Microsoft and Skype Become One, Google Hangouts Lags - http://clapway.com/2016/01/22/microsoft-and-skype-become-one-google-hangouts-lags-123/

Microsoft gets on in on Google Hangouts by updating Skype so that it can open Microsoft Office documents straight from the application. The merge with Microsoft Office also allows users to schedule calls.

Skype Gets Updated In an Attempt to Compete with Google Hangouts

Google Hangouts and Gchat are a very predominantly used platform for businesses. This is because Google has it all pretty much in one place – Hangouts, Docs, Sheets and everything else that’s part of Google Drive and Google Apps for Work. However, the desktop/laptop platform and mobile app are not nearly as popular as Skype. Microsoft is getting in on the action by bringing in some of the Microsoft Office suite to Skype and give people one more reason to get and use Skype on mobile.

Microsoft Gets Busy With Productivity

According to the official announcement, Skype is launching a few new features to make productivity easier and more accessible. Now users can schedule calls on a calendar that can sync to Outlook. Users can even schedule calls from Outlook. In addition, users that use the Microsoft Office suite can now easily open Excel spreadsheets from Skype. They can also open Word documents and Powerpoint presentations to leaf through when they are sent through a chat or group chat. Customers will be able to seamlessly open the Office apps from Skype as well.

Updates for iOS and Windows Phone Are Yet to Be Announced

Right now, the update is only out for Android users. There has been no announcement on when this update will roll out to iOS or Windows Phone, but it could be sooner than people expect. Attracting Windows users is a priority for the company since Microsoft is their parent company. The company is still enhancing the updates for Windows 10 in order to access the Windows Phone platform and optimize it.

Will The Platform Lose Out to Google Hangouts?

Since Skype is the only widespread video calling app on mobile, it’ll take a few punches for Google Hangouts to catch up. If the Google Hangout mobile app gets upgraded in a similar scale, then we’ll see an interesting competition between the two platforms.

Microsoft and Skype Become One, Google Hangouts Lags

3 Things You Didn"t know about Skype, Google Hangouts and Facebook Messenger - http://clapway.com/2016/01/21/3-things-you-didnt-know-about-skype-google-hangouts-and-facebook-messenger/

Google Hangouts, Skype, and Facebook Messenger are all very well known services. However, there may be some features on these services that you did not know about. The following are just three aspects that you might not have known about:

FEATURE 1: FREE OF CHARGE

Now, many people are probably aware that Google Hangouts allows users to talk, and call, users without paying. However, Facebook Messenger also allows you to partake in free video calls. This was an update that Facebook released, and if you did not know about this then now you do! Also, Skype made communication free before many others did. Users can set up a voicemail with their Skype account, for only a few dollars and month, and then it is free for people to reach you with it.

FEATURE 2: THE ABILITY TO MUTE

Let’s face it, sometimes we get the urge to want to mute someone. Not only this but the ability to mute annoying noises with each service is sometimes necessary. Muting a video call in Skype is pretty evident, but Facebook Messenger actually allows users to mute a conversation for up to a full day. Google Hangouts also does something similar, as they allow users to mute notification sounds. The ability to mute can make the overall experience of these services much better.

FEATURE 3: BLOCKING

Many people are simply not aware of the fact that you can block someone in Facebook Messenger and Google Hangouts. When users do this, they prevent the person they are blocking from contacting them in any way. Also, speaking of blocking, Skype has actually seen some industries and countries ban it. Also, network administrators have tread lightly with Skype due to certain aspects. One of those aspects is the security concerns of the software, and the other is the bandwidth problem.

3 Things You Didn"t know about Skype, Google Hangouts and Facebook Messenger

WhatsApp Goes Business, Skype and WeChat Lag Behind - http://clapway.com/2016/01/19/whatsapp-goes-business-skype-and-messenger-lag-behind-123/

WhatsApp is bringing in some big changes. Most notably, the platform is incorporating business into the platform while still remaining 100% ad-free. This was only possible because of the autonomy that Mark Zuckerberg has granted the platform with for the first few years after making the acquisition.

