If you have been a loyal user of Skype, you have likely run into the hurdle of reaching a user when they are offline. While sending SMS messages often does the trick, sometimes a video message is just more convenient. The good news is that Skype has begun rolling out this feature in the form of an update for its Mac, iPhone and Android client, with support for other platforms such as Windows coming very soon.
HTC has been working its level best to generate some hype prior to the launch event of its new flagship 'One' device next week on February 19th, and among a flurry of leaks and sightings of the device, a couple of intriguing looking high-resolution images have also emerged. We've seen the HTC One in white a million times, but the new leak also depicts an accompanying black version, and although it's hard to make a judgment based on these shots alone, it certainly looks promising.
For avid smartphone users, these aren’t just devices for fun and entertainment. While smartphones are great at serving multiple purposes for making our lives generally easier, a lot of users opt for productivity apps designed for specific purposes. One of the most popular category in this genre are note-taking apps. Since all of use continuously have so much to remember – when to make a call, sending out that high-priority email, shopping lists, daily tasks and so much more – notes are a great way to keep track of what you’ve done, and what remains to be tended to.
Although the notion of Samsung joining the growing list of big-name companies purportedly delving into the smart watch market is not exactly news, yesterday, it was revealed that such a device could debut alongside the Galaxy S IV, whenever that may be. As a follow on from that story, SlashGear has caught wind of a few screenshots floating about a Korean message board which, it is claimed, offer an insight into the supposed smart watch, which is naturally being dubbed the 'Galaxy Watch'.
A new beta has been released of WhatsApp Messenger for Android featuring, among other things, a new, Holo-style theme much better suited to the general look and feel of Android in general. The app has, hitherto, looked like a straight port of its iOS cousin, but with the security issues of yesteryear now having been resolved with WhatsApp Messenger for Android, the developers behind the popular app can now focus on aesthetics and features.
When Apple introduced Siri, they started quite a war amongst and for other smartphone competitors to match the Cupertino giant’s virtual personal assistant. Android, being the biggest iOS counterpart, received the most share of such solutions, including the likes of S Voice from Samsung, and Google’s own Google Now – a real time, intelligent and location-aware service embedded within the Google Search app for Android. Over time, Google now has matured quite a lot, delivering the right information at the right time, letting you plan your commutes, flights, travel plans, day schedule and whatnot when you need it. Now, with the latest update to Google Now, Google has made the app all the more useful, introducing widget support for devices running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and above, as well as new information sources.
After the spec'd-out One X and One X+ failed to make the desired impression on an Android user base concerned primarily with Samsung-branded handsets, HTC is back with a new flagship device, and is doing its level best to gather some momentum behind it. The HTC One, which has been the subject of quite a few carefully-engineered leaks, is going to be showcased very, very soon - on February 19th, in fact - and in anticipation for its special launch event in New York City on that very date, the 'quietly brilliant' Taiwanese manufacturer has been running special promo page (complete with a countdown timer) on its Web page.
The Samsung Galaxy S IV is the smartphone nearly every Android fan is waiting to see this year, and according to a report over at SamMobile, the device will launch alongside a “mini” version of the revered handset, as well as a supposed "Galaxy Watch". The latter is being touted as a contender to the as-yet unannounced 'iWatch' from Apple, and with a mini version of the Galaxy S III having been in circulation for a number of months now, it's certainly plausible that both could accompany the main event.
Electronic Arts has announced that the third release from its popular Real Racing series will be landing at the Google Play Store for Android, and the App Store for iOS, as of the 28th February. The iPhone 5 launch gave us a glimpse of things to come from Real Racing 3, but while the snippets appeared remnant of Gran Turismo, fans have had to wait quite a while for a solid release date. Now, the wait appears to be almost over, and by the end of the month - provided no unforeseen delays crop up - the mobile arena's favorite racer will be back for a third lap.
BlueStacks has built its solid reputation on providing software which enables Android apps to run on a variety of different platforms besides Google's. With the Windows beta version released last year to some 5 million+ downloads and the OS X beta arriving just six weeks ago, the BlueStacks team has now compiled a version adapted to the relatively-new Windows 8 platform, as well as optimization for the Microsoft Surface Pro. Details after the break.

