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Skype Launched Group Video Call Support for Android and iOS

February 20, 2016 By Angelina Stapp

You will now be able to initiate group video calls from your smarphone or tablet.

BEACON TRANSCRIPT – Ever wondered what happened to Microsoft’s promises regarding those belated updates for Skype? Well, it would seem that one of them arrived just in time to appease the angry users armed with pitchforks and lit torches. Skype launched group video call support for Android and iOS, and, according to Microsoft, with the new update, the application can support up to 25 users at the same time.

Lo, and behold the marvel that stands before us. Microsoft has decided that it’s high time to implement some long-awaited changes in the area of mobile platforms. As of now, Android and iOS users will be able to initiate video group calls. And according to the tech company, the new update is so awesome that it can support up to 25 users in the same video conference.

So, how does this system work? Basically like the one available for Windows, but patched up a bit in order to accommodate devices running Android and iOS. Once you will initiate a video call with someone, you will also be able to add other members to the video conference.

Once one or more members are added, the application will start scaling away the tiles containing the person or persons you are talking to. So, when using the maximum number of participants, Skype’s UI will look like a desktop littered with tens of icons.

And that’s not the only perk of the update. According to Microsoft’s statement, the users will be able to swap tiles and rearrange them as they see fit. For example, if you are talking about your best friend’s new haircut with your other friends, you can invite him or her to a conference and drag his video tile in the center of the screen.

If you want to refocus the group’s attention towards another person, simply change the arrangement of the tiles. Also, the host of the video conference is capable of locking in the arrangement of the tiles.

Skype launched group video call support for Android and iOS and is not aiming to implement other changes. Furthermore, the tech giant also pointed out that all video conferences are in 1080p quality and that the sound is now crystal clear thanks to the SILK Super Wide Band audio codec, a technology developed with the help of Intel.

And last, but not least, thanks to the new update, users who initiate group video calls will also be able to invite people who do not have a Skype account. Usually, these requests are handled through iMessage, a platform that circumvents the login process.

Photo credits:www.youtube.com

Apple might Face a Lawsuit over Error 53

February 9, 2016 By Helen Bradford

PCVA has begun to investigate the user’s allegations concerning error 53.

BEACON TRANSCRIPT – If would seem that things are not looking too good for the Cupertino-based tech giant. A law firm has recently begun to investigate the user’s allegations, according to which Apple is using error 53 in order to ensure that the user doesn’t use third-party services. Apple might face a lawsuit over error 53 if the allegations prove to be true.

A law company by the name of Phau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC or PCVA for short has publically announced that it has begun an investigation into the error 53 issue. According to the law firm, over the next few weeks, in will begin to systematically investigate all the claims coming from the users who experienced the error 53 issue after updating their handsets to the newest version of iOS.

For those who are unaware, error 53 is that kind of glitch that somehow manages to turn your regular iPhone handset into a paperweight. Basically, the problem resides in the phone’s inability to recognize if the components are authentic or not. The new line of phone employs a pairing technology between the Touch ID sensor and the Fingerprint device.

For example, if you have issues with your handset, it seems only natural to bring your iPhone to a service. And yes, most iPhone users prefer to take their phone to a third-party service because Apple’s repair prices are quite high. If the technician uses a different power cable or swaps the defective phone button with a new one, the phone will detect that one or more components are not genuine and will return the dreaded error.

Moreover, according to the ongoing investigations, there are a couple of iPhone 6 users who have reported that they’ve actually received the message without any warning after updating their phone the latest version of iOS.

As for Apple, the Cupertino-based tech giant declared that this system only ensures that the no one is capable of accessing the user’s private data. Technically speaking, anyone getting hold of a handset, can swap the fingerprint sensor with another one and gain access to the user’s data without even breaking a sweat. According to Apple, this mechanism prevents data theft, but, lately, it would seem that this security policy is doing more harm than good.

And now, Apple might face a lawsuit over error 53 if the allegations are proven. According to several users who experienced the dreaded error 53 issues, the tech giant is taking advantage of this issue, in order to use it as leverage. By doing so, the tech giant allegedly makes sure that the users will use Apple’s repair services instead of a third-party service.

Photo credits:www.pixabay.com

Samsung Rolls Out Ad Blocking Feature

February 2, 2016 By Jennifer Licata

The tech giant announced that Samsung browser will not support an ad blocking feature.

BEACON TRANSCRIPT – In an age filled with annoying pop-ups and surfing on the internet becomes and excruciating experience, the need for top-notch ad blocker is becoming direr. Apple understood the consequence of too many ads popping up the same page and along with its iOS 9 introduced an ad blocking support. Even Samsung rolls out ad blocking feature for their newest handsets.

Threading closely in the footsteps of tech giant Apple, which introduced ad blocking support for handsets running iOS 9.0, Samsung launched its own version of the software. According to Samsung, the ad blocking software package was developed by a South Korean tech company, and it will be compatible with the latest versions of the Samsung Browser.

So, if you are thinking of sprucing up you browser a bit, then you can’t use Samsung’s ad blocker outside its dedicated Internet browser. This also can be construed as a clever move from Samsung to catch up with other internet browsers which feature ad blocking support such as Google Chrome and Safari for iOS.

Despite the fact that the Samsung browser scored over 10 million downloads in Google Play, not counting the handset which came out of the box with a pre-installed browser, the little tyke still has some fighting to do in order to dethrone the king of all internet browsers.

