Facebook Messenger adds cross-platform video calling in latest update

Facebook today announced the launch of video calling for Facebook Messenger on Android and iOS. It’s what it sounds like — if text or voice isn’t enough for you, you can take your Facebook chat to a more personal face-to-face video call using one simple button.

The feature is cross-platform, so those on Android can video chat with their friends on iOS without issue, though it’s not yet possible to video chat with folks in the desktop version of Facebook.

The feature is available for those in Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, France, Greece, Ireland, Laos, Lithuania, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, the UK, the US and Uruguay. Your country not on the list? Facebook pinky swears that it’ll be on its way shortly. Find the upgrade at Google Play right here.

[via Facebook]

WhatsApp voice calling now enabled for anyone and everyone who wants to use it

WhatsApp had previously given select lucky users the ability to place voice calls before, but a vast majority of the userbase was left out. That ends today — the company has flipped the server side switch that allows everyone to make voice calls.

As long as you’re on WhatsApp version 2.12.5, you’ll start to see a new tab named Calls where you can initiate calls to anyone on your contacts list, or simply press the dialer button you’ll find in a chat window.

Both users need to be on the latest version of WhatsApp for it to work, though that shouldn’t be a big issue as the latest update has been out for at least two weeks now. Give it a try the next time you prefer to grace your friends and families’ day with your voice rather than text.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Video calling with Facebook Messenger now works (almost) everywhere in the world

When Facebook introduced cross-platform video calling via Messenger late last month, it was only available in a handful of countries. But they promised more were on the way and keeping up with that promise, Facebook is finally updating us on the status of that global rollout.

According to their update post, video calls inside of Messenger should now be available just about everywhere, with the exception of a few countries which, unfortunately, weren’t named. They also said that if you’re experiencing poor video quality to sit tight, they’re working on improving that too.

It was only a few days ago rumors that Facebook was considering adding games into Messenger began floating around the internet. With Messenger recently becoming a full fledged platform for developers to build apps on, it only makes sense — even if we’re not too keen on the idea.

As it stands, Messenger is a solid messaging app, one we find ourselves using more and more. With video calling now available globally, Facebook could be poised to finally take on Skype.

Messenger (Playboard) | Messenger (Play Store)

[Facebook]

Official: Nexus 6 on T-Mobile will start receiving Android 5.1.1 with WiFi Calling this weekend

Yesterday, T-Mobile’s Des Smith hinted at the possibility of the Nexus 6 finally receiving its WiFi Calling update this weekend but today, he’s finally confirming it. The Nexus 6 will officially receive Android 5.1.1 — build number LYZ28E — on T-Mobile this weekend, and after a fairly long wait (and a few hiccups on the way), WiFi Calling is officially on board.

The update will be a gradual rollout, hitting a small number of T-Mobile customers in stages. If all goes well, expect a more broad rollout in the coming weeks. Keep in mind you’ll need to already be on Android 5.1 (build LMY47M) in order to update to 5.1.1 and if you’d like, you can grab the factory images from Google’s Nexus Factory Images site here.

Download: T-Mobile’ Android 5.1.1 update and factory image for Nexus 6, WiFi Calling included

In case you missed, T-Mobile began pushing out Android 5.1.1 to the Nexus 6 this weekend. This flavor of Android — build LYZ28E — was built especially for the Nexus 6 on T-Mobile and features the long awaited WiFi Calling feature baked right in. With WiFi calling, Nexus 6 owners can make calls and send text messages even in places where they have zero bars. You gotta admit, that’s pretty handy especially if you live up in the mountains or other areas where T-Mobile’s towers have trouble reaching.

Because the update is rolling out in stages, some of you may not have gotten the update quite yet. Don’t worry, you’ll get it soon. For those that don’t feel like waiting, here’s the OTA link for manual flashing (if you’re into that sort of thing). For anyone else looking to download the full factory image — which will restore your device to its full factory settings — you can now find that on Google’s Nexus factory images page down below. This is great for those that Have at it.

[via Nexus Factory images]

Nexus 6 could be getting its WiFi Calling update this Memorial Day weekend

We’ve known about T-Mobile’s plan to have WiFi Calling enabled on the Nexus 6 since back in October. There’s been quite a few Lollipop updates since then, with none of them bringing that feature T-Mobile customers have been clamoring for.

If the recent tweets of T-Mobile Senior Product Manager Desmond Smith are to be believed, that update — so long in the making — could finally rollout this weekend. You’ll find his tweet down below.

Alright, so his tweet didn’t come out and say it, but if you remember back on May 12th, Des tweeted that a last minute bug was discovered in the software, delaying the update by 7-10 days. Well, here we are 9 days later, and Des is teasing something sweet coming to the Nexus 6 this weekend.

