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Skype adds a new “blurred background” feature

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Microsoft has announced that the latest version of Skype for desktops and laptops now offers the option of blurring the background during video calls. This feature works to distinguish and isolate the subject from the surrounding background, and places the focus on the person as the most important component of the scene. This will provide a distraction-free space, and help eliminate any embarrassing moments during video conferencing. This option was first introduced in another Microsoft messaging application, Teams. Last September the company announced their support for the background blur in this collaboration app, introducing new features for the workplace chat platform and Office 365. The blur feature has put Artificial Intelligence (AI) to use, as this advanced technology has been trained to recognize the human form. It is not just the speaker’s face that is in focus, but also their hair, hands and arms, thus creating a smooth…

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Viber 10 delivers new features for Android and iOS

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Viber has launched the latest revision of its mobile messaging application on iOS and Android – version 10, featuring an updated User Interface (UI) together with several other improvements. This is the first major update to the app in four years. The company stated that Viber Messenger 10 comes with a new look, has enhanced connectivity options, and includes additional privacy measures. Viber services have been improved with the ability to send messages twice as fast as before, and voice and video calls have been given “a quality boost to become crystal clear”. There is a new, bright header across the app, and the main chat list is displayed with convenient access to all private and group chats, communities and favourite public content. The update includes a new “Calls” screen containing recent calls and phone contacts, with the Viber Out balance and subscriptions shown at the top of…

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Google Voice to be rolled out with VoIP

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Google Voice is finally getting an update with the addition of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), honoring the company’s commitment made in 2017 to make improvements to the application. Social media apps such as Facebook and Instagram have already been using VoIP carried over Wi-Fi or mobile data for voice calls in private or group messages, enabling communications between users through voice messages and video calls. Google Voice has been functioning as a phone call relay system, forwarding calls through another number. However, the app has never used VoIP for carrying traffic, and has been constrained to providing traditional phone connections. There is another Google messaging app, Hangouts, that facilitates audio chat between mobile devices over WiFi. However, this app is intended more for personal use rather than for professional engagements, and a Hangouts Dialer plug-in is required to be able to place calls within Hangouts app. Scott…

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Telinta and TextBetter deliver improved SMS solutions for VoIP providers

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US telecommunications companies Telinta, offering cloud-based, white label switching and billing solutions for VoIP service providers, and TextBetter, a provider of cloud-based business-texting services, have announced a joint initiative to deliver cooperative solutions for VoIP service providers. VoIP services such as hosted PBX, business and residential VoIP, and mobile connectivity accessible through Telinta’s cloud-based softswitch platform, can be integrated with this unique SMS solution. The white label solution from TextBetter makes it possible for any US phone number to send and receive SMS via email. TextBetter SMS services can be easily added to Telinta’s hosted softswitch platform, without the need to change the ownership of the DIDs. According to Telinta, “this powerful cloud-based combination of VoIP switching, billing, and SMS technology requires no software or hardware for service providers. TextBetter pairs the end user’s existing email with an associated phone number, so that SMS messages can be both…

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The EU Parliament voted FOR the European Electronic Communications Code

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As anticipated, the European Parliament has voted in favour of the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC). The new EU telecoms rules will open the possibilities for faster access to radio spectrum waves and greater investments in high-speed connectivity. They will also ensure better protection and services for end-users of either traditional (calls, SMS) or web-based solutions (Skype, WhatsApp, etc.). Vice-President for the Digital Single Market, Andrus Ansip, and Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, Mariya Gabriel, made a joint statement, which said, “Today’s vote by the European Parliament is a positive and necessary step towards ensuring that the telecoms sector in the EU is fit for purpose.” “The new telecoms rules that will now be put in place as a result, are an essential building block for Europe’s digital future and a source of new digital rights for European citizens. They are crucial for meeting Europeans’ growing connectivity needs and boosting…

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Google unveils plans for a 3rd data center facility in Singapore

