messenger

Make free voice calls on Facebook's app

Thursday's CNET Update does exist:

Stories from today's tech news roundup:

- Facebook updated its Messenger app for the iPhone and iPod Touch, allowing people in the U.S. to make voice calls through a Wi-Fi or data connection.

- iPhone users can finally buy music from Amazon from their device. Amazon launched its mp3 store for iPhone and iPod Touch users, but the catch is that purchases must be made through the Web browser, at amazon.com/mp3. And the songs can be played on the Amazon Cloud Player app.

- The cloud storage service MediaFire is now available for Android … Read more

Facebook dials up teens, cheapskates with free calling

Calling all teens and cheapskates, Facebook has updated its Messenger for iPhone application to allow people in the U.S. to make free voice calls to their social network friends.

Facebook members with Messenger for iPhone will find a "Free Call" button located on friends' contact info pages inside the application. A click of the button will dial up the contact in question over Wi-Fi or your phone's data connection.

Facebook started rolling out voice calls to its U.S. members today, according to The Verge. The voice-over-IP feature was first made available to Canadian users in … Read more

Predicting the next big thing up Mark Zuckerberg's sleeve

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg won't be phoning it in tomorrow when he shows off something rumored to be quite grand.

Will he unveil a Facebook phone, a search engine, a reimagined version of the mobile News Feed, a measly Messenger app for iPad, or all of the above? Anything seems possible at this point. Perhaps, the only thing we know for certain is what he will be wearing: jeans, his characteristic tee, and maybe even that famous hoodie.

CNET will be live-blogging the news as it happens at 10 a.m. PT. Until then, we've rounded up the … Read more

Microsoft's Messenger service to live on

Microsoft's Messenger service will survive despite the upcoming death of the Live Messenger client.

Earlier this week, Microsoft announced that it would retire its Live Messenger client on March 15, forcing users to move to Skype for their IM needs. Since buying Skype in 2011, Microsoft has continually tweaked the VoIP service, which now supports Microsoft account logins and integrates with Outlook.

But the Messenger service that supports Live Messenger isn't going away, at least not anytime soon, according to blog site ArsTechnica.

Messenger uses two network protocols that allow third parties applications to tap into its service. … Read more

Chikka Text Messenger failed to work

Text messaging can add up very quickly, even if you have a plan through your phone service provider. For users in the Philippines, Chikka Text Messenger claims to offer free text messaging, but, sadly, we never made it past the Sign In page to find out how it performs.

To start, Chikka asks for access to your Contacts, which is typical of these types of apps. If you don't already have a Chikka account, you'll have to create one by using your Globe, Smart, or Sun mobile phone to register, or by entering your e-mail address. Because we … Read more

Microsoft to kill the Messenger on March 15

Beware the Ides of March if you are a user of Microsoft's Windows Messenger Live.

Microsoft announced last November it would soon retire its instant messaging client in favor Skype, which Microsoft acquired in October 2011. Today it began informing Messenger users that the service would go dark for the majority of users on March 15.

Hello,On 15th March 2013 we are retiring the existing Messenger service globally (except for mainland China where Messenger will continue to be available) and bringing the great features of Messenger and Skype together. Update to Skype and sign in using a Microsoft … Read more

Chat faster with Kik Messenger's Android app

Kik Messenger is a popular cross-platform chat app. OK, so that describes a lot of tools. But Kik's kicker is speed: It boasts some of the fastest notification and messaging hookups in the chat universe. Like similar apps, Kik Messenger makes it easy to find and add friends, share photos, and set up Group Chat sessions. We tried Kik Messenger's free Android app.

It's easy to install and set up Kik Messenger, even if you need to create a new account, though the ability to sign up via your Facebook account (as some other chat apps have) … Read more

Facebook tests VoIP, adds voice mail-like service

iPhone users in Canada can now use Facebook to make voice calls, the social network revealed today.

The company is testing the ability to make VoIP calls -- the same service Skype provides -- using its Messenger app. Those in Canada can start a call with a contact by tapping the "i" button in the top right corner and hit "Free Call." Users will have to update the app to the version available today to use the feature and the voice call uses existing data plans.

While Canadians can experience actual voice calls, Facebook is giving … Read more

Send text messages to the Philippines with Chikka Text Messenger

Sending and receiving text messages can be problematic and costly when your destination is the Philippines. Chikka Text Messenger solves this dilemma for you by providing a communication hub via online servers.

The application loads quite quickly and the account setup is simple as well. If you possess a Globe, Smart, or Sun mobile phone you may simply enter your phone number and password. All other phone providers must set up an account with a valid e-mail address. Chikka Text Messenger is free for the user who installs it. However, there is a nominal fee for the phone responding to … Read more