Next Gen iPod Touch Coming This September; Brings 5MP Camera + Facetime

Earlier today, a leading UK retailer slipped some details on what it expects from the next-gen iPod Touch and the iPhone 4 holds many of the clues. According to John Lewis who says "noises we're hearing from suppliers," the next-gen device will come equipped with a 5-megapixel camera, a front-facing camera, an LED flash, and the capacity to capture video in HD (720p probably), as well as including FaceTime Wi-FI video chat. With support for iOS 4 (which should also be hitting the iPad relatively soon), the next gen iPod Touch will offer the same movement sensors as the iPhone 4. Everything seems pretty reasonable and pretty accurate as games and other titles designed to take advantage of the iPhone's new accelerometer and gyroscope will be hitting the App Store, requiring the hardware to be able to support the features to be a contender.

This whole rumor suggests that the device will probably be powered by the A4 processor that Apple utilizes in it's iPad and iPhone 4 as well. With the iTunes cloud rumor in the air, the possibility of the iPod Touch supporting 3G is still there but highly doubtful at the same time as it would imply support for VoIP and we aren't sure Apple wants to hurt their iPhone sales. That being said, this suggests that some elements of portability will exist in the iTunes cloud service, so that users can carry some tracks with them when their devices are offline (a common feature found in Spotify, MOG, and others). Apple's next music event is probably going to be held in time for the holiday shopping season, most likely early September. Will iOS-enabled Apple TV also make an appearance? Only time will tell.

Stay tuned for more info on the topic by following us on Twitter and/or subscribing to our RSS feeds.

Google Voice VoIP Desktop Client Coming Soon

After Google first acquired Skype competitor Gizmo5 in November 2009, it wasn't hard to guess that a soft phone application for Google Voice would be coming soon. A few months after the acquisition that Google was working hard on Google Voice Desktop internally. More recently we learned that Google was delaying the launch of the product and possibly even scrapping it entirely because Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin don't want Google to be in the business of creating software outside of the browser.

The workers over at TechCrunch asked their sources to give them screen shots of what Google Voice Desktop looks like and in exchange ended up getting the actual application. They took a video that shows what the application looks like for both inbound and outbound calls. The software is still branded Gizmo5 but the sign up screen does say "Gizmo5 by Google," and it is fully integrated with the Google Voice service, address book and all. The desktop application was automatically added as one of the phones in the Google voice browser as well and there was no news whether this was an internal release or something a bit older.

Our opinion of the software is that it is very intriguing and that Google should continue to finalize it and eventually release it for everyone to use. It seems to work great and will probably become a very viable alternative to current software for many to use. Particularly for those who travel overseas and don't want to pay a ridiculous price for a Skype-in number. The video can be found below:

What are your thoughts of the software thus far? Keep in mind that it is an unreleased version so probably a beta version (or maybe even an alpha). Share your thoughts and comments below.

Skype App Updated For iPhone - Allows VOIP Over 3G

Several VoIP apps have managed to work in this functionality since Apple and AT&T started allowing it to last year, but the official Skype app has been a notable holdout. Two months after Skype started doing 3G calls on Android with Verizon, there's a 2.0 version of the app for iPhone that brings voice calls over 3G at last. Mobile iPhone calls are currently free until August. Afterwards you will need a "mobile subscription." We're currently testing out the app as we write this and it seems to work just as well as any other 3G VoIP app that we've tried. It is ordinary and nothing revolutionary. Here are the new features included in the updated version of the app:

• Call using your 3G connection. Skype-to-Skype calls on 3G are free until at least end of August 2010, after which there will be a small monthly fee (operator charges for data will still apply).
• Near CD-quality sound for Skype-to-Skype calls using wideband audio (SILK codec) on iPhone 3GS and 2nd generation iPhone touch.
• Enhanced call quality indicator.
• Improved start-up time.
• Fast access to the dial pad from iPhone home screen

We aren't quite sure why there will be a "small monthly fee" but there you have it.

Stay tuned for more info by following us on Twitter and/or subscribing to our RSS feed.

