Aside from the iPhone and Mac computers, the Skype VoIP service has now been ported to the Apple TV device as a plugin. Those interested in more details regarding this work by developer Brandon Holland will want to visit the full article.

The Beta version of Skype 2.7 for Mac is now out and ready for use. For those unfamiliar with this program, it allows users to chat and send text messages for free. In addition to this, it can be used to place calls to both cellular phones and landlines for a nominal fee.

Originally PC-based, the software has been reworked to run on multiple Mac platforms. If you'd care to recall, the previous version implemented a lot of new features, and the trend continues with this version. There are quite a few improvements to the program, here's a complete list of all the new features:

• Group contacts: organize your contacts into as many groups as you need. While there are some pre-defined groups (like Online, Waiting Authorization, Recently Contacted), youÂ?re free to add new ones that suit your life. This should be a godsend to those whose contact list has ballooned to hundreds of Skype users. Explore this nifty feature under the cogwheel icon on the main screen.

• See your Apple Address Book contacts in Skype: easily call or SMS anyone who has a phone number in their address-book profile. When texting, just make sure the number is one that belongs to a mobile phone.

• Create and manage public chats: by clicking on Chats in the menu bar and choosing Start Public Chat. A public-chat assistant will walk you through the necessary steps.

• Auto Redial for busy or unconnected calls: When your call hits the busy signal, Skype will give you the option of automatic redial every two minutes until the call goes through. This setting can also be adjusted in Skype > Preferences > Calls.

• Easy sound-level controls: when you need to tweak the sound level during a call, use a simple slider in the call window

• Overhauled file transfer: wearing a more fashionable jacket, file-transfer now looks elegant and acts even nicer, especially when receiving many files at once

So if you're a Mac user and use VoIP for raiding in World of Warcraft or chatting with loved ones, there's no reason for you not to pick this up. Head on over tot he Skype site to download the program.

Two big names in telecommunications are merging technologies into something bigger and better than before. Shape Services, a well-known developer of IM (Instant Messenger) clients has announced the beta testing implementation of the Skype peer-to-peer Internet telephony network for the iPhone.

Having already developed the technology for several phone models, the IM+ for Skype program developed by Shape Services shares all the conventional features of Skype and integrates it into the design and interface of the iPhone.

In addition, the program runs independently off any worldwide 3G/GSM/CDMA network; in other words, it can work practically anywhere without the need of a WiFi connection.

Another feature worth noting is the cost effective rate a user pays when using the program for voice calls compared to a regular mobile-to-landline or mobile-to-mobile call, especially one overseas.

All this can be purchased through a one-time fee with no subsequent monthly dues, according to the Shape Services site which you can access by clicking on the Read link below.

A new beta for Skype v2.6 for the Mac is now out and waiting to be tested. This new beta includes a cool new Call Transfer feature that lets users transfer an active Skype call to other people on their Skype contact list. Perfect for when you really want to stop talking to that annoying relative of yours and want to pass 'em on to some other relative who also happens to annoy you.

Skype v2.6 beta also includes the following new features which were originally available only on the Windows clients:

• Join public chats
• Chat typing indicator - see when others are writing a message
• Call any Skype Prime premium services provider and pay with Skype credit
• Automatic Updates Â? get new features and updates without having to go to Skype's website to download
• DTMF tones for automatic answering services available also during Skype-to-Skype calls

A free download of the beta is available on the Skype website (skype.com).

These days attackers are smarter, more cunning, and more dangerous than ever before. If you want to be one up over these worldwide web delinquents, Vicomsoft has just released InterGate Policy Manager v9.2 that is capable of just that and more.

It provides you with a set of network security and monitoring tools that keep your organization and your users safe from a wide array of Internet threats. InterGate enforces "Safe Search" mode on all main search engines by filtering out explicit images from the search results. Another notable feature is time control. You can assign specific policies that manage internet access by time of day and/or day of the week.

These additional security however doesn't come cheap. InterGate Policy Manager starts at $138 for a five-user license, while a 12-month support contract is $ 100 that includes blocking/controlling other internet applications such as Skype and other IM applications. There's also InterGate Inspect, a content-based filter for controlling Web browsing and InterGate Intelligence to provide detailed reporting, both for $100/12 months.

InterGate Policy Manager is priced at $138.00 USD for five users with the mandatory 12-month support contract worth $99.00 USD; the bill would amount to $237.00 USD. The same price is applicable to a Windows OS.

Big fans of video conferencing would be really happy with this new development from Skype. The Luxembourg-based company revealed that their next big project would be video support for Skype for Mac, which they said would be available this year.

Apparently, the guys over at Skype is putting the wants of the consumers first since they have been heavily bombarded with various posts requesting for video for Skype for Mac.

The guys over at Skype also wants to warn their users not to download early development version of Skype for Mac with video that has been present in some sites. They warn you that this version is an internal unstable development version, and thus it is extremely buggy. It could cause so much problems for you such as the destruction of your contacts and other pertinent data - plus, it is completely unsupported, so if you experiences glitches, you're on your own.

They also want to spread the word that the said app going around is two months old, and the version that Skype will be officially releasing is miles, miles better and ahead than those circulating now. As for their Skype for Mac with Video, they say that itÂ?s not yet ready for use, but it will be soon. For now, salivate with this actual snapshot of  a video call with Skype for Mac.

Rumors galore! Even if the Mac Leopard would have a late 2006 or early 2007 release date, the backfence talks have not stopped. If rumors are to be believed, iChat 4.0 (to be included with the Leopard) will include the capability to call traditional phone lines, which is like existing VoIP big shot Skype and betas from Microsoft and Google.

Apparently, the site who featured this reiterated the rumor recently since their "sources" had gave them an in-depth preview of the Leopard. With regards to the iChat 4.0, if it's able to call a landline or a cell phone, then that's awesome, but if it could only make PC-to-PC calls, then they don't have nothing new to offer to the table because people had been doing that for a long time already.

Aside from the iChat gossip, there is also the rumor about more transparency, dashboard speed improvements, remote control access, tabbed iChat and whiteboarding among many others.

Well, maybe these rumors could be trashed or verified when it will be previewed in the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference this coming August 7-11, 2006. Until nothing concrete and official is presented or written, then these will remain rumors.

Most cellphones nowadays are pieces of work that are good for just about anything (well, almost). Soonr is software which, in this vein, aims to make your mobile phone much more usable. It allows even bog-standard cellphones to connect to PCs via the web and access it remotely. You can take a gander at your files and search through them, check your e-mail, access your Outlook - and hey, you can even Skype while you're at it! Very cool.

Even better, Basic Soonr accounts are completely free; while you'll have to pay for premium accounts, by doing so you get to access your computers even if they're off, and you also get data back-ups and very cheap international calling as well. Almost too good to be true, and well worth the extra money, in my opinion.

Today the company announced its release of a beta of its client for OS X. Terrific to see they aren't neglecting the Mac faithful. I for one am pretty curious to see how running the family Mac from my relatively unsophisticated little cellphone might be like... I'll give it a try and then tell you all what I think.