WhatsApp Goes Where Skype and WeChat Have Never Gone Before

The messaging platform is days away from reaching 1 billion users. That’s about one-seventh of the entire world’s population. The platform announced that it was going to be 100% free. Previously, the platform charged 99 cents to users in certain regions. This fee guaranteed them free use for the first year.

After Facebook acquired WhatsApp for a pretty 19 billion, the fee was only in place for regions where mobile payments were popular, and where people were more inclined to pay for services. It was mainly in the United States and the United Kingdom up until 2014. With this kind of user base and help from Facebook, WhatsApp has no more need to charge customers for using their services.

Facebook Subsidiary Follows its Parent

The biggest announcement made by the firm is that they’re planning to expand big time. Not by catering to a wider audience, but by bringing in businesses. This is expected since Facebook has made quite a few moves in the same direction. As a good subsidiary, WhatsApp is bringing in businesses to change the way purchases can be made from a smartphone.

One Hundred Percent Ad and Spam Free

There are already some businesses that can form links to users. People can WhatsApp the BBC with news tips, or message certain restaurants in Hong Kong. The platform’s goal is to make it possible for users to communicate with banks or airlines directly from WhatsApp. Unlike other platforms that may offer similar services, WhatsApp wants to implement these features without third-party ads and spam.

The platform will surely be bringing in some changes to WhatsApp itself in order to cater to businesses. After all, businesses need more than what it offers right now. They need analytics, bots that send mass texts and the ability to send mass texts. Other platforms like WeChat certainly offer this, but they feature ads.

WhatsApp vs WeChat vs Skype

In this respect, Skype is not used on mobile as often as it is used on a desktop. This is at least in regards to business. WeChat offers significant competition, but it features third party ads and spam, which is why many people have stopped using the services.

WhatsApp has great headwind. The platform could bring in some great positive changes by implementing these features. However, it must be optimized before bringing big businesses in.

WhatsApp Goes Business, Skype and WeChat Lag Behind

Skype One Ups Facetime and Google Hangouts with New Update - http://clapway.com/2016/01/13/skype-one-ups-facetime-and-google-hangouts-with-this-new-update-123/

Skype is celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2016, and they’ve brought in an update that will out Google Hangouts and Facetime to shame. People can now group video call for free on iPhones, iPads, Android devices and Windows 10 devices.

Group Video Had Only Been Available for Mac and PC

Even though the update rolled out for desktop versions of the application, this is the first time it is available for mobile, and for free. According to the announcements, mobile group video calling will be gradually rolling out to their hundreds of millions of mobile users in the next few weeks.

There was no exact launch date specified. However, the platform will provide users with a pre-registration form for those who want early access to the update. Said form only requires user’s emails, their username, location and type of device. Upon registration, the platform will send users an email to set up the update for their mobile device. The announcement did not specify if the update will require beta software installation or if the update will be made in-app.

Skype Through the Years

Skype has become a household name. It has nearly completely replaced the term ‘video calling’ and become a verb of itself. The platform has more than 750 million mobile users and has seen 10x grown since 2014.

The Platform is Killing Google Hangouts, Chat and FaceTime

The platform has also seen many positive changes for accessibility. It has enabled video messaging, real-time speech and instant message translation. Not Facetime nor Google Hangouts have any of these features. Both platforms seem very lacking compared to Skype. Now that multiple group video calling is free and available on mobile, it might be the end FaceTime. A link can now bring you into Skype communications, even if you don’t have an account. Over the past decade, Skype says it has generated nearly 2 trillion minutes of free Skype calls worldwide. With the rollout of group calls on mobile, that figure will certainly continue to grow.

The service has hosted over 2 trillion of free Skype calls globally in the past ten years, and this number will keep growing. Google Hangouts and Chat aren’t nearly as popular as Skype, and it shares one thing in common with FaceTime. These services are both usually used just for convenience. Undoubtedly, it’s time to step it up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cLOijHs-rk

Skype One Ups Facetime and Google Hangouts with New Update

Seven Facts That make Google Hangouts Better Than Microsoft Skype - http://clapway.com/2016/01/12/seven-facts-that-make-google-hangouts-better-than-microsoft-skype/

Both Google Hangouts and Skype offer users a good platform for communication. However, here are seven reasons why Google Hangouts is better than Skype from Microsoft.