According to a survey posted by Net Application, Chrome still remains the top choice when it comes to fast and reliable mobile internet browsers.

After the tech giant made the grand announcement, many developers have begun to design ad blockers which are compatible with Samsung’s own browser. If we take a closer gander in Samsung store, we can clearly see that the most popular ad blocker out there are Adblock Fast and Crystal, both of them being retrofitted to accommodate the Samsung browser’s newest version.

The tech giant mentioned that Android users running Lollypop or higher versions of the OS can now use the ad block feature with their Samsung browser.

So, Samsung rolls out ad blocking feature, and everybody out there is fearing that someday these kind of software will take away their livelihood. Well, it is true that such a software is unable to discriminate between the good ads and the bad ads. But, there is a little option out there which is called “exceptions”. By clicking on it, you could teach the software to not block the ads from a certain site.

The Crystal ad blocker is capable of blocking ads, malware and tracking technology while the Adblock Fast has several blocking filters and it is also compatible with other browsers such as Safari, Chrome and Opera.

Users have confirmed that by using an ad block feature, the browsing speed increases by 50 percent.

Photo credits:www.youtube.com

Microsoft Launched News Pro for iOS

January 27, 2016 By Troy G. Bennett

News Pro for iOS brings you the most relevant news by analyzing your Facebook or your LinkedIn profile.

BEACON TRANSCRIPT – Ever wondered what you can do to sort out the news popping in your news feed? Microsoft, the tech giant might have come up with a nifty solution this time that is guaranteed to show you only the most relevant news out there. Microsoft launched News Pro for iOS, an application that can show you relevant news based on your occupation.

For those working in the news business, variety is the key to success. But for those who just want to peruse through the latest news, while sipping their morning cup of Joe, it is very difficult to choose between news that are relevant and news that pose no interest.

Microsoft, in its endeavor to promote its products outside the conventional platforms, has just released a new type of news application that can bring you only the most relevant news out there by analyzing your LinkedIn or your Facebook profile.

So, how this work? Let’s say that you’re in the IT business. Wouldn’t it be nice once you open the news feed page to see only articles and news about new IT products or the latest research in the IT industry? It would, but, unfortunately, not many news-oriented applications have this kind of option.

Of course, you can set multiple filters in order to sort out any irrelevant news, but you still end up reading about the latest trend in cancer treatment, even though you’ve been searching for something like the Pentium Bay Trail or something.

Well, with Microsoft’s latest application, there’s no need to apply news filter in order to gain access only to the most relevant news. All that you have to do is head on over to the iOS store and download the News Pro application.

Fire up the application and in a couple of seconds, the app will ask you to sign-in using either your LinkedIn account or your Facebook account. If you don’t have a LinkedIn or a Facebook account, then it’s probably a good idea to create one, because the application really needs one in order to get to know you better.

After you sign-in, the application will take a few minutes in order to analyze your preferences and then you’re good to go. The app will remember these setting and every time you’ll open News Pro, it will only show you the news closer to your line of work.

Microsoft launched News Pro for iOS but the application is only available in the United States. If you’re living outside of the US, you can always change your regional settings in order to make the application work.

Photo credits:www.pixabay.com

Exploding Kittens Tops Cards against Humanity

January 23, 2016 By Jennifer Licata

Ruin your friendships and bash your friends around with Exploding Kittens.

BEACON TRANSCRIPT – A whole new card game has taken the Internet by assault, and it would seem that it has managed to exceed all expectations. In terms of card games, Exploding Kittens tops Cards against Humanity, making it the most successful and twisted game on the web.

Initially, Exploding Kittens came out in the form of a table card game. Basically, you have a heap load of cards, filled with pictures of cute and fuzzy kittens. Like in Cards against Humanity, players exchanged cards, which have special properties.

Seeing that the game is sprouting wings, the developers decided that it’s high time the game received a digital version. And so, with a bit of magic and a Kickstarter campaign, the developers managed to release the first mobile version of the game.

Presently, the game can only be run on Apple’s iOS, but the developers promised us that an Android and even a PC version is on the way. In terms of crowd funding, it would seem that the game managed to top off some of the other games created using funds from gamers.

According to an online report, soon after the developers started the Kickstarter campaign, they’ve managed to raise, in just a few months, no less than 8.7 million dollars, making Exploding Kittens the fourth most successful online game entirely funded by gamers.

Exploding Kittens tops Cards against Humanity in terms of gameplay, and humor. And it seems that the developers of the game even included a little “thank you” inside the application.

As of now, it seems that Exploding Kittens has managed to make it to the top, meaning that the game is now considered the number one game in the paid apps section.

The game can be bought from Apple’s online store for a modest fee of 2 bucks. Moreover, those who bought the game are entitled to receive all the game’s future add-ons for free (talking about gratitude!).

Exploding Kittens has a 2.9-star rating online, and the score is sure to rise if the developers manage to solve certain gaming issues. According to the feedbacks, it would seem that you can’t play the game over the web.

In order to play the game with your friends, they must have a copy of the game installed on their devices. Moreover, a session can only be establish using a local ad-hoc wi-fi network or over Bluetooth. The developers are still working to fix the issue, but they’ve declared that Exploding Kittens is the kind of game you would want to play with your friends, not with a random stranger.

Take a look at this clip to see the game in action.

Photo credits:www.wikipedia.org

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