Skype has unveiled a new Skype for Android app in a bid to rival Apple’s FaceTime.
The new app, which is compatible with Android phones, iPhones, Mac computers, Microsoft Windows PCs and televisions, will allow Android smartphone users to make free video calls over a Wi-Fi connection to any other device. Consumers will need an Android device running on Version 2.3 and above with a front-facing camera to have a two-way video call on their device.
Skype's product and marketing chief Neil Stevens said: ‘We are committed to bringing Skype video calling to as many platforms as possible.’
The move comes just months after software giant Microsoft purchased the company for $8.5bn (£5.2bn) in May this year.
The new venture will give Microsoft a foothold in the video conferencing market and also help promote its Windows Phone smartphone platform, which it is merging with Nokia.
Skype had an average of 145 million connected users per month in Q4 of 2010 alone.
The Android handsets that currently support Skype video calling are the HTC Desire S, Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo, Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro and the Google Nexus S.
HTC Sensation dual core Android smartphone
Twin-engined talker
HTC’s latest high-ender is the first dual core device from the Taiwanese company and offers a huge screen, improved 8Mp camera, Android 2.3 Gingerbread and the latest HTC Sense user interface. The HTC Sensation is available from Vodafone only to begin with though, and the big red one isn’t saying for how long…
Big impression: HTC's Sensation
Even from a distance and with your eyes half closed, the Sensation is clearly an HTC handset, due in no small part to the fact that it has the same aluminium unibody casing that we’ve seen previously on the Desire S and others. It’s bigger than most though, and it will fill a pocket at 126 x 65 x 11mm though the gently curving sides help to lessen the bulkiness of this 148g handset.
Next-generation iPhone will have a faster processor with production starting in July or August
Apple's next-generation iPhone will have a faster processor and will begin shipping in September, according to three people with direct knowledge of the company's supply chain.
The production of the new iPhone will start in July or August and the smartphone will look largely similar to the iPhone 4, one of the sources told Reuters.
The iPhone – introduced in 2007 with the touchscreen, on-demand application template now adopted by its rivals – remains the gold standard in the booming smartphone market.
Reports on the timeline of the new iPhone launch vary, though it is largely expected that Apple will likely refresh its iPhone 4 later this year. It was introduced in June 2010 by chief executive Steve Jobs and shipped in the same month.
Surplus stock which we hope to continue adding to over the course of time has now been added to our Shop section of the Mobile Fun Store. Grab yourself a bargain – we have a range of Mobile phones, Laptops, Net Books and Mobile phone accessories now available.
This is a selection of Grade A surplus stock, returned items and item with damaged packaging but all in perfect working order.
Mobile network T-Mobile has revealed that it will be selling the HTC Wildfire smartphone in its UK stores from mid-June.
The firm said that the Android handset will go on sale in its stores on the 14th of June at tariffs starting at £20 per month for a two year contract. HTC had stated that the phone would be available in the thrid quarter, meaning from July at the earliest.The Wildfire joins T-Mobile's range of Android phones and is the first to include the App Sharing software, which is designed to let users share their applications with their friends.
Continuing the friend theme, it is also something of a social notworking handset and comes pre-loaded with Facebook, Twitter and Flickr apps.Information from these applications can be collated into a Friend Stream, which puts everything your contacts have done into one place.
Some may find this a useful tool, while others will appreciate the fact that since it is all in one place it will be a whole lot easier to ignore.Nicola Shenton, head of handset and device marketing at T-Mobile UK said, "The HTC Wildfire is a great addition to our Android portfolio, offering customers an affordable way to get their hands on an Android-based smartphone."The Wildfire has a 3.2-inch touchscreen, a 5 megapixel camera, Active Synch for working with web and personal email, plus HSDPA for high-speed web browsing.
More information can be found about the HTC Wildfire in our coming soon section or click here.
