GeekSugar

Secrets to Nailing That Skype Interview

SavvySugar — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 05:00:37 PDT

You finally get a call back from the job you applied for in another state. They love you, but don't have the budget to fly you out for an interview; they want to interview you over Skype. It's a scenario that's happening more and more these days because it helps employers cut costs and save time. I know I've talked about how to knock your interviewer out on the phone, so I'm now giving you great tips that are guaranteed to blow your questioner's socks away via webcam.

Facebook Announces Video Calling With Skype, Group Chat, New Chat Design

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:54:46 PDT

Mark Zuckerberg announced a few new features coming to Facebook this morning live in Palo Alto: group chat (along with a new chat design) and video calling with Skype integration. After a brief overview of the current state of Facebook (its now at over 750 million users), Mark got into the details of all three of these items. Find out more about each one below.

Video Calling

In a partnership with Skype, Facebook will allow video calling to other Facebook users for free. Using video calling is simple: log in to Facebook, select a friend to video chat with, then select the "Start a Video Call" button. Video calling will be one on one, unlike Google+ which allows you to video chat with up to 10 people at once. Good news is, even if your chat partner doesn't have the proper plug-ins installed, Facebook will automatically detect this, and install the appropriate software instantly. Software engineer Philip Su emphasized how simple it is to make video calls on Facebook, which will make it easy for people of all ages to see friends and family face to face. Video calling is rolling out today.

Learn more about group chat and the new chat design after the break.

Connect With Your Facebook Friends Via Skype

GeekSugar — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:30:36 PDT

Skype has just announced the release of Skype 5.5 Beta version for Windows, which will enable users to connect with Facebook friends and family.

How does it work? A Facebook contacts tab will appear on the side bar, and users can instant message directly from Skype. In addition, you can view your newsfeed and "likes," and comment on your friends' Facebook statuses. A final version will roll out later this month, but, in the meantime, you can test this version out.

Group Therapy: Awkward Aftermath of Skype Truth or Dare

Tres Community — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 02:00:54 PST

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

I was chatting with my friends from another state for the second time via Skype. Everything was fine and fun until they proposed truth or dare. I chose truth and they chose dare so I dared them, the two guys, to peck on the lips. (There are 4 guys there.)

Anyways, after the one guy that I never knew until that night dared me to take off my shirt. It made things REALLY REALLY awkward. The only good part of the story is that the guy I have been digging on (despite the fact he lives so far away) was like, "No man I'd feel like a douche. Plus she's like my friend! I'm going to leave the room if she does it."

But I did not flash them because that would have been very weird. Anyway, the conversation died after I stalled for time and said no. It was complete silence so I quickly escaped! The guy that I said I was digging on, messaged me apologizing after. I don't even know how to react to this situation? Could I ever Skype with them again after this awkward occurrence? I need advice and input people!

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

Losing Your iPhone Doesn't Have to Hurt: 3 Survival Tips

Michele Foley — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 03:00:45 PST

This weekend was not pretty for me - I lost my iPhone. Now that the initial panic has subsided, and the pangs of withdrawal are gone, I'm doing OK. I'm getting a new iPhone next week, and unlike my landline- and voicemail-only days, not having a cell phone doesn't mean lugging a roll of quarters and an address book around. Besides email, here's how I'm staying connected:

Gmail's "Call Phone" feature - Being able to make phone calls from my Gmail account is pretty amazing. The desktop VoIP client is free when calling any number in the United States and super easy to use. You just dial the number on a pop-up keypad and talk right into your computer. I've ordered food delivery, called a cab, and confirmed appointments using the Call Phone feature.
Video chat - Whether it's Skype or Gmail, I've been all about using video chat this week to call my friends, which is something I've never really done on the regular. This is especially cool when I'm video chatting with a friend who only lives a few blocks away. In the past, I would have just texted and lost out on the face-to-face time that video chat provides.

See what else I'm using after the break.

Savvy Tip: Combine Your Honeymoon With a Destination Wedding

Emily Co — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:05:54 PST

It's a new year, which means more weddings to come! My friend was telling me the other day on her plans to save by having a destination wedding, which will help reduce the guest list. At the same time, she'll be saving on her honeymoon costs as well, because she's planning on combining it with her destination wedding.

If this is something you're keen on, perhaps you can even consider Skyping the wedding for friends and family who want to see it. What do you think - is this a savvy idea and something you would do? Do you have any more tips to reduce wedding costs?

How-To: Turn Your iPod Touch Into a Phone

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 02:00:40 PST

If you're on a budget, a data-heavy smartphone package may not be the best situation for your pocketbook (especially now that both Verizon and AT&T have changed their data and text messaging packages), but sacrificing efficiency for a dumbphone may not be an option either. Thankfully, you have a third option: an iPod Touch. If you think that an iPod Touch can't suffice for a cheap alternative to a full-fledged iPhone, you may be surprised. Check just two ways you can function on the fly with an iPod Touch as your cellphone.

Apps and WiFi - Your iPod Touch may be WiFi-only, but that doesn't mean you can't make calls. Apps like Skype and Fring will allow you to make calls over a connection, while Google Voice will even let you get voicemail messages, send SMS text messages, and forward calls from your home line to your new (albeit slightly jimmy-rigged) cell.

Find out how else you could create an iPod Touch workaround after the break.

iPhone Users: Video Chat Over 3G With Skype!

Kristen Hawley — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 08:00:13 PST

Finally! After waiting for months, Skype has announced an update to its iPhone app that includes the ability to video chat over a 3G connection. The update allows users to make Skype video calls to iPhones or using Skype on their computers, and it is compatible with iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPod Touch fourth-generation models running iOS 4.0 and above; users with third-generation iPod Touch models and the iPad are able to receive calls. Obviously, 3GS users won't be able to see who they are chatting with, but they'll be able to stream live video from the rear-facing camera.

Find out about the potential pitfalls of this newly updated app, and check out Skype's funny video announcement, after the break.

Geek Tip: Use Gmail to Make Free Calls This Holiday

GeekSugar — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 04:00:53 PST

Back in college I studied abroad for a year, and even now, I still keep in touch with my closest friends from my time overseas. But I love is how keeping in touch has evolved over the years: we started out with the occasional email, phone card call, or online chat (or surprise pen pal letter!), but now even people I haven't seen in person for a long time are just a mouse click away on Google Voice and it's easy to have daily conversations on chat.

I'm loving the (relatively) new Gmail voice feature that lets users call anyone's phone in the US and Canada for free. It's a nice surprise to hear from my faraway friends on my cell phone (a reward for actually answering an unknown number?) and not my laptop speakers, and even better knowing that I'm not costing them a dime. Google recently announced that calls to the US and Canada would remain free through 2011; I can't think of a better gift this holiday than talking to distant friends and family for free!

Facebook and Skype Partnering For Call/Texting Service

GeekSugar — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 13:15:52 PDT

Today rumors hit that Facebook and Skype will partner to create a communication platform that will integrate texting, voice calls, and Facebook Connect. This service will supposedly be available in a few weeks in the next version of Skype, 5.0, which is currently in beta.

The news at the moment is just rumblings on the web, but using Skype together with Facebook sounds like a great idea. With the new partnership you will be able to access Facebook friends in Skype to call and text, which seems not only a lot more convenient but also a natural progression as our online communication becomes more seamless (Facebook's response to Google Voice and Gmail?).

Both companies would benefit from the partnership, according to reports: Facebook would gain more popularity internationally through the European-based Skype's customer base, while Skype would gain access to Facebook's more than 500 million users. What do you think about the partnership? Will you be excited if this functionality is released?