04/20, 4:15pm
Google 'spring cleaning' targets mobile
Google on Friday detailed another round of sweeping consolidation that would drop even more of the servers it no longer considers vital. One Pass, its digital publication payment system, has been shuttered and its users transitioned to "other platforms." The implementation was intended to compete with Apple's own App Store publication rules and gave publishers as much as a 90 percent cut as well as access to subscriber details.
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02/16, 9:35am
Mac OS X Mountain Lion adds iMessage, Reminders
In a surprise step, Apple on Thursday gave developers a preview version of OS X Mountain Lion, the next significant update to the core OS. The new version is directly influenced by iOS 5 and includes Notification Center, Reminders, Notes, Game Center, and Twitter integration, with iCloud syncing where it's relevant. AirPlay Mirroring is also new to the Mac and shares exactly what's on screen through an Apple TV.
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01/19, 3:25pm
Samsung outs new basic phones with two Star 3s
Samsung has released successors for its entry-level Star II handsets with the Star 3 and Star 3 Duos. Both handsets are virtually identical, with the Duos adding a dual SIM slot. They have three-inch, 240x320 displays, and are 11.5mm (0.45in) thick.
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10/11, 5:30pm
Microsoft-Skype deal near wrapped up in US
Microsoft's buyout of Skype could be formally completed in the US this week, multiple tips indicated Tuesday. They explained to AllThingsD that it was "likely" the deal would be done in the next few days. The agreement already has American and European approval and is likely just waiting on formalities.
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07/11, 6:50pm
Tech aims to reduce shaky video
Google is reportedly preparing to improve its Google Talk services with image stabilization technology for video calling. The system is claimed to help compensate for scene motion from moving subjects or backgrounds. Incoming and outgoing video both benefit from the technology, which is also said to help maximize compression during encoding.
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06/09, 10:35pm
Google said to have worked on message rival
Google has at least at one point been developing an equivalent to BlackBerry Messenger and Apple's iMessage, an insider mentioned Thursday. Details of the system were few, but it's implied it would be much more than just the existing Google Talk and other IM apps. The WSJ clue made no mention of whether it was still active or a dead project.
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05/17, 4:40am
T-Mo blocks video chat over 3G in Android 2.3.4
T-Mobile Nexus S users trying to use the updated version of Google Talk video chat over 3G have discovered the new feature enabled in the Android 2.3.4 update has been blocked. Instead, users who try to place a video chat are presented a short message stating "You must be connected to a Wi-Fi network to start a video chat." The feature functions as expected over Sprint’s 3G network for users of the Nexus S 4G making it apparent that Google has left the functionality for networks to deploy as they choose.
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05/16, 9:30am
AIM and Google Talk now working directly
AIM users have reported that an expected direct federation between AIM chats and Google Talk is now working properly. Any message from an AIM user can go through by messaging someone at their Gmail address, and Google Talk users can do the same by messaging someone's screen name with "@aol.com" attached. Messages not only skip any lag in the network hop but include typing notifications, and status updates show for contacts on both sides.
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04/28, 5:20pm
Android 2.3.4 confirmed with video chat
Google on Thursday helped Android catch up in a key area with confirmation of the rumored Android 2.3.4 update. The update gives Android phones official video chat for the first time and uses the same Google Talk solution as on Android 3.0 tablets. Video chats work over cellular as well as Wi-Fi and let users talk both to tablets as well as to Gmail and other Google Talk-ready pages.
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04/26, 6:35am
Gingerbread update to get GTalk with video chat
The next update for Google’s Android 2.3.4 for smartphones is rumored to be adding Google Talk with video chat support. An alleged Samsung employee with the Twitter profile @MAFiA303 has tweeted that they have used the feature on the Nexus S, equipped with the yet to be released Gingerbread 2.3.4. The features is expected to be officially unveiled at Google’s I/O developer conference scheduled in the next two weeks.
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02/25, 10:40am
Xtreamer Prodigy media streamer has AirPlay, more
Xtreamer has just introduced a new media streaming hub called the Prodigy. The advanced device sports a Realtek 1185 chipset and has USB 3.0 ports. A sharp break, however, is its unique combination of seemingly conflicting technology. It combines an Adobe Flash-based user interface with support for Apple's remote AirPlay streaming as well as Mediafly, Google Talk, Netflix, Last FM, Pandora and Facebook, among others.
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10/25, 5:20pm
Skype to cut off Nimbuzz support by October 31
Nimbuzz , which provides free communications over the Internet through an app, was given until the end of the month to remove support for Skype by the VoIP company. The reason for this differs depending on who you ask, with Skype saying Nimbuzz cut off all talks with it over complying with API Terms of Use and the End User License Agreement. Nimbuzz, on the other hand, believes the request was made because Skype was trying to sever all ties with third-party VoIP service before its IPO.
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08/03, 12:05pm
RIM promises BB 6 updates to older phones
RIM as part of the BlackBerry Torch launch provided details of the upgrade plan for BlackBerry 6. The new OS will reach the Bold 9700, the Bold 9650 and the Pearl 3G as well as future devices. A timetable hasn't been set, but it should reach devices in the "months ahead."
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