Google Anticipating Acquisition of Global IP Solutions

We aren’t sure what Google is up to exactly but we’re pretty sure it has a lot to do with voice over IP. The company announced the anticipated acquisition of another VOIP company. Back in November, it acquired Gizmo5 for about $30 million, and now it has offered $68.2 million to Global IP Solutions. The company provides VOIP solutions for a number of clients, including Yahoo, and recently announced plans to release an Android library that would enable easy video conferencing in apps. We’re guessing Google liked what they saw and decided to mold it into the OS. This offer needs to be approved by 90% of Global IP’s shareholders but, since $68.2 million represents a nearly 30% boost in the company’s stock price last week, we don’t think there will be any problem there. You can check out the full press release below:

Google to Make Cash Offer to Acquire Global IP Solutions

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and SAN FRANCISCO, May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Google Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOG) and Global IP
Solutions (GIPS) Holding AB (publ) (OSE: GIPS) today announced that they have entered into a transaction agreement under which Google Acquisition Holdings Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Google, will make a recommended voluntary public cash offer to acquire all the issued and to be issued shares of GIPS for NOK 13.0 (USD 2.12) in cash per share, or an aggregate price of approximately NOK 421 million (USD 68.2 million) based on the currently issued and outstanding share capital of GIPS.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081016/GIPSLOGO)
"The Web is evolving quickly as a development platform, and real-time video and audio communication over the Internet are becoming important new tools for users," said Rian Liebenberg, Engineering Director at Google. "GIPS's technology provides high quality, real-time audio and video over an IP network, and we're looking forward to working with the GIPS team at Google to continue innovating for the Web platform."
"This is an exciting milestone for GIPS as we join Google with a shared vision to transform and accelerate IP communications," said Emerick Woods, Global IP Solutions CEO. "With Google's global reach, scale and widely recognized leadership, we are confident that our existing customers will continue to be fully supported while we continue to enhance and extend our products and technology at Google."
The offer price represents a premium of 142.1% over the closing share price of GIPS stock (adjusted for the rights issue in GIPS completed in March 2010) on January 11, 2010, the last trading day prior to GIPS making a public announcement of strategic interest from a potential buyer, a premium of 170.8% over the subscription price per share of GIPS stock in the last rights offering completed in March 2010 and a premium of 27.5% compared to the closing share price on 14 May, 2010, the last trading day prior to the offeror's public announcement of its intention to make the offer. Furthermore, the offer price represents a premium of 54.6% compared to the adjusted volume weighted average market price for the last three month period prior to the announcement of the transaction.
The completion of the offer will be subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the offeror of customary conditions, including acceptance of the offer by the holders of at least 90% of the GIPS share capital on a fully diluted basis. The transaction is not currently expected to require approval by competition authorities in any jurisdiction. The offer will not be subject to any financing condition and will be funded from Google's existing cash resources.
Following the successful completion of the offer, the offeror intends to cause GIPS to submit an application to delist the GIPS stock from the Oslo Stock Exchange and to initiate compulsory acquisition proceedings with respect to the remaining minority shareholdings in GIPS in accordance with Swedish law.
An offer document setting forth in detail the terms of the offer is expected to be published and distributed to all GIPS shareholders on or about 20 May, 2010, following review and approval by the Oslo Stock Exchange. The expiration date of the offer is expected to be on or about 4 June, 2010, as it may be extended by the offeror in accordance with the offer document and applicable law. In the event the conditions to the offer are not satisfied or waived by the offeror prior to 31 August, 2010, the offer will lapse.
Based on the information provided on the date hereof, the board of directors of GIPS has made a resolution to recommend the offer. The statutory required statement from the board of directors of GIPS will be included in the offer document. Certain GIPS shareholders, including Kistefos Venture Capital AS and Kistefos Venture Capital II DA, have irrevocably committed to accept the offer with respect to approximately 50% of the outstanding shares and votes of GIPS.
GIPS has entered into a transaction agreement with Google which, among other things, regulates the offer process, imposes restrictions on certain actions by GIPS outside the ordinary course of business and contains non-solicitation provisions. The transaction agreement also provides that the board of directors of GIPS may only withdraw its recommendation on certain terms and conditions.
SEB Enskilda is acting as Google's sole strategic and financial advisor in the transaction and as the receiving agent for the offer. ABG Sundal Collier Norge ASA is acting as financial advisor to the GIPS board of directors.
The description contained herein is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell shares of GIPS. On or about 19 May, 2010, the offeror plans to publish and distribute to all GIPS shareholders of record an offer document setting forth the terms of the offer. The offer document will contain important information about the offeror, GIPS, the transaction and related matters. Investors and GIPS shareholders are urged to read the offer document carefully when it becomes available. Investors will be able to obtain free copies of the offer document by contacting SEB Enskilda, the receiving agent for the offer, at +47 21008500 or by visiting www.sebenskilda.no.
The offer will not be made in any jurisdiction in which the making of the offer would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction.
About Global IP Solutions
Global IP Solutions (GIPS) provides best-in-class voice and video processing in IP communications. GIPS enables its customers to deliver unmatched quality, with a faster time to market and less risk than alternative solutions. GIPS serves application developers, service providers, and network equipment vendors. Its customer list includes Nortel, Oracle, Samsung, WebEx, Yahoo!, AOL and other key players in the VoIP market. The company is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Stockholm, Boston and Hong Kong. More information at www.gipscorp.com.
About Google Inc.
Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This document includes certain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the expected timing of the transaction, Google's and GIPS's ability to complete the transaction, and the expected benefits of the transaction. These statements are based on the current expectations or beliefs of managements of Google and GIPS and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to (1) changes in economic, business, competitive, technological and/or regulatory factors, (2) failure to receive required approvals for the transaction, (3) failure to compete successfully in a highly competitive and rapidly changing marketplace, (4) failure to retain key employees, and (5) other factors affecting the operation of the respective businesses of Google and GIPS. More detailed information about these and other factors that may affect current expectations may be found in filings by Google with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Google's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and in filings by GIPS with the Oslo Stock Exchange, including GIPS's most recent annual and quarterly reports. Google and GIPS are under no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any such obligation to, update or alter their respective forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