There Are 7 facts That Make Google Hangouts better than Microsoft Skype

REASON 1: GROUP VIDEO

Sometimes meetings need to take place over the internet. Well, Google Hangouts makes this easy as they offer up to 10 people communicating on one feed for free. However, while Skype offers up to 25 people in one feed, it must be paid for.

REASON 2: BANDWIDTH

Microsoft has been known to have bandwidth issues with Skype. At times, it can get downright ridiculous, but Hangouts does not have these issues. Not only this but they also offer a feature that allows users to reduce the bandwidth.

REASON 3: CALLS ARE FREE

While both of these platforms offer phone calls, Google Hangouts does not charge their users for it. However, Microsoft requires their users to pay a certain amount per minute.

REASON 4: UBERCONFERENCE

Google Hangouts is integrated into something that Skype is not and that is Uberconference. This allows users, who use this platform, to call a conference number and be added to the video participants.

REASON 5: IT’S FREE

Let’s be honest for a second, Skype can be used without paying for it. However, there are limitations if users want to do that. This is not the case with Hangouts as all of the features are free. This is quite apparent with video conferencing with more than one person.

REASON 6: SCREENSHARING

Screensharing is yet another feature that both of these platforms can achieve. However, it is much easier to achieve in Google Hangouts. Not only this but it can be set up before you even call somebody.

REASON 7: GOOGLE DOCS

This one is big for conversations that include needing to edit a document. Google Docs allows any users to edit documents in real-time. You will not find this ability with Skype.

Seven Facts That make Google Hangouts Better Than Microsoft Skype

Yahoo Expects to Beat Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Skype - http://clapway.com/2015/12/03/yahoo-expects-to-beat-facebook-messenger-whatsapp-and-skype/

Yahoo seems bound and determined to keep up with the most popular messaging apps in the world. Yahoo has recently released their newest messaging app. The senior vice president, Jeff Bonforte, also seems pretty confident that users will like it more than other messaging apps.

YAHOO MAKES THEIR NEW MESSAGING APP FASTER

The company has made no bones about the fact that the main aspect they were focusing on was speed. Bonforte mentions how users want services that allow them to connect with people quickly and easily. Bonforte talks about the fact that users will be able to upload images in groups. Basically, users do not have to upload images one after another. Instead, they can upload dozens of images at once. On top of this, Bonforte mentioned how the overall speed of messaging and sending photos has improved. He said they did a test and it took less than a second for the photo/message to be received by another user. Bonforte also stated that users will get access to GIF’s insanely quickly as they will be available to users within seconds.

YAHOO ALSO ADDS UNSEND FEATURE

Does anybody send a message or photo without thinking about the consequences? Or has anybody ever sent one of these things on accident? Well, Bonforte explained that they will allow users to delete their sent message or photo in their messaging app. He also said it does not matter how long it has been up, it can be erased at any time. Sometimes people say stuff without thinking. There are also times when people accidentally hit send when they do not want to. Adding this feature will add a backup plan just in case this happens.

WILL YAHOO MESSENGER NOW BE BETTER THAN FACEBOOK, WHATSAPP, AND SKYPE?

Just like with any comparison of products, it is mostly a matter of opinion. However, Bonforte has shown some confidence that users are going to eat this up. He has not officially stated that it will, but he has hovered around the idea. If Yahoo Messenger is indeed faster than all the others, then that is a big factor in determining which app is better.

Yahoo Expects to Beat Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Skype

Microsoft is Bound To Destroy Apple - http://clapway.com/2015/12/01/microsoft-is-bound-to-destroy-apple123/

Microsoft seems bound and determined to officially destroy the company that is known as Apple. No, they are not intending to blow Apple up or cause a nuclear war with them, but they seem like they are going to let their products do the talking for them. They are on a role and that role should only get bigger after their latest news of releasing a new Skype and smart headsets.

