You can now use Skype without an account

Microsoft is making it easier for you to talk to the friend of yours who has been begging you to get on Skype. The app now lets you quickly chat or make voice or video calls without needing a Skype account. Just head to Skype.com (you need to use a web browser on a computer) and select start a conversation and add your name to sign-in and use the app as a guest. You’ll then get be given a unique conversation link you can share with a person or a group. Once they click that link, they’ll be able to join immediately. They can even join as guest if they’re using Skype for Web.

Guests have access to all the features free Skype accounts have, such as screen sharing and file sharing. Group chats are also made available to you. These conversations will be available for 24 hours and if you need to maintain access to the log, you’ll need to sign up for a free account.

Twitter adds profile QR codes, like those for Snapchat

Twitter seems to be testing out a new feature we’ve seen on another social network: profile QR codes. Snapchat has done this for user profiles to make it easier to add people. Twitter seems to have taken the same lead but makes it a bit more difficult to use. Android Police’s Corbin Davenport seems to have received the update for this feature but it hasn’t shown up in our own apps just yet.

To find your profile’s QR code, you’ll need to do a bit of digging around. Head to your profile and tap on the overflow menu at the top right, you should see the QR Code option there. You have the option to save the image to your gallery or send it to another app. You can also select the QR scanner button to scan someone else’s code. Doing so will show you their account profile and a follow button. You can also select an image from your local photos to scan.

Watch over your pet with the Furbo pet camera

You can’t be with your pet all the time so for those instances you need either a pet sitter or technology on your side. Furbo is a pet camera that does more than just show you a live feed of your pets. The app allow for two-way chat and video so your pet can also see you and listen to them respond to you. The camera can take photos and videos of your beloved pets and share these with loved ones. The HD camera even has night vision so you can see what your pet is up to in the dark. Furbo can even dispense treats and let you play fetch with your dog. If your pet suddenly makes noise, the pet camera can also send you “barking alerts” through notifications.

The next supersonic passenger aircraft is coming in 2017

It doesn’t come as a surprise that Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, is backing the arrival of the newest supersonic passenger aircraft. Branson partnered with aircraft production startup Boom to unveil the prototype XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator. Being able to make affordable supersonic flights have been a goal for Branson since the turbojet-powered Concorde retired back in 2003. The airliner promises 3.5-hour flights between New York and London for US$5,000.

Boom studied the Concorde was able to create from it a supersonic design that travels 2.6 times faster than current jetliners and has better fuel economy. Hardware comes from the likes of General Electric (engines), Honeywell (avionics), Tencate (carbon fiber), and Blue Force (composite structures). The plane can accommodate 45 to 55 passengers and gives spacious seating on each side with personal windows and overhead bins. The first XB-1 flight is scheduled to happen later in 2017.

Source: Mashable