Skype to bring video chat to Apple devices in January 2011
Looks like Skype is headed straight to Apple territory as rumors are intensifying that the company is planning to unveil its own video-chat feature for its mobile apps at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in January.
An FAQ page reportedly published on the Skype site said that video calls on a device like Apple’s iPhone could transpire over both a user’s 3G and Wi-Fi connections. This would be actually an upgrade from FaceTime, which only officially works across one’s Wi-Fi connection.
According to the now removed FAQ page, the new version of Skype supporting video chat would only work on iOS 4.0 or higher, as well as an iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, a third- or fourth-generation iPod Touch, or an iPad. Users would allegedly be able to hit up video chats with their PC or Mac counterparts. There was no mention however of whether the FaceTime alternative will initially work with, or even be available for Android-based Skype apps.
Mobile users would also allegedly be able to receive screen-sharing from desktop or laptop Skype users. Those with devices like the iPhone 4 and its dual-facing cameras would be able to instantly switch the picture between the two by tapping controls on the screen.
While the FAQ made reference to the aforementioned iPad, it’s not clear whether Skype’s video-chat debut will beat Apple’s own iPad chatting upgrade.
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Google TV Steps in, Forces Logitech to Delay Revue Set-Top
Reports are circulating about delays hitting Logitech’s Revue, a set-top box that have been called by some as an active competitor to the Apple TV. And if rumors are to be believed, Google itself has stepped in and has asked the company to suspend production. This in the hopes that the company can finish tweaking its Google TV software by the time the new expected shipping date of January 2011 rolls around.
If these rumors are true, it would be the second set of products that Google has asked manufacturers to delay as a result of Google TV not being ready to ship out. The New York Times has reported that Google has allegedly asked Sharp, LG Electronics, and Toshiba—amongst other television manufacturers—to delay launching any Google TV-based sets for the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in January.
“Rumors and speculation,” was what a Google spokeswoman told the Times in answer to the report.
While Sony has started shipping Google-TV-backed televisions to consumers in October, it clearly has not made any dent to Apple’s domination in the market as sales of its competing Apple TV device surged to one million units. Apple is not alone at the top though as Roku, a manufacturer of TV set-top boxes since 2008—is reportedly on-track to sell its millionth device as well by the end of 2010.
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Kindle is the Bestselling Product in Amazon.com’s history
Amazon.com Inc. has announced that its third-generation Kindle is now the best-selling product in its history, taking the title from the book “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” though the online retail giant did not disclose the number of units sold.
Amazon said that on its peak day, Nov. 29, also known as “Cyber Monday,” customers ordered more than 13.7 million items, up 44% from its peak day a year earlier, when customers ordered more than 9.5 million items.
9 million units were shipped on its peak day this year, up 29%, according to the company.
Amazon previously has declared the third-generation Kindle as the fastest selling version of its e-readers, which went on sale in August. It also included an entry-level model that retails for $139, its lowest price yet.