APPLE HAS A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO KEEP UP WITH MICROSOFT

Microsoft just never seems to let up as they have announced that they are creating their smart headsets that they say are met to help the blind find their way around the world. They state that their smart headsets are the first of its kind and with Cortana set to replace Siri, they could run away from Apple. They have also stated that Cortana can do anything Siri can do, but more. Everything from scheduling appointments to tracking flights can be done with Cortana, according to Microsoft. They also announced that they are releasing an upgrade to Skype. They state that Skype for business is bundled with Office 365 and allows virtual meetings with as many as 10,000 people. Adding on to all of this is the fact that there Windows 10 operating system is still fresh on the market. All of this software and hardware could have them setting up to destroy Apple.

IS APPLE DOOMED BY MICROSOFT

These companies are two of the biggest tech companies in the world. This is due to popularity and success. According to Wikipedia, Apple has actually made a lot more money than Microsoft has over the years, but 2016 may be a different story with what Microsoft has in store. Apple will no doubt respond as they always do to companies releasing the top of the line devices. However, Microsoft has as impressive of a line-up as anybody does right now. It will be interesting to see which one of these companies gets the upper hand on the other in the coming months.

Microsoft is Bound To Destroy Apple

Google Hangouts is Head to Head with Skype - http://clapway.com/2015/11/20/google-hangouts-is-head-to-head-with-skype123/

Google Hangouts Now Accessible to Non-Gmail Account Holders!

It looks like Google is catching up to Skype after their latest update, and is now introducing access to Google Hangouts via a link. The Web giant on Wednesday announced that you can join a Hangout even if you don’t have a Google account. The move comes after Skype added the exact same functionality last month.

Joining Google Hangouts is As Easy as Getting into a Public Google Doc

Google for Work Product Manager Patrick Wynn wrote in a blog article that joining Google Hangouts is now as easy as walking into a conference room. There’s no need for a Google account or registration processes, just a link.

You could welcome outside guests to Google Hangouts using Google Calendar. When the recipient obtains your invite, they just should click the web link in the event summary, fill in their name, and that’s that – they’re in. For included security, you’ll obtain a prompt to approve or deny their entry into the Hangout.

This is Just a Catch-Up to Skype

Skype already introduced this function last week. The Microsoft-owned firm additionally just recently presented the capability for individuals to invite anyone to join a Skype conversation by sharing a unique web link through e-mail, social media, or message handles.

Google just recently released a standalone Google Hangouts site where you can talk to your heart’s content right from your internet browser, without opening Gmail or Google+.

Google Hangouts is Head to Head with Skype

Skype Reaches the Disabled Community - http://clapway.com/2015/11/20/skype-reaches-the-disabled-community123/

Skype For the Deaf

Skype has been making communication easier for the hard of hearing for a long time, and with Facebook’s AI also integrating disabled communities into the world of social networking and Skype Translator, the disabled community can blend in more seamlessly than ever. Skype Translator can now translate sign language to text.

This Service is Making A Real Change

Aside from translating spoken language, Skype Translator is also able to translate sign language to text. Actually, one of the developers of Skype Translator is deaf himself. Ted Hart uses sign language at home, but talking on the phone and over any other device is much harder, which is why he became a part of the developing team of Skype Translator.

Thanks to his work, the hard of hearing can communicate with their loved ones with their phones at the tap of a button. Skype can both read the lips of the speaker and interpret their words as text.

Free and Growing

While apps like FaceTime also ease communication between people who are hard of hearing and their loved ones, but Skype allows for multi-way calling, and even allows communication to military members in war zones. The only drawback is that there is a charge for things like calling landlines or mobile numbers.

Skype Reaches the Disabled Community

Skype Gets One Up on FaceTime - http://clapway.com/2015/11/19/skype-gets-one-up-on-facetime123/

Skype is bringing video calling and messaging something brand new: it can now save video messages. Skype, owned by Microsoft, has a few other new features, but most notably, it’s able to do something that FaceTime can’t yet, in addition to three-way calling and a more complex layout.

