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Monday, May 17, 2021
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Skype for Web beta version is now available in US and UK

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Skype-for-WebMicrosoft said that it was building a Web client for Skype last year, and it has been operating in a very beta since then. Today, the beta got opened up to every Skype user in the US and UK, with the rest of the world being added in coming weeks.

Microsoft’s plan is to use an API called ORTC or Object Real Time Communications, which is currently being developed by Microsoft, Google and others. But, this specification is not complete, with only Microsoft’s Edge browser likely to support it any time soon. So now Skype for Web is depending on a range of browser plugins and extensions.

With Skype for web, you can visit web.skype.com in the US and UK, sign in, and instantly start chatting without having to download anything more than a simple plugin.

It’s a tremendous step for Microsoft’s Skype team, which has been working hard over the past years to implement a Real Time Communications solution on the web.

As expected, Skype for web will allow you to seamlessly sync your conversations across all of your devices, whether it’s a mobile phone, tablet, PC or even web-connected television or Xbox One.

Skype says it has improves the way you can search in Skype for Web:

“Instead of two separate lists for contacts and recent conversations, Skype for Web introduces a timeline view – a single, searchable list that makes it easier to start new conversations and find existing ones.”

Skype for Web is compatible across all browser including Internet Explorer, Chrome, Safari and Firefox, but need a simple pulgin to make it work.

Skype is just the latest calling and messaging application to join the web based app ranks. Other messaging apps on the web include WeChat Web, Whatsapp for Web, Voxer for Web.

You’ll want to make sure you install the plugin so you can get started with Skype for Web right away.

Microsoft Lumia 840, 940 and 740 XL Windows OS Smartphones Launch soon

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Rumor has it, a new product from Microsoft Lumia 840, might be replacing his predecessor Lumia 830 which was launched in 2014. Microsoft is aiming to produce an upgraded version of Lumia 830 improving the core applications such as photo editing, panaroma and face detection. Microsoft has recent some success in their phone division under Satya Nadella, and expecting it grow over the period with their line of products.

Microsoft still haven’t announced the name of their new device, a good assumption would be Lumia 840. Microsoft is planning to release a set of Lumia phones along with the upgraded version to Lumia 840, namely Microsoft Lumia 940 and Microsoft Lumia 740 XL. Microsoft is creating a lot of buzz in the phone market with the latest rumor with their best in line Lumia handsets.

Expectation are high with the latest model as it is believed to have Windows Phone 10 GDR2 with a large display of 5 inches. It is also believed it will support dual sim functionality which are a huge hit in the south east asian markets. They are upgrading the cameras, rear 14 MP and front 5 MP.

According to the latest rumors, Microsoft is expected to launch their new phone Lumia 840 in the coming months. Asian markets stopped piling up Lumia 830 in their stores, as they await for the upgraded version Lumia 840.

It is expected, the new phone would have the similar design with slight modifications to Lumia 830. The major updates will be the softwares and the camera, now we have to wait and see if the Microsoft Lumia 840, meets the expectations of the Lumia fans, majority of them are in south east Asia.

Nokia turns down consumer mobile comeback reports

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Finnish tech company Nokia on Sunday turned down the reports that it is planning to return into the smartphone business to boost its profit and user base.

In a blog post, Nokia discredited the reports that have been making rounds since last week.

“The company reiterates it currently has no plans to manufacture or sell consumer handsets. These reports are false, and include comments incorrectly attributed to a Nokia Networks executive,” Nokia said in the message posted on its official website.

It has been a year now since tech giant Microsoft has closed the deals of purchasing the phone business of Nokia. However, the prevailing situation has failed to discourage the murmurs that Nokia would resume the business someday.

In its report last week, tech website Recode has said that that Nokia is working on re-entering the consumer handset market likely by next year. The report cited two unnamed sources familiar with the matter.

Meanwhile, the market analysts said whatever is Nokia’s plan, but the company is completely restricted by its agreement with Microsoft. Under the agreement, Nokia cannot use Microsoft’s brand on phones until Q4 of next year.