T-Mobile and AT&T Android Phone Users Can Now Use Vonage VoIP Apps

 

T-Mobile and AT&T customers who have Android phones can now finally download a Vonage VoIP app to their devices to make cheap international calls over WiFi and/or 3G. Domestic calls are supposedly free, but only over WiFi.

Looks like more and more useful apps are actually coming around with the Android Market growing rapidly and the number of apps increasing. Lets see how long it persists. Check out the full Vonage app press release below:

Vonage Delivers Worldwide Calling Savings to T-Mobile and AT&T Android Users

HOLMDEL, N.J., April 9, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ — Vonage Holdings Corp. (NYSE: VG), a leading provider of high-quality voice and messaging services over broadband networks, today announced the expansion of its Vonage Mobile offerings to AT&T and T-Mobile devices that use the Android mobile operating system.

Vonage Mobile will be available to download for AT&T and T-Mobile Android devices at www.vonage.com later today and is already available for iPhone(R), BlackBerry(R) and iPod touch(R) devices. Vonage Mobile customers enjoy high-quality, outbound international calling over Wi-Fi and cellular networks as well as free domestic calls over Wi-Fi.

"We are focused on ensuring that our customers can enjoy all the benefits of their Vonage service from any location using any device that can access the Internet," said Michael Tempora, senior vice president of product management. "We will continue to expand our offerings in 2010 to include a robust set of voice and messaging services that utilize Wi-Fi and 3G wireless networks."

The Vonage Mobile application gives customers the flexibility to choose between Vonage World Mobile, which includes unlimited international calling to more than 60 countries, or Vonage Mobile Pay-Per-Use. Vonage Mobile Pay-Per-Use provides savings of more than 50% - compared to rates charged by wireless carriers - for calls to dozens of countries.

With Vonage Mobile, there are no access numbers or new phone numbers to give to friends and family. Customers simply enter an international number or select a contact from the existing contacts on a mobile device and hit send.

