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Just in time for Windows 8, Skype has now just released a major version update that adds improved integration with Microsoft and Facebook accounts, better messaging, and some minor changes to the user interface.

For those of you who've been living under a rock, Skype is one of the the most popular video chat and voice calling clients amongst our users as well as the world. It offers free calls to other Skype users over the Internet as well as very affordable rates for calling landlines and phones.

Version 6 brings a much simpler registration process, particularly with more … Read more

Video2Webcam lets you share video clips with others during online sessions, even when you don't have a webcam attached. If you do have a webcam, you can switch between the live feed and file playback easily. Video2Webcam installs quickly.

The Video2Webcam interface is simple to use. A small dialog shows video clips in a folder you choose, and lets you play them, pause, loop, and stop playback from a small control panel; a small preview window underneath lets you see what the video file looks like (and position playback, if necessary). There are also controls for your webcam to … Read more

If you go around saying things like "P2P" and "VoIP," even your friends are apt to give you the eyebrow, but say "Skype," and millions of users around the world get the message. Skype means free Skype-to Skype Internet phone calls, video chat and conferencing, IM, and Facebook integration. We tried the latest release of the free version of Skype, which not only lets you yak at other Skype users as long as you want for free but also enables free one-to-one video calls, Instant Messaging, and screen sharing. A Pay As You Go … Read more

MorphVOX Junior is a free voice changer software app for Windows. Although it's designed for online games, you can use it for any purpose that requires voice changing and it works well with most VoIP and IM clients. MorphVOX Junior installs easily, and a relatively clean interface makes it easy to work with. There is a paid version of MorphVOX Junior that adds a lot more capability and better quality, but the free version will be fine for casual users.

Whether you want to change the timbre of your voice, make yourself sound like the opposite sex, or simply … Read more

WhatsApp Messenger is an iOS (and other platform) messaging app that allows notifications to be pushed instantly. It doesn't require usernames or logins, using just your phone number as your unique ID. And, unlike some messenger apps, WhatsApp Messenger is always on. The download is fast and the install is easy.

WhatsApp Messenger has an pretty standard interface with a list of clients and a chat window for each ongoing chat session. A neat feature is setting up group chats and being able to share video and music with others at the same time. Since WhatsApp Messenger uses your … Read more

ooVoo Video Chat is a free iOS app that lets you have up to 12 participants in a text and video chat session on Facebook. The app installs easily and lets you see four chat participants at one time (scrolling to other screens to see the rest), or you can zoom in on one participant while maintaining a small window showing your feed.

To use ooVoo Video Chat, you log into Facebook; you can ping anyone else who is also logged in. You have the ability to initiate text chat with some people, even while video chatting with others at … Read more

We already see, touch, and hear our smartphones. Isn't it time we got a whiff of them, too? Japanese company Chaku Perfume has developed an iPhone app and accessory system that delivers smells.

The gadget part attaches to the dock of the iPhone and contains an atomizer and smell tank. A person on the other end could deliver a particular smell through the other person's device. I'm guessing bacon would be popular.

The Chat Perf is expected to cost just over $60. Let's imagine some uses for this. A bakery could send the smell of cinnamon rolls to entice customers in. Justin Bieber could send the smell of his Someday perfume to his devoted fans. … Read more

CyberLink YouCam 5 is a Webcam manager that not only manages your installed Webcams and feeds but also lets you jazz them up with cool effects, avatars, gadgets, and so on. YouCam includes productivity tools for making presentations, tutorials, and instructional videos. It records HD video, and its TrueTheater feature enhances them. You can add special effects to your Webcam feed, and even download unlimited free effects from DirectZone. New features include Face Login, which uses facial-recognition technology to access your PC and Web sites like Facebook and Amazon. CyberLink YouCam 5 is free to try for 15 days.

CyberLink … Read more

Facebook recently added a list of emoticons to help you express yourself a bit more than text characters permit. The full list can be used in chat or private messages, and some of the less complex ones can be used in comments on wall posts.

Trying to use any of them in a wall post that you created (not commented on) will just end up looking like this:

Using them the way Facebook intended (for now, at least), looks more like this:

Here's the full list so you can express yourself to your friends:

Do … Read more