Microsoft joins hands with Dropbox to allow editing with Office Online

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Tech giant Microsoft and cloud storage service provider Dropbox on Thursday deepened their ties by integrating their products, allowing the Dropbox users to edit their files related to Microsoft Office directly within the cloud account using a tool called Office Online.

With the integration of the respective products of both the companies, the Dropbox cloud storage account users can link with Office Online and open, browse and edit Microsoft Office files in the Webified version of Office. The Dropbox users can also create new files in Office Online. Moreover, the newly created file can be directly saved to the Dropboxes.

All the users of Dropbox and Office Online will gain access to this new integration level from April 9.

In November 2014, Microsoft and Dropbox have clubbed hands to allow their users to access Dropbox cloud storage accounts directly from the Office apps that come installed on the devices. This integration has also allowed the users to edit their Office files inside the Dropbox app. Those capabilities were introduced for Dropbox users on both Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS in November.

Delivering its last fall’s promise, Dropbox has developed apps for Windows 8 tablets and Windows Phone.

On Microsoft’s 40 anniversary, Bill Gates talks about what to do next  

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Tech giant Microsoft will observe the 40th anniversary of its foundation on Saturday. The software company was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975.

Gates marked the auspicious event with an email to his employees on Friday in which he offered advice on what the future may hold for the company.

Gates served as Microsoft’s chief executive official for 25 years before resigning from his role in 2000. He, however, continued as an adviser to incumbent Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

Gates is now completely dedicated towards making philanthropic efforts in association with his Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Here is the full text of the letter:

“Tomorrow is a special day: Microsoft’s 40th anniversary. Early on, Paul Allen and I set the goal of a computer on every desk and in every home. It was a bold idea and a lot of people thought we were out of our minds to imagine it was possible. It is amazing to think about how far computing has come since then, and we can all be proud of the role Microsoft played in that revolution.

Today though, I am thinking much more about Microsoft’s future than its past. I believe computing will evolve faster in the next 10 years than it ever has before. We already live in a multi-platform world, and computing will become even more pervasive. We are nearing the point where computers and robots will be able to see, move, and interact naturally, unlocking many new applications and empowering people even more. Under Satya’s leadership, Microsoft is better positioned than ever to lead these advances.

We have the resources to drive and solve tough problems. We are engaged in every facet of modern computing and have the deepest commitment to research in the industry. In my role as technical advisor to Satya, I get to join product reviews and am impressed by the vision and talent I see.

The result is evident in products like Cortana, Skype Translator, and HoloLens — and those are just a few of the many innovations that are on the way. In the coming years, Microsoft has the opportunity to reach even more people and organizations around the world. Technology is still out of reach for many people, because it is complex or expensive, or they simply do not have access.

So I hope you will think about what you can do to make the power of technology accessible to everyone, to connect people to each other, and make personal computing available everywhere even as the very notion of what a PC delivers makes its way into all devices. We have accomplished a lot together during our first 40 years and empowered countless businesses and people to realize their full potential. But what matters most now is what we do next.

Thank you for helping make Microsoft a fantastic company now and for decades to come.”

Microsoft Findings About the Internet’s Effect on Countries Released

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Microsoft Findings About the Internet’s Effect on Countries Released

Microsoft recently reported details on the results of their second and latest survey ahead of the coming World Economic Forum to be held in Davos, Switzerland. Entitled as “Views from Around the Globe: 2nd Annual Poll on How Personal Technology Is Changing Our Lives,” the report consist of collective views of Internet users totaling to 12,002 from 12 countries.

The study showed that 60% of all internet users from developing countries do believe that personal technology promises positive effects on social bonds much higher those in developed countries which was recorded at 36%.

Compared to results gathered last year, more of the respondents feel that technology did have a positive impact when it comes to literacy and transportation, while fewer respondents believed personal freedom, social bonds, and political expression was affected.

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