To follow Vonage on Twitter, please visit www.twitter.com/vonage_voice. To become a fan on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/vonage.

*iPhone allows calls on both cellular and Wi-Fi networks. BlackBerry allows calls over cellular networks. iPod touch allows calls over Wi-Fi networks. Service subject to minimum monthly usage fee, taxes and certain other fees. Forfeiture rules apply. See Terms of Service for details. There are important 911 limitations when using Vonage for Mobile service. See vonagemobile.com/tos for details.

T-Mobile and AT&T customers with Android phones can now finally download a Vonage VoIP app to their devices to make cheap international calls over Wi-Fi or 3G. They'll also get free domestic calls, but only over Wi-Fi.

Acrobat Connect Pro Mobile Brings Live Presentations to iPhone/iPodTouch

Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro gives you immediate access to meetings anytime, anywhere. You can watch and listen to live presentations including real-time presenter webcam video and screen sharing demonstrations. You can see the meeting attenders at any given time, and collaborate with others using live text chat. VoIP meeting audio will broadcast straight to your device over a WiFi or 3G connection, or the meeting host may give you the option to join a telephone conference call.

Acrobat Connect Pro Mobile Features:

• Attend Connect Pro Meetings with integrated conference call or Voice over IP audio. Let the meeting call you, and avoid entering cumbersome dialing codes.
• See who has joined the meeting, and their role (host, presenter, or attendee)
• View presentations, PDF documents, videos, and screen sharing provided by the meeting organizer. Rotate, pan, and zoom to choose your personal ‘best view’ of shared content
• View webcamera broadcasts from unlimited live camera feeds provided in the meeting
• Participate in Chat conversations throughout the meeting.
• Join meetings attended by users on virtually any computer system: Mac, Windows, Linux, and Solaris. As well as other mobile attendees on iPhone and iPod touch.

Pro Mobile lets you join meetings run by anyone with an Acrobat Connect Pro account. If you want to try hosting meetings for others to join on their iPhone or iPod touch. The App is Free, but you will need a Connect Pro Account, sign up for a FREE 30 DAY TRIAL here.

Acrobat Connect Pro Mobile is now available for the iPhone and iPod touch in the iTunes AppStore.

Verizon's Exclusive Deal With Skype May Deprive iPhone Users

Last week we saw Skype CEO Josh Silverman and Verizon CMO John Stratton announce a joint partnership between the two companies that would bring Skype's VoIP service to Verizon's SmartPhones.This would offer Verizon subscribers an easy and cheap way to make VoIP call over Verizon's 3G network.

There have been doubts raised about Verizon's take-away from the deal, which not only appears to be heavily benefiting Skype, but could also potentially cannibalize Verizon's own income from international calls.

This move, now appears, has been made out of Verizon's apprehensions over the threat from iPhone. According to Om Malik from GigaOm, there is a high possibility for the agreement to be an exclusive one. Malik's sources have also revealed that this partnership is likely to extend for 2-3 more years.

It is speculated that an exclusive Verizon-Skype deal could heavily dent the chances of Skype releasing an updated version of their VoIP iPhone application that works over 3G. Check out recent statements from David Ponsford of the Skype iPhone team who had assured that Skype's VoIP over

Saved

3G will be coming to the iPhone "real soon". Now with an exclusive deal in place, Verizon will ensure that iPhone customers are deprived of one of their long-standing requests to use Skype's VoIP service over AT&T's 3G network.

As you might know, Apple and AT&T have already opened up their network to allow VoIP iPhone apps to work over 3G. As a result, Skype's loss could be the gain for other similar applications like Fring, which has already launched their services over 3G for iPhone customers. Users who have jailbroken their iPhone, probably don't care as they're already using jailbreak apps like VoIPOver3G to use Skype's iPhone app over carrier's 3G network. So the move by Verizon appears to have come a tad too late. What do you think? Let us know your views in the comments.

