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Communicate with Messenger friends on Skype

On November 6, 2012, Microsoft announced that it would be discontinuing its Windows Live Messenger client. This news falls in line with Microsoft's acquisition of Skype -- making it the company's go-to instant-message client after the first quarter of 2013. Migrating to Skype will make video calling easier, allow you to share your screen, make group calls, integrate Facebook, and add better mobile compatibility.

Looking to get a head start on merging your contact lists so you don't risk missing anyone after Messenger is retired? Just follow these quick steps:

Before getting started, you'll need to … Read more

Chat, transfer files, and make VoIP calls from Google Talk

Google Talk is an instant-messaging service from Google that you can use to send messages, files, or e-mail or make VoIP calls to people on your contact list. Since Google Talk is based on an open protocol (XMPP), it can be used to connect to any device that supports this protocol; this currently means Windows, Android, and BlackBerry devices, although other clients are bound to appear soon.

Google Talk reads your Gmail contact list, and the tight integration between Google Talk and Gmail allows you to send IMs to contacts in your Gmail account. Any chat conversations you have through … Read more

No account needed messaging app with some nice features

WhatsApp Messenger is an iOS (and other platform) messaging app that allows notifications to be pushed instantly. It doesn't require usernames or logins, using just your phone number as your unique ID. And, unlike some messenger apps, WhatsApp Messenger is always on. The download is fast and the install is easy.

WhatsApp Messenger has an pretty standard interface with a list of clients and a chat window for each ongoing chat session. A neat feature is setting up group chats and being able to share video and music with others at the same time. Since WhatsApp Messenger uses your … Read more

Chat app used by activists has security flaws, say critics

Several bloggers allege that the WhatsApp mobile chat program has weak security that puts users, which include human-rights activists, at risk.

In a series of posts on blogs and public Web pages, security and mobile researchers have been piling on the criticism of WhatsApp. Unfortunately, representatives of WhatsApp have not commented on the recent allegations, though criticism cropped up in May and even last year. WhatsApp did not respond to an e-mail from CNET seeking comment today. The company is unlisted in the San Francisco phone directory. We will update this post if we hear back.

The main complaints with … Read more

Translate within your browser with ImTranslator for Firefox

If you frequently access Web content in a language other than your mother tongue, you know how important it is to have a good translator handy. Firefox users should try ImTranslator for Firefox, a browser extension that makes it easy to access translations between numerous different languages. With a comprehensive set of translation tools, ImTranslator for Firefox is a great choice for both new-language learns and experienced polyglots who need a hand now and then.

Like most Firefox extensions, ImTranslator required a browser restart to complete installation. Once the extension was installed, we were able to access it both from … Read more

Skype for Windows Phone gets minor enhancements and fixes

Skype for Windows Phone received an update today that makes some minor improvements to smooth the experience for users of the VoIP service Microsoft acquired last year.

The changes to the app include enhancements to the contact list, which now displays all contacts that have at least one phone number in the list. You'll also now be able to edit a phone number using the dial-pad before making a call.

The release comes with some minor bug fixes as well. An issue that would end a Skype call if another incoming call or a calendar notification came up has … Read more

Google buys Meebo to bolster Google+

It looks like the rumors were true: Google has picked up Web IM company Meebo.

Meebo announced the news in a blog post today (which was brought to our attention by TechCrunch):

We are happy to announce that Meebo has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Google!

For more than seven years we've been helping publishers find deeper relationships with their users and to make their sites more social and engaging. Together with Google, we're super jazzed to roll up our sleeves and get cracking on even bigger and better ways to help users and Web … Read more

Add floating IM windows to your Android tablet

Tired of switching between apps to talk to friends while using other apps or surfing the Web on your Android tablet? LilyPad HD seeks to solve that problem by making your instant message windows float above your other apps.

Instead of getting an alert for a new message in the notification area, you will see new messages as they appear in the IM window. It works just like GTalk or AIM would on your computer, except the windows are always on top unless you minimize or close them. At the present time, LilyPad HD only supports GTalk and … Read more

Instant messaging from Facebook

You won't find any revolutionary features with Facebook Chat IM, a free instant messaging program, but it does give you a way to easily interface with your Facebook friends.

The free instant messaging tool presents an interface that anyone who has used an IM program will understand. Even those with no experience using an instant messenger will find the simple, clean interface easy to follow. There's a field for your message, a Send button -- all you need to instantly keep up with what your Facebook pals are doing. And you'll find all the staples of instant … Read more