Google Video Chat App: Duo

Google in its blog a few days back, announced the release of it much anticipated video calling app, Duo.

Duo takes Video calling to a new level with its simplicity, reliability and an awesome feature called “Knock Knock”

Knock Knock enables users to know what the caller is up to before they answer the call. This feature is just the real deal.

Duo as expected is cross platform and is currently available for iOS and Android devices.

In terms of reliability while making calls, Google stated that Duo is quite reliable, it switches smoothly between Wi-Fi and data automatically while making phone calls without you noticing the change and also, call quality adjusts to changing network conditions to keep you connected especially when bandwidth is limited.

INSTAGRAM VIDEOS now LONGER

Instagram stated on their blog that they would be bringing longer videos to the platform.

Users have been restricted to just 15 seconds of videos ever since the feature was launched in 2013. Even with the fact that it was just 15 seconds, users have become so creative with the ample time provided. With the launch of this new feature, we should be seeing loads of more fun stuffs to whirl with.

It was stated that in order to bring more fun, flexibility and creativity, they would be increasing the video time to 60 seconds.

It was also stated that in order to achieve their commitment to users, this is just a tip of the ice berg.

Good news to iOS platform users, as Instagram would be bringing back the ability to make videos out of multiple clips from your camera roll.

Longer video on Instagram begins rolling out today and will be available for everyone in the coming months. Multi-clip video is available this week as part of Instagram for iOS version 7.19.

AIRTEL smartNUMBER: One Phone! One SIM Card! Two Numbers!!

Airtel has launched another first. It’s called the smartNUMBER.

smartNUMBER enables you to activate and use two numbers on a single which makes it easier to separate numbers for various purposes like ‘business and personal’ while making use of a single phone, and a single SIM card.

FEATURES

This package is available to prepaid and postpaid subscribers.

It gives you the ability to define when you want the Smart Number to be active and reachable, blacklist certain numbers from reaching you, select numbers you want to reach you even if you are logged off and all SMS through(from and to) your Smart Number is backed up and available on a secured web portal.

HOW IT WORKS

• HOW TO SUBSCRIBE
• Dial 618 from your Airtel Line, and follow the menu option to subscribe and manage the service.

                                                            Or

• Send the keyword SUB to 619 from your Airtel line, reply with 1 or 2 to choose either the ‘basic’ or ‘plus’ package.

Either one you choose, you would be allocated a smartNUMBER.

• CALL

• When someone calls your Smart Number, it will ring on your primary line
• To make a call from your Smart Number, use ‘66’ before the number you wish to call.

• SMS

• SMS’s sent to your Smart Number will also come to your primary line.
• To send an SMS from your Smart Number, use ‘66’ before the number you wish to text.

• All CALLs and SMS on your Smart Number will be billed from your main number and it is at the same rate.

COST

Service Features	Basic	Plus
Monthly Price	N150	N250
Log On/Off	YES	YES
SMS Signatures	YES	YES
Call Block/Exception List	YES	YES
SMS Web Backup	NO	YES
Conference Call	NO	YES

MICROSOFT TO BUY YAHOO

Yahoo over the past few years has been struggling to keep up with Alphabet Inc’s Google and Facebook Inc in the battle for online advertisers. In the wake of this, it has decided to auction its core Internet business, which includes search, mail and new sites.

Sources report that, Microsoft executives are in early talks with potential Yahoo Inc investors about contributing to financing to buy the troubled Internet company.

Though it was added that the talks are preliminary, it was also noted that Microsoft is focused on preserving the relationship between the two companies. Microsoft is focused on preserving the relationship between the two companies. Microsoft and Yahoo have longstanding search and advertising agreements.

A number of firms have shown interest in the Yahoo deal and have approached Microsoft. Microsoft declined to comment.

Verizon’s chief Financial Financial Officer Fran Shammo said in December that the U.S. wireless carrier could look at buying Yahoo’s core business if it was a good fit.

Activist hedge fund Starboard Value LP moved on Thursday to overthrow the entire board of Yahoo, including Chief Executive Marissa Mayers, who has struggled to turn the company around in her nearly four years at the helm.

This would not be the first time Microsoft would be showing interest in buying Yahoo. In 2008, Steve Ballmer tried unsuccessfully to buy Yahoo for about $45 billion.