Des’ lips are tied but if we were betting men, we’d put our chips on the Nexus 6 receiving WiFi Calling this Memorial Day weekend. Keep those fingers crossed!

[Twitter]

Sprint Galaxy S5 G900PVPU1ANK4 4.4.4 OTA Update brings HD voice icon, International Wi-Fi calling support

Sprint Galaxy S5 SM-G900V Android 4.4.4 OTA update has finally arrive. The Android 4.4.4 with build number G900PVPU1ANK4 and is now live via OTA  with 366 MB in size and will take around from 15 to 20 minutes to download and install. The G900PVPU1ANK4  update will not just bump the Android OS version to 4.4.4 but also brings new features such as the HD voice icon, International Wi-Fi Calling support and Google’s security patches.

Here are the Android 4.4.4 G900PVPU1ANK4 official changelog, addressed by Sprint and Samsung:

• Android 4.4.4


• HD Voice Icon


• International Wi-Fi Calling Support


• Google Security Patches

Technical Details of the G900PVPU1ANK4 4.4.4 Update

Device: Sprint Samsung Galaxy S5
Model number: SM-G900P
Baseband version: G900PVPU1ANK4
Kernel version: 3.4.0-3182645 dpi@SWDD3002 #1
Build number: KTU84P.G900PVPU1ANK4
SE for Android status: Enforcing

The software update usually  going out in stages, so if  haven’t received the notification message right away you can manually check it from your Galaxy S5 phone, just simply tap on Settings » About phone » Software updates.

Here is the screenshot of the software update build 4.4.4 G900PVPU1ANK4. The G900PVPU1ANK4 has replaced the previous 4.4.2 G900PVPU1ANE5 update in June.

Guide: How to Update to G900PVPU1ANK4 4.4.4 via Over-The-Air (OTA)

 This is the easiest method to get the Firmware Update through over the air or called as OTA update.  which usually a notification message will directly sent to you from your network provider. It simply notifies you that there is a new software update available to download.  If you did not receive any notification messages yet, you can manually check the update instead.  You may only tap on your Galaxy S5 SM-G900P Settings>>About Device, then tap Software Update.

• Find “Software update”


• Slide your finger down the display starting from the top edge of your mobile phone.


• Tap the settings icon.


• Tap About device.


• Tap Software update.

It will automatically tells you that a new update is available or your software is up to date when there is none yet. You can simply tap install now when you want to perform an update or install later. Please escalate to Sprint or Samsung support pages for further instructions.

Those who have a rooted Galaxy S5 G900P might not be able to receive the update, but you can still manually restore back your Sprint Galaxy S5 G900P to stock firmware 4.4.4 G900PVPU1ANK4.

Via: Samsung and Sprint

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Sprint Galaxy S5 4.4.2 OTA update G900PVPU1ANE5 enable WI-FI calling support

Sprint has rolled out another software on Sprint Sprint Galaxy S5 (G900P), the update is still packed in 4.4.2 KitKat and it will bumps the software build version to  G900PVPU1ANE5. The update brings the Wi-Fi calling support and there are no any other new features mentioned according to the released keynotes. The changelog is absolutely short, as the Wi-Fi calling is the only item you may see on the list.

The Wi-Fi calling hasn’t been enabled on previous 4.4.2 update build G900PVPU1AND2, due to this some users had been requesting this feature and have waited patiently and so finally Sprint have put itinto action.  So there it goes you may check this update as it’s a nice feature, and surely everyone will be happy to seeing that it actually arrive.

According to some folks who already received the new 4.4.2 G900PVPU1ANE5 says that also fixes some issues they have faced before such as the LTE.  Some difficulties on getting a reliable LTE signal at home has now being resolved as some people Galaxy S5 didn’t have all the spark bands enabled by default but some did and this update ensures all but Band 3  are enabled also.

The changelog G900PVPU1ANE5 4.4.2 KitKat Update:

– Enable WI-FI calling support

Technical details of G900PVPU1ANE5 4.4.2 KitKat Update:

Device: Samsung Galaxy S5
Model number: SM-G900P
Carrier: Sprint
Mode number: SM-G900P
Android Version: 4.4.2
Baseband version: G900PVPU1ANE5
Kernel version: 3.4.0-1750661
dpi@SWDD6020 #1
Fri May 30 21:23:48 KST 2014
Build number: KOT49H.G900PVPU1ANE5
SE for Android status
Enforcing
SEPF_SM-G900P_4.4.2_0016
Fri May 30 21:23:28 2014
Security software version
MDF v1.0 Release 3
VPN v1.4 Release 1
PDA: G900PVPU1ANE5
CSC: G900PSPT1ANE5
PHONE: G900PVPU1ANE5

The software update usually  going out in stages, so if  haven’t received the notification message right away you can manually check it from your Galaxy S5 phone, just simply tap on Settings » About phone » Software updates.

source

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