype | Via: Engadget