skype

Andreessen rumored to be looking for $1.5 billion in new funding

One of Silicon Valley's most successful venture capital firms could become quite a bit richer if rumors that its founder is trying raise $1.5 billion are true.

The New York Times reported today that one of tech's most influential investors, Marc Andreessen, is looking to raise $1.5 billion for his Andreessen Horowitz investment firm. According to the Times, if Andreessen comes up with the funds, it could more than double the firm's assets. Right now, Andreessen Horowitz has $1.2 billion distributed between three funds.

Since launching in 2009, Andreessen Horowitz has been one of … Read more

Game on: Samsung's second to market with Android-based Skype HD videophone for TVs

LAS VEGAS--A few days ago, we wrote about how Tely Labs, a startup out of Silicon Valley, had launched an Android-based Skype HD video phone for TVs. Well, the $249 TelyHD now has company, as Samsung Techwin America has introduced a very similar product, the InTouch camera system, for $50 less.

Like the TelyHD, the Samsung InTouch is designed to be hooked onto the top of your flat-panel TV, runs on the Android operating system, offers Wi-Fi connectivity and 720p video, and has the Skype application integrated right into the unit. The service is free, and if you're a Skype subscriber already you can log in immediately and start making video calls.

Also like the TelyHD, the InTouch comes with additional preloaded apps, such as YouTube, Google News and Weather, and full Web browsing, plus it can display photos stored on a thumbdrive (there's a USB slot on the back of the camera).… Read more

Logitech C920 first Webcam with 1080p video calling

Past Webcams, Logitech's C910 for example, have offered 1080p video recording, but the new Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 is the first to let you make video calls at full HD resolution.

Logitech cites a partnership with Skype as the enabling factor for the C920's 1080p video calling, and you need to use Skype 5.7 Beta for Windows for full quality transmissions.

Standard video recording on the C920 is similar to that of the previous models, with compression coming by way of the H.264 standard. Logitech says the camera can also capture digital still images of … Read more

Say hello to TelyHD, an Android-based Skype video phone for your TV

In advance of CES, the folks from Tely Labs recently came by our offices in New York to demo the fledgling company's new $249 consumer video-conferencing solution for TVs--the TelyHD--that combines an Android-based HD video camera with a heavily skinned version of Skype.

Some TVs already offer Skype video-chatting capabilities via integrated cameras, but TelyHD is one of a few options arriving this year that will allow you to add a higher-quality HD camera with built-in Skype functionality.

From what we saw from the demo, we were impressed by the overall experience. We did a test call back to … Read more

Happy New Year from Skype! Free Wi-Fi in NYC for New Year's Eve

Skype is giving people in the Big Apple free access to Wi-Fi on New Year's Eve so they can call and video chat with friends and loved ones at the stroke of midnight.

The company, which allows people to make phone and video calls over the Internet, offered free Wi-Fi in airports around the U.S. from December 21 through December 27. Now it's teamed up with Wi-Fi provider Towerstream to give New Yorker's and visitors free Wi-Fi on December 31 from noon until January 1.

To connect to the service, users should look for the "… Read more

Skype giving away free holiday Wi-Fi at select U.S. airports

Travelers stuck at the airport during the holidays will find at least one free gift, courtesy of Skype.

The IP-based calling service is offering free Wi-Fi at more than 50 airports across the U.S. from December 21 though December 27. People traveling through any of the select airports will be able to log on to a Skype Wi-Fi connection via their PC, Mac, or Apple iOS device to make a video or voice call.

The gift package includes airports in some of the country's major hubs, such as Atlanta; Boston; Washington, D.C.; Miami; Chicago; San Francisco; and … Read more

How to remove ads from IM clients

Ads within instant-messenger or browser clients are rarely welcomed by the user. They can slow down your computer and have the potential to contain harmful content--from adult products you don't want young eyes to see to adware or malware. RemoveAds is a Windows program that can be installed to remove those pesky (and sometimes dangerous) advertisements from just about any IM client or browser.

Step 1: Download and install RemoveAdsRemoveAds. 

Step 2: Launch the program from the Start menu by searching for RemoveAds.

Step 3: Be on the lookout for any ads that made it through the … Read more

Skype 2.6 for Android knows how to share

Skype for Android jumps to version 2.6 today, and it brings with it some really nifty sharing capabilities.

Now you can send photos, recorded videos, or other files to your contacts directly from Skype's chat interface. Based on the screenshot, the feature seems simple enough, and we're sure it'll be popular with anyone who regularly uses the Skype app. File sharing is free and available over Wi-Fi or through your device's data connection.

Also, anyone with a device running Nvidia's Tegra 2 chipset will get to enjoy improved video quality and battery life.

Skype 2.6 for Android … Read more

Skype desktop app now makes Facebook video calls

Skype deepened its partnership with Facebook today by adding Facebook video calling to both its Mac and Windows applications.

With the just-announced Skype 5.4 Beta for Mac and Skype 5.7 Beta for Windows, you can initiate a Facebook video call without having to open up your browser and log in to the social-networking site. Just connect your Facebook account to Skype, select a Facebook friend, and hit the Skype video call button. Your friend picks up the call directly from within Facebook. While the feature isn't exactly a game-changer, we do think it's superconvenient. Since you … Read more