calls Archives

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

A personal goodbye to Skype; the app that connected worlds

Skype has officially ceased to exist as of today. It was introduced in 2011-2012 as a more robust alternative to MSN Messenger, allowing for group calls and video interactions. Skype served as a platform for social interactions, job interviews, and long-distance communication. Over time, users shifted to alternatives like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Zoom, especially during the pandemic, leading Microsoft to integrate Skype's features into its Teams platform. Despite its decline, Skype remains a symbol of a bygone era, representing significant moments and connections in users' lives.

Winsage

May 6, 2025

Expanding the Surface for Business Copilot+ PC portfolio

AI has evolved into a transformative force for organizations, increasing the demand for secure and high-performance AI-ready Windows 11 PCs. Microsoft has introduced Copilot+ PCs, including the new 12-inch Surface Pro and 13-inch Surface Laptop, both powered by the Snapdragon X Plus processor with an integrated neural processing unit (NPU) capable of 45 trillion operations per second. The 13-inch Surface Laptop offers up to 23 hours of video playback and 16 hours of web browsing, with performance enhancements of up to 50% faster speeds and double the battery life compared to its predecessor. It features an AI-enhanced 1080p front camera for video conferencing and a durable design. The 12-inch Surface Pro is the thinnest and lightest Copilot+ PC, providing 50% faster performance and up to 16 hours of local video playback. Both devices are designed as Secured-core PCs with advanced security features, including Windows Hello for Business and biometric authentication options. They support enhanced productivity through AI features in Windows 11 and Microsoft 365 Copilot, enabling faster file searches and improved team efficiency. Microsoft emphasizes sustainability with the use of recycled materials and energy-efficient designs. The new devices will be available starting July 22 in select markets.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Mike Waltz’s Cabinet Messaging App Goes Dark After Massive Hack

TeleMessage, an encrypted messaging application, has temporarily suspended its services following a security breach. The platform was used by dismissed national security adviser Mike Waltz during a Cabinet meeting, and a leaked image of his inbox showed conversations with notable figures such as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The breach, reported by 404 Media, did not access messages among Cabinet members but compromised data from Customs and Border Protection, cryptocurrency firm Coinbase, and various financial institutions. The hacker claimed the breach was easy, completing it within 15-20 minutes. Signal, the platform from which TeleMessage archives messages, stated it cannot guarantee the security of unofficial versions. TeleMessage was acquired by U.S. company Smarsh last year for archiving communications. Following controversies, including Waltz's accidental inclusion in a group chat discussing a military operation, he was removed from his position, and President Trump expressed skepticism about using Signal for government communications.

Winsage

May 4, 2025

Code Smell 298 – How to Fix Microsoft Windows Time Waste

Conditional logic in software development can obscure critical signals, leading to issues such as user delays, poor experiences, unpredictable timeouts, incomplete initialization, hidden dependencies, policy mismanagement, silent failures, and backward compatibility breaks. Solutions include validating all code paths, utilizing default reporting mechanisms, conducting rigorous edge case testing, refactoring policy checks early, implementing performance tests, and positioning reports outside of conditionals. A specific example is provided where Windows 7 had slower login times due to a failure to signal readiness when users selected a solid color background instead of a wallpaper image. This oversight resulted in a 30-second wait instead of a 5-second login process. Effective software design requires consideration of all potential code paths to avoid technical debt and performance issues. Static analysis tools can help identify critical reporting calls guarded by conditionals, and code reviews should ensure all initialization paths signal completion. The correspondence between real-world states and program states is crucial for maintaining user trust in the system. AI generators may inadvertently introduce issues by wrapping legacy code in conditionals without validating all paths.

Tech Optimizer

May 3, 2025

Extend the Amazon Q Developer CLI with Model Context Protocol (MCP) for Richer Context

Amazon Q Developer has introduced support for the Model Context Protocol (MCP) in its command line interface (CLI), enabling developers to connect external data sources for more context-aware responses. This enhancement allows access to pre-built integrations and MCP servers, improving code accuracy, data comprehension, unit test generation, database documentation, and query execution without custom integration code. MCP serves as an open protocol that standardizes application integration with large language models (LLMs). Developers can configure MCP servers in a file named mcp.json, which can be stored in the home directory or project root. After implementing MCP, Q Developer can effectively explore database schemas and execute complex SQL queries, significantly enhancing the development experience.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

Google Voice adds three-way calling support alongside its interface rework

Google has introduced a new update for its Voice app that enables three-way calling for Workspace subscription holders, allowing users to create conference calls by adding another participant. The update includes a refreshed user interface with more accessible key tools for managing calls, such as prominently displayed "Add" and "Merge" options. This feature is available to Google Workspace customers on Voice Starter, Voice Standard, and Voice Premier plans, as well as SIP Link Standard and SIP Link Premier customers. The rollout began on May 1 and is expected to reach all Google Voice users within approximately 15 days. Earlier in February, Google Voice added a "call delegation" feature, allowing users to transfer calls to another person with options for immediate transfer or confirmation before proceeding, including the ability to transfer calls from personal accounts to paid enterprise accounts.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

How to enable Truecaller’s widget on Android

After integrating Truecaller's widget onto your home screen, you can explore features such as reviewing recent calls and accessing contacts directly from the widget. Adjusting these settings allows you to tailor the widget's performance to your daily requirements.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

AI Inside the Messenger: How Gem Space Helps with Everyday Tasks

Gem Space is a multifunctional super app that integrates messaging, news feeds, AI tools, and various features to enhance productivity. It allows users to manage tasks from a single platform, utilizing AI for tasks like drafting emails, translating messages in real-time, and transcribing voice messages. Users can create content quickly within the app and receive curated news tailored to their interests. Additionally, it offers gift suggestions through its built-in AI and is testing a marketplace for delivery across Russia. The app aims to simplify daily tasks and improve work-life balance.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

ZeniMax union expresses frustration at parent company Microsoft

Staff at ZeniMax Media are frustrated with delays in negotiations with Microsoft, as they have not secured a union contract nearly two years after forming the ZeniMax Workers United bargaining unit. This situation follows a labor neutrality agreement between Microsoft and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) made almost three years ago. Employees, including senior QA tester Autumn Mitchell, express dissatisfaction with Microsoft's public image versus their experiences during negotiations. CWA chief of staff Sylvia J. Ramos emphasizes the need for Microsoft to prioritize contract negotiations. A Microsoft representative stated the company's commitment to reaching a fair resolution.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

How to use Truecaller efficiently on Android

Truecaller is an application for identifying unknown callers and blocking spam calls. To optimize its performance on Android, users should regularly update the app, customize settings for notifications and privacy, enable the Caller ID feature, utilize the spam blocking feature, and report spam numbers to improve the app's database.