Skype Saves Video Messages, But Only on Android

If not to further spite FaceTime, the update has only rolled out on the Android version of the app. Skype users on Android can even tap on video messages and save them to their photo libraries. The update also allows Android customers to manage their conversations differently. They can tap onto their Recent tab and customize whether they’d like to mark them as read, delete notifications or mute conversations.

Android Skype customers can also share pictures from their photo rolls in conversations. It also has improved search tools, now able to search for words in conversations and not just for people and contact numbers.

No Word on Skype Update for iOS

There’s no word on when the update will roll out for Mac and iOS users, but Android users can access it via the Google Play Store. The file size for the 6.11 update varies from device to device.

Skype Gets One Up on FaceTime

God Bless Microsoft and Google - http://clapway.com/2015/11/16/god-bless-microsoft-and-google123/

Microsoft and Google: Skype and Hangouts Will Be Free of International Charges for A Few Days

Microsoft and Google have made Skype calls and Google Hangout calls free for the next few days to honor the Paris attacks and help loved ones connect through their services. Much like Facebook has implemented the safety check tool to assert that users are safe and alert their loved ones, Microsoft and Google are doing their part to ensure that everyone suffering in Paris, can connect with their loved ones and mourn together.

Microsoft and Google: Skype and Hangout Will Help People Stay in Touch

Skype declared in a blogpost that in light of the chaotic events in Paris, the company will do its best to help families, colleagues and friends stay in touch. They immediately put into effect to make all international and domestic calls to landlines and mobiles in France will be free of charge, probably through the three days French President Hollande declared days of mourning for the country.

On the other hand, Google+ made a blog post of their own, where they declared that all calls made to France via Hangouts will be free of international charges. Calls can be made from anywhere in the world, judging by their statement.

Like Facebook, Microsoft and Google Made no Moves for Beirut or Baghdad

Microsoft and Google haven’t made any announcements in regards to the November 13 attacks on Beirut or Baghdad, which Facebook took a few hits for. This could constitute as bias in regards to the standing of the company and the scale of the attacks, but since there hasn’t been any direct backlash or response from Microsoft and Google, it’s not clear if they received as much negative feedback as Facebook.

God Bless Microsoft and Google

#LiveText is #Yahoo"s new answer to #better #connection in the #DigitalAge - http://clapway.com/2015/07/30/yahoo-launches-the-frankenstein-of-messaging-apps-and-its-called-livetext-342/

On Wednesday, Yahoo announced that it would be releasing a new messaging app that takes the best part of all the messaging apps before it. It’s called Livetext and it lets users see each other but not hear each other.

Yahoo’s Frankenstein

Livetext takes features from FaceTime, Skype, Snapchat, Meerkat, and Periscope and combines them to create a messaging app that doesn’t exist to compete with these platforms but complement them.

Adam Cahan, senior vice president of video, design, and emerging products of Yahoo, believes that audio can be inhibiting in some situations where you may want to see who you are communicating with, but can’t audibly talk to them.

With that in mind, Livetext allows users to chat via text and emojis like Periscope, it doesn’t archive media or other files like Snapchat, and it organizes contact lists and friend quests similar to Facebook Messenger and Snapchat.

Yahoo Doesn’t Believe Livetext is a Competitor to Its Peers

Cahan believes that Livetext serves a niche that will be carved out once people begin to see how useful it can be. If a user is commuting to work via public transportation and they want to FaceTime someone, it can be difficult to accomplish in such a noisy environment. Similarly, there are sometimes when a user doesn’t want to communicate solely via text and may want to see who they are talking to. Situations like these are what Yahoo hopes users will take advantage of by using Livetext.

“And what we found in our user studies and testing was that they found new times to use the product, starting to engage more and more frequently, and having more and more conversations on our service. They definitely get it,” said Cahan.

Livetext Will be Launching July 30

Last quarter, Yahoo reported that 20% of its revenue came from mobile. Historically, it hasn’t been interested in pursuing many social services, but it looks like that may soon begin to change as Yahoo bolsters its communication services with Livetext.

Yahoo said users in the United States and four other countries can begin to download the app on their Android and iOS devices on thursday.

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Yahoo Launches the Frankenstein of Messaging Apps and It"s Called Livetext