Video calls between Microsoft Skype and Lync are now possible

Microsoft announced plans last year to let enterprise-focused Lync and consumer product Skype interoperate. Now, they have rolled out video integration between the two services. In short, you can now call Lync contacts while on Skype and vice versa. Video calls, however, only work with an updated Lync 2013 client  on Android, iOS, or Windows and Skype for Windows desktop. Skype is still working to bring the functionality to iOS, Android, and other platforms. The video support uses “high quality, scalable video using the industry standard H.264 SVC codec” and calls make use of SILK audio codec. There are plans to develop interoperability further as Microsoft plans to rebrand Lync as “Skype for Business” in the coming year.  

Source: TechCrunch

Video: See the latest software features of the BlackBerry Classic

BlackBerry Classic is slated for a New York launch on December 17 and we're slowly starting to see more information on this most awaited device. BlackBerry's main demo dude  Donny Halliwell (also an esteemed automotive reviewer here at Canadian Reviewer) walks us through some of the applications and the browser coming to this new device.

Want more Blackberry Classic coverage? Stay tuned to our liveblog from New York on December 17 when I bring the highlights of the launch event as well as some of the first official hands on video and images of the Classic.

Source: Inside BlackBerry

Kyocera gets tough with the DuraForce rugged smartphone on Bell

Need an Android smartphone that's tougher than the rest? Kyocera and Bell Mobility recently announced the new Kyocera DuraForce, a rugged, waterproof, 4G LTE Android smartphone coming on Decemeber 20th for $99.00 on a two year plan or $449.95 contract free.

“Kyocera and Bell Mobility have teamed up to offer the Canadian market an ultra-rugged, affordable smartphone designed to meet the demands of extreme lifestyles," said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of global sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications. Hit jump for all the specs and details of this Diehard device.

Click to read more ...

Hackers publicize Sony employee passwords, social security numbers and salaries

Things are really getting out of hand with the recent breach of Sony's system. More than a malicious attack that allowed hackers to steal screener versions of movies that haven't even been released in theatres, we are now learning that the hackers are also letting loose valuable employee information such as passwords, social security numbers and even their salary information. This is over and above the massive security breach that reportedly downed parts of Sony's network and even disabled hard drives and rendered many computers on the network useless and inoperable.