Voice calls Archives

AppWizard

March 26, 2025

Discord unveils brand-new overlay for PC, promises better game support and performance

Discord has released a significant update to its PC client and overlay, featuring a complete overhaul aimed at improving user experience. The overlay has been rebuilt for smoother interactions during gameplay, with a new rendering method that enhances performance and expands compatibility with a wider range of games. The desktop client now offers four themes (Light, Ash, Dark, and Onyx) and three UI density settings, along with resizable server channels and improved voice and video settings. A new widget-based overlay allows for customizable positioning of settings, and an action bar simplifies the management of voice and video controls. The update is being rolled out to PC users, and a restart of the app may be required to access the latest version.

AppWizard

March 26, 2025

What is Signal?

A magazine journalist was unexpectedly included in a group chat of U.S. national security officials on the Signal messaging app, just hours before President Donald Trump authorized airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The National Security Council is investigating how the journalist's phone number was added to this secure communication channel. Signal is an application that supports direct messaging, group chats, and voice and video calls, employing end-to-end encryption. It allows for group chats of up to 1,000 participants and includes a feature for messages to self-destruct after a set period. Signal is considered secure but not immune to hacking, and it raises concerns about compliance with open records laws. Government officials are increasingly using encrypted messaging applications, with many having accounts linked to government-issued and personal cell phones. Signal was created by Moxie Marlinspike, who combined two open-source applications, and is overseen by the nonprofit Signal Foundation, which operates without advertisers or investors.

AppWizard

March 26, 2025

What is Signal? 5 things to know about the app used in Trump administration war plans leak

Sensitive military strategies regarding Iranian-backed militants in Yemen were inadvertently disclosed to journalist Jeffrey Goldberg when he was included in a group chat on Signal with Trump administration officials, including Mike Waltz, Pete Hegseth, JD Vance, Marco Rubio, and Tulsi Gabbard. The White House National Security Council confirmed the authenticity of the chat. Hegseth stated that “Nobody was texting war plans.” President Trump expressed discontent with The Atlantic regarding the incident. The situation has prompted calls for accountability from Democratic lawmakers. Moxie Marlinspike, co-founder of Signal's parent company, highlighted the app's unexpected role in military coordination. Signal is a free, open-source messaging application with end-to-end encryption that accommodates up to 40 participants and supports various media formats. Originally developed by Whisper Systems, it emerged from two separate applications: RedPhone and TextSecure. Signal is popular among activists, politicians, and journalists for secure communication, but its use for government communications may violate the Presidential Records Act and the Federal Records Act, which require that official communications be preserved. Messages in the military strategy chat were set to disappear after a week, raising questions about record-keeping compliance.

AppWizard

March 25, 2025

Discord revamps overlay and desktop to make PC gaming easier

Discord has released updates for its desktop application to improve the gaming experience for PC players. The new Game Overlay has been redesigned for better performance and now includes individual widgets for easier access to voice and video controls, as well as the ability to view friends' game streams. The update supports a wider range of games and includes a help section for users. Additionally, the desktop interface has been refreshed with new customization options, including four free themes and three UI Density settings. Users can now resize the channel list for better navigation, and there are improved controls for voice and video during calls, along with enhanced visual indicators for active devices. These updates aim to enhance legibility and reduce visual clutter, with ongoing improvements planned throughout the year.

AppWizard

March 25, 2025

Factbox-What to know about Signal messaging app used by Trump aides to share war plans

Top officials from the Trump administration included a journalist in a private chat on Signal while discussing sensitive military strategies, leading to calls from Democratic lawmakers for a congressional investigation into a potential security breach. Under U.S. law, mishandling classified information can result in criminal charges, although it is unclear if violations occurred in this case. Signal is a secure messaging app known for its end-to-end encryption and privacy features, not tracking or storing user data. Founded in 2012 by Moxie Marlinspike, Signal operates independently and is overseen by Meredith Whittaker. It has gained popularity among journalists, government agencies, and organizations, particularly after concerns over other messaging platforms' privacy policies. The app is recognized as a secure method for whistleblowers to communicate confidentially. Despite its security reputation, some analysts question its suitability for national security discussions.

