Software : You no longer need Skype to Skype |
| You no longer need Skype to Skype Posted:  Microsoft has just made Skype ubiquitous. The video chat application can now be used by anyone with internet access, even people who have never created a Skype account. The new feature, which enables Skype users to create a unique URL and share it with anyone on the internet, allows guest users to join group calls. The links, which can be sent in a variety of ways, including email, Facebook, and Twitter, allow people to access the video conferencing tool via Skype for Web. Additionally, the feature works for Mac, iOS, Android and Windows users. The only limitation, it seems, is that the feature is (as of today) available only for US and UK residents. However, Microsoft will make it available globally in the coming weeks, according to a company statement. The ironyNow that everyone can use Skype, it's funny to think back to three weeks ago, when no one was able to access the service for several hours. Of course, Microsoft acknowledged and fixed the bug in short order. Microsoft has worked diligently to build out Skype usage, including creating a universal app that provided a single user experience across all types of devices, enabling Skype to translate calls in real-time to six languages and giving access to business users on iOS devices. It is estimated that more than 300 million people use Skype, making it the 8th largest social network in the world, according to research firm Statista. |
| Pixelmator 3.4 offers image-editing with a twist Posted:  PIxelmator has announced version 3.4 'Twist' of its Mac-based image-editor. Pixelmator an inexpensive but powerful program with Photoshop-style layers, selection tools, effects and adjustments. Version 3.4 brings support for El Capitan and, specifically, for its Split View mode and Metal graphics technology. Metal greatly speeds up graphics-heavy processes, including those used by image-editing tools. Pixelmator 3.4 uses Metal to offer fast but powerful distortion effects similar to those in Photoshop's Liquify tool. The equally important story, though, is that these new Distort tools can also be accessed as an extension in Apple's Photos app. Extend and distortSoftware publisher MacPhun has already made some of its software work as Photos extensions as we've already reported, and Pixelmator's Distort extension works in the same way. To enable it, you first open an image for editing in Photos, then click the Extensions button at the bottom of the tools panel. To add an extension, you select 'More' from the drop-down menu and this opens El Capitan's Extensions panel. If you select 'Photos' from the list on the left, any compatible extensions will be displayed on the right – and you simply check the box next to those you want to appear on the Photos Extensions drop-down. The Pixelmator Distort window is pretty straightforward – you just see the image you're working on and a column of tools down the right hand side of the window: Warp, Bump, Pinch, Twirl Left, Twirl Right and Restore. They're pretty basic, but they are also straightforward and quick to use. There's no tedious waiting while the image redraws because the effect is visible instantly – so it's an easy matter to try an adjustment, undo it if it's not quite right, and try again. Pixelmator 3.4 is available exclusively from the Mac store at £22.99/US$29.99, but you can also get a 30-day free trial at www.pixelmator.com. Pixelmator 3.4 is a free update for existing users. See also: |
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