Verizon Brings Skype To BlackBerry And Android

As rumored earlier, Verizon today at MWC 2010 announced its partnership with Skype and their joint ventured of bringing Skype Mobile to various Blackberry and Android devices sometime in March.
Skype Mobile Features Include:

• Make and receive unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls to any Skype user around the globe on America’s most reliable wireless network;
• Call international phone numbers at competitive Skype Out calling rates;
• Send and receive instant messages to other Skype users; and
• Remain always connected with the ability to see friends’ online presence.

Skype Mobile we be initially available on the Blackberry Storm, Storm2, 8330, 8530, 8830 and Tour 9630 as well as Verizon Android powered devices.

John Stratton, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless, said, “Skype mobile on Verizon Wireless changes the game. For Verizon Wireless’ more than 90 million customers, Skype mobile adds great value because we’re effectively giving customers with smartphones and data plans the option to extend their unlimited calling community to hundreds of millions of Skype users around the globe. And you’re not limited to using a single type of phone; we’ll have nine smartphones ready right at launch in March.”

Josh Silverman, chief executive officer of Skype, noted, “People want to take their Skype conversations with them wherever they go, whether it’s on a PC, TV or increasingly mobile phones. Verizon Wireless will give U.S. consumers the best Skype experience on mobile phones and will truly change the way people call their friends and family internationally.”

Customers interested in learning more about Skype mobile for Verizon Wireless smartphones can visit www.verizonwireless.com/skypemobile. Additional information about the service will be available next month.
Visit www.verizonwireless.com for more information about Verizon Wireless or follow the company at http://twitter.com/verizonwireless. Learn more and download Skype at www.skype.com or follow the company at http://twitter.com/skypemobile.

Skype for iPhone Coming Soon

As we all know, Apple has lifted the restrictions against making VoIP calls over a 3G connection, and a handful of apps have already made changes to their backend environment to support the technology to enable their users to take advantage of this feature. However, the most high-profile VoIP app on the App Store, Skype, has yet to release an update.

Skype has updated blog regarding their progress on enabling VoIP over 3G. According to the company, 3G calling is coming 'soon' along with a few other updates that will ensure that both the app itself and the calls it makes are in high-quality. The next Skype update will include a call quality indicator for the 3G network similar to the one they already have for Wi-Fi connections, of course depending on the strength of your network connection, the indicator will show green, yellow, or red, giving you a rough idea of what quality to expect out of calls on your current network. Skype is also working on implementing a 'wideband audio' codec for calls, which the company says will allow for 'CD quality sound' on Skype-to-Skype calls. As per the video below, however, this feature will only be coming to the iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch; probably that the iPhone 3G and original iPhone lack the processing power necessary to drive Skype's wideband audio codec.

Since the announcement of the lifting of VoIP over 3G restrictions, much speculation has surrounded the possible implementation of VoIP calls on the iPad. The iPad has a microphone, speaker, and Bluetooth, all of which, when paired with a very competitively priced pay-as-you-go and contract-free 3G data plan, make the iPad a very compelling alternative to the iPhone. Skype says it is indeed investigating a Skype for iPad app, but at this very early stage, no further details are available.

In the meantime, you can watch this brief video from the guys at Skype, where they discuss their progress on the app.

Dude, Where's My Skype?

 

It's been nearly a week since Apple lifted the restrictions against using VoIP over 3G to make calls on the iPhone. Within hours of the withdrawal of restrictions, iCall [iTunes Link] and Fring [iTunes Link] both flipped a switch on their backend to allow users to make calls over a 3G connection. In neither case was it even necessary to download an updated version of the app from the App Store.

What about Skype? Skype is apparently still 'awaiting clarification' from Apple. They want to make sure the updated terms of the iPhone OS 3.2 SDK also apply to the 3.12 SDK before they submit an update. This caution from Skype is somewhat puzzling considering at least two other apps have been approved and working with VoIP over 3G for almost a week without any issues; Fring even allows users to place VoIP calls over 3G through a Skype account.

We are still waiting for an update from the Skype support team, and hoping that Skype will soon be available in the App Store to compete with iCall and Fring who are already taking control of the market.