AppWizard

March 1, 2025

Popular messenger closes forever after 20 years of operation

Skype will be shut down in May. Microsoft Teams is being promoted as the alternative platform for calls and chats. Skype was launched in 2003, acquired by Microsoft in 2011, and has undergone various changes, including the discontinuation of Skype for Business. Despite updates, Skype struggled to achieve significant success compared to competitors. Microsoft Teams, introduced in 2017, combines various communication features and is integrated with Microsoft 365 services, targeting both business and educational users.

AppWizard

December 24, 2024

Russian authorities reportedly weigh blocking messaging app calls

Russia's Digital Development Ministry and the federal censorship agency Roskomnadzor are considering changes to the regulation of voice calls through messaging apps to address rising fraud. They are evaluating a potential ban on such calls or restrictions on those originating from abroad, as around 40% of calls through these platforms are fraudulent, with 70% traced to foreign numbers. Telecom operators have expressed concerns about their inability to block these calls independently and are seeking collaboration with Roskomnadzor and messaging app developers. Roskomnadzor has the technological means to block calls if apps violate Russian law, but the Digital Development Ministry is not currently drafting regulations to restrict voice traffic on messaging apps and remains open to industry proposals.

AppWizard

December 24, 2024

Russia considers complete ban on calls in messaging apps

The Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, along with Roskomnadzor, is considering imposing restrictions on voice calls made through messaging applications due to a rise in fraudulent activities. Two scenarios being evaluated include blocking voice traffic from abroad and a complete ban on voice calls within these apps. Roskomnadzor has acknowledged its authority to restrict such calls if they violate Russian law but the Ministry has stated it is not currently drafting regulations for this purpose. Fraudulent calls via messaging apps have surged to about 40% of total traffic, up from 1% three years ago. MegaFon, Russia's second-largest mobile operator, has stated it lacks the technical capabilities to analyze calls from these apps and suggests that additional software on users' smartphones is the only effective way to mitigate fraudulent calls.

AppWizard

November 12, 2024

Android 16 could add a system-wide audio input switcher

Android devices have built-in microphones for voice calls and audio recording, but their quality varies by model. Many users seek external microphones for better audio quality, yet most Android apps do not support recording through them. Currently, audio input selection is limited to individual applications, which can be frustrating. Google has allowed developers to implement microphone settings via the MediaRecorder API, resulting in some apps offering input selection options. Android 16 may introduce a system-wide audio input switcher, allowing users to change the audio input device across all applications. This feature is currently in development and was discovered in the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 release, though it is not yet functional. The anticipated release of Android 16 is in Q2 of 2025.

Winsage

October 17, 2024

The New Windows 11 24H2 Version Is Out, Here’s What’s Changed on Our Computers – Jason Deegan

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Version 24H2, featuring significant updates including: - Enhanced Energy Saver Mode that optimizes battery life for laptops by limiting background processes and reducing CPU usage. - Improved smartphone integration through the updated "Phone Link" app, allowing smartphones to be used as webcams and providing quick access to mobile app features from the desktop. - A more customizable Start menu, enabling users to pin applications to the taskbar and access Microsoft account information directly. - Noteworthy enhancements to File Explorer, including native support for 7zip and TAR formats, performance optimizations for ZIP file extraction, and improved navigation features. - A more user-friendly Quick Settings menu with easier scrolling, customizable arrangements, and a refresh button for Wi-Fi networks. - Support for HDR wallpapers, allowing the use of .JXR format images and automatic adjustments between HDR and SDR displays. - Support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth LE Audio, enhancing connectivity options and introducing features for hearing aid users. - Voice Clarity feature that reduces background noise during voice calls using AI technology. - New Copilot+ features, including voice interaction, personalized news summaries, enhanced AI capabilities for complex queries, smarter browsing in Edge, and improved memory function for sensitive data. Users can manually initiate the update by navigating to Settings > Update & Security if it does not prompt automatically.