Skype brings video calling to Android phones

Skype has announced an updated version of its Skype for Android app – Skype for Android 2.0, bringing Skype Video Calling to the currently fastest growing mobile OS.

With the new version, users will be able to make and receive free 1-to-1 video calls over Skype between their Android phone and other Skype contacts on the iPhone, Mac, Windows PCs and even TVs. The Android video call app works over Wi-Fi or 3G data connections and can be downloaded for free from the Android Market or the Skype website using any phone browser.

“We are committed to bring Skype Video Calling to as many platforms as possible and are delighted to deliver on this with our new updated Android video chat app,” said Neil Stevens, Skype’s vice president and general manager for product and marketing.

“With approximately 30 million concurrent users logging into Skype at any given time and making up to half a million simultaneous video calls, the Skype video chat on Android app makes it even easier for users to share moments with their contacts wherever they are.”

In addition to video chat, users can also make calls to landlines and mobiles around the world, as well as send SMS’s to friends and family anywhere in the world at great Skype rates. All this comes with a complete redesign of the Skype for Android user interface. There’s a new main menu on the Skype app for Android where users can navigate easily through their contacts, access their Skype profile to change personal details or see the balance of their Skype Credit. Finally a new mood message box at the top of the Skype app menu makes it easier than ever for users to share how they are feeling, what they’ve seen, or what they’re up to.

For this first phase of launch, handsets that support video calling include the HTC Desire S, Sony Ericsson Xperia neo, Sony Ericsson Xperia pro and the Google Nexus S.

Via EPR Network
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New website creation intensifies the importance for quality of web hosting confirm Names.co.uk

There are over 90 million .COM domain names on the World Wide Web. As each year passes more new websites are created, yet this number is decreasing, report Pingdom.com. In 2009, 47 million new websites were added to Webospshere, with only 21.4 added in 2010. An over 50% drop in new website creation points to a number of web-based factors. Despite the popularity of new website creation, it has become increasingly hard to get sites noticed, well hosted and picked up by search engines, online users or potential website customers. Names.co.uk offer effective web hosting for both personal and professional website platforms and provide expert advice for those hoping to set up and maintain their own web pages. In time where only well-developed sites will succeed, it is imperative to ensure your website stands out from the crowd.

With award-winning excellence since 1996 and voted the best for shared web hosting for three years running, Names.co.uk are among the UK’s top hosting companies. Whether you are looking to set up or get your website online, Names.co.uk provides all the right support and know-how to make your web hosting dreams happen. Choose between starter kits that are ideal for the personal and small company website, professional packages for powerful business hosting, premium hosting for high traffic business websites and platinum packages for developer and reseller hosting.

Each web hosting package from Names.co.uk comes equipped with the right technical features and support for the website in question. Each package also includes a free domain name, bandwidth, email accounts, web storage space and a free advertising voucher from Simply.com. Quality web hosting only comes with bespoke website maintenance and support. For this reason, Names.co.uk provide fast and friendly help from their expert UK-based team, plus all customers are guaranteed access to a 24/7 online support centre. Whilst the total number of websites sits at over 260 million, a rise from over the last two years, the importance of quality web site hosting and development has never been greater. Log onto Names.co.uk now to secure web hosting that will see your site sit above the rest.

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BT Openzone to enhance Internet services across Hilton Worldwide’s UK and Ireland hotels

BT Openzone has entered into a strategic agreement with Hilton Worldwide to provide a fully-managed suite of Wi-Fi and Internet services across hotels in the U.K. and Ireland. The new technology will provide a tenfold increase in bandwidth and an even more consistent, high-quality online experience for guests at nearly 100 Hilton Worldwide properties beginning in Autumn 2011.

This agreement provides guests with BT Openzone Wi-Fi access, high-speed broadband, conference and event services in more than 17,000 bedrooms, public areas and meeting and conference spaces, including 24-hour customer support. The new Wi-Fi service will be available free of charge to all Gold and Diamond Hilton HHonors members and over five million BT Total broadband customers. BT Openzone users and customers from iPass, AT&T and other BT Openzone roaming partners can also use the super-fast broadband when visiting the hotels.

“We are committed to providing our guests with access to the very latest technology, complementing our world class hospitality, and are delighted to collaborate with BT Openzone to deliver an outstanding service in the U.K. and Ireland,” said Robert Webb, Chief Information Officer, Hilton Worldwide. “This deal builds on last year’s agreement with AT&T in the United States and Canada as we look to partner with the very best technology providers around the world.”

Chris Bruce, CEO, BT Openzone, said: “The growing number of travellers with mobile devices such as tablet computers and smartphones, means guests increasingly expect to be able to log on wherever they are and with a fast and reliable connection. BT currently has 2.8 million Wi-Fi hotspots across the U.K. and Ireland. By expanding our coverage at Hilton Worldwide’s portfolio of hotels, we are demonstrating our commitment in providing leading edge technology services to partners in a very demanding service environment.”

BT Openzone will use an ‘above property’, centralised cloud computing architecture, and will oversee network operations, guest Internet support, network engineering, software development and 24/7 network monitoring for Hilton Worldwide’s business Wi-Fi and Internet services.

Hilton Worldwide’s portfolio of six brands in the U.K. and Ireland includes Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Doubletree by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton by Hilton.

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