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Singapore has long been known as the south-east Asian center for network expansion, due to its booming data center industry. The technology giant Google has revealed plans to expand their network in the region by building a 3rd data center in Jurong West, thereby increasing their long-term investment in Singapore’s data centers to $850 million. Google’s first data center was built in Singapore in 2011, followed by the second in 2015, while the 3rd building is expected to be ready by 2020. “In the three years since our last update, more than 70 million people in Southeast Asia have gotten online for the first time, bringing the region’s total to more than 330 million–that’s more than the population of the United States,” commented the vice president of Data Centers at Google, Joe Kava. The newest facility will be built nearby the previous two, and will continue Google’s environmentally friendly approach…

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BICS launches a Local SMS Firewall

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A leading communications solutions provider, BICS, has announced the release of their Local SMS Firewall, a fully managed end-to-end platform that helps operators protect and optimize their SMS traffic and revenues. This Local SMS Firewall oversees both A2P and P2P activities, and filters messages for unbillable traffic, thus preventing any loss of income. According to BICS, the introduction of their Local SMS Firewall was a natural reaction to the rapidly increasing number of A2P use cases and the demand for customer engagement. With mobile operators applying extra effort to boost customer satisfaction and taking advantage of A2P SMS opportunities, the new platform is a perfect tool for minimizing the decrease of revenue caused by traffic bypass. “BICS is dedicated to aiding operators in monetizing their SMS assets. SMS aggregators are always going to look for new ways to disrupt the industry, but with solutions like BICS’ Local SMS Firewall, the…

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Vodafone launches the first V by Vodafone wearable IoT devices

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While the IoT market continues to grow, Vadofone has announced the launch of two new consumer IoT products in their V by Vodafone range – V-SOS Band by Vodafone and V-Kids Watch by Vodafone. Last November, the telecom giant made its move into the consumer IoT market with their new range of devices called V by Vodafone. The initial launch focused on four products from different categories: V-Auto by Vodafone, V-Pet by Vodafone, V-Camera by Vodafone and V-Bag by Vodafone, all easily managed via their V by Vodafone App. The newest additions to the group are human wearable devices aimed to assist people with mobility issues, and to help children develop their independence in a secure manner. The V-SOS Band by Vodafone is described as an emergency alert wristband, that enables the wearer to send an SOS signal to up to four contacts simply by pressing a button for three…

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Group voice and video call features are now available on WhatsApp for Android

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The Beta testers of WhatsApp for Android can now be the first to enjoy the long-awaited voice and video group calling on their mobile devices. These latest features are available on Android Beta versions 2.18.189 and 2.18.192, but first the user has to enroll in the WhatsApp Beta tester program via the Google Play store. Arranging a group voice or video call on WhatsApp is simple; start a call with one person and once the call gets connected, an icon “Add person” appears in top right corner of the screen. On selecting that icon, users will be redirected to a contact list where an additional participant may be selected. Currently, the voice and video group calls only support up to four participants, including the person who initiated the call. The Facebook-owned company’s group calling features were officially announced during the F8 conference this May, and since then only a selected number…

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Legal battle over Alexa between Amazon and VoIP-Pal

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After suing Apple over patents infringement VoIP-Pal is determined to launch the exact same process with Amazon. The lawsuit has been filed in Nevada, and is focusing and Amazon’s cloud-based virtual assistant, Alexa, especially on its calling and messaging services. The Washington-based company blames Amazon for using the very same four patents that it is suing Apple for. In Amazon’s case, the technology is used to make function voice and video calls or voice messages. Voip-Pal is trying to make profits from patents they own that are based on VoIP technology. The CEO of Voip-Pal, Emil Malak said, “After investigating Amazon’s Alexa platform and Echo line of products our technical team has concluded that the calling and messaging functions infringe our patents. Amazon’s foray into communications seems to be part of a larger trend of giant corporations battling for market dominance by offering Internet-based communication products that integrate with traditional…

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