Instant messaging has been around for a long time, and while it's changed a lot since the early days in the 90's, its still one of the most popular methods for communicating. Why? This infographic provides some insight into what instant messaging apps are popular worldwide; who uses them and how … [Read more...]
Windows Messenger is Dead… Long Live Skype
What began many years ago as Microsoft Messenger and evolved into Windows Live Messenger (or simply, WLM) is now being put to rest. Microsoft has officially announced that Skype will now officially replace Messenger for instant messaging, audio and video calling. As of sometime in the first quarter … [Read more...]
Trillian and the Continuous Client
One of the frustrations with using various devices is that they don't always play nicely with each other. For instance, wouldn't it be nice if I could start an instant messaging conversation at work, continue it after I leave using my iPhone, and pick right up where I left off on my Mac Mini when I … [Read more...]
Happy Birthday, Meebo
Back in 2005, multi-network instant messaging via the web was an emerging technology. Before then, you pretty much were limited to either running multiple desktop programs -- one for AIM, another for Yahoo and still another for what was then called MSN Messenger -- or a third-party desktop program … [Read more...]
Windows Live Essentials Wave 4 Beta
The Windows Live Essentials beta is now available for download. I’ve had a chance to kick the tires on this one and I must say it’s a nice improvement. While the Essentials download includes such applications as Movie Maker and Photo Gallery - my two favorites are Windows Live Writer and Windows … [Read more...]
ChatRoulette and “Nexting”
If you haven't heard of it, ChatRoulette is an up-and-coming webcam service that connects you to a random webcammer that could be located anywhere around the world. It's a Flash-based website, so as long as you've got a webcam and Flash, you won't need to install any software. Casey Neistat was … [Read more...]
Who Blocked Me?
It’s one of those questions that just never seems to go away…."Who has blocked me on [insert your favorite instant messenger program here]?" My answer is short and sweet - you can’t know, you’ll never know, and your contacts have their right to privacy. That last bit alone is enough to generate … [Read more...]
A Love Story in Emoticons
Storyteller and poet Rives tells a three-minute love story with a twist -- it's all done with emoticons. A very clever video presentation given at TED, worth a watch. Rives is a regular on HBO's Def Poetry Jam and starts in the Bravo special "Ironic Iconic America." … [Read more...]
Skype for SIP beta now open
Skype has expanded testing of their Skype for SIP beta, opening it to any interested business. What is Skype for SIP? Skype for SIP allows businesses to integrate Skype VoiP calls with supported PBX systems. This allows employees to make regular calls from their desktop phone, and behind the … [Read more...]
10,000 Hotmail Accounts Hacked
From the Windows Live Team blog: Over the weekend Microsoft learned that several thousand Windows Live Hotmail customers’ credentials were exposed on a third-party site due to a likely phishing scheme. One site indicated more than 10,000 Hotmail credentials may have been compromised. Translation: … [Read more...]