Skype gets Microsoft Teams' Together Mode

Microsoft Skype is getting Together Mode from Teams. The fun video calling feature uses AI to take your face and shoulders and place them together with other people in your call in a virtual space. It requires at least five people with webcams to put everyone in a virtual environment that makes it look like you're beside each other. You don't even have to use the Skype app to utilize Together Mode. It works with the web version of Skype and without the need to create an account. Together Mode was introduced back in July to cater to pandemic-era meetings. The NBA even used the feature to bring basketball bans courtside in a virtual experience of its live games. 

Aside from this surprising new addition, Skype is also getting the Large Grid Mode, where you can see everyone's live stream simultaneously. Skype also offers more background options and allows you to add people to ongoing calls with their phone numbers.

Source: The Verge

Amazon Echo devices add group video and audio calling support

Source: Amazon

If you'd rather not use Zoom, Amazon is rolling out a new group video or audio calling for Echo devices. Amazon originally announced the feature in September, but it's rolling it out just in time for the holidays. It will allow up to seven participants to join the audio or video call on supported devices, including the Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Show. Canada is one of the 14 countries to get the feature. Other countries getting the support include Austria, Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, the US, and the UK.

You can create and name groups for these calls through the Alexa app. The app will soon get support for group calls, too. You will be able to add adult contacts into groups, with friends and family having the option to opt into group calling. If you're wondering if it works with Alexa, it does. You can say commands like "Alexa, call my family" to connect to a group you've created. There are currently no limits to the call's duration.

Source: The Verge

OnePlus, Google are working together to 'improve' Wear OS

OnePlus CEO Pete Lau recently confirmed in an interview that the company is working with Google to improve the Wear OS platform. Lau also said that OnePlus is working on a smartwatch, although he didn't say whether the wearable will run on Wear OS or not. Google is said to be on board to work on the Wear OS software as well as how the operating system interacts with Android phones and Android TV. Lau didn't address the fitness features that Wear OS needs to improve on. But with Google's pending acquisition of Fitbit, we expect to see developments in the health and fitness space.

It won't be the first time Google is working with an OEM to develop its software. Google has done so in the past with NVIDIA. The companies collaborated to make substantial changes to the Android TV Oreo update before updating NVIDIA's Shield TV series.

Source: 9to5Google

Apple claims the AirPods Max's Smart Case won't make much of a difference on battery life

The AirPods Max's Smart Case has garnered a lot of attention, not just for its looks but also for how it seems to be a necessary accessory to switch off these Apple headphones entirely. A new Apple support document, though, refutes this assumption. The AirPods Max has three power modes: in use, low power, and ultra-low power. Whether you put the AirPods Max in the case or not, the headphones enter low power mode almost instantaneously. If you put it in the case, it's immediate; it takes around five minutes if you don't. 

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