RE: [Techno-Chat]: I've Abandoned Skype

2018-01-26 Thread Rick Alfaro 
Yes, very odd indeed. In fact, if you look on skype.com, and try to find the 
desktop version you are not able to download it and you are advised that Skype 
is now part of Windows 10. 

 

 

From: Dane Trethowan [mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net] 
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2018 11:36 AM
To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! <techno-chat@techno-chat.net>
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: I've Abandoned Skype

 

Thanks for mentioning this and I’ll take another look but I cannot install 
Skype For Desktop on my machine.

Now don’t get me wrong because I believe I may have perhaps hit on an 
explanation, I’m subscribed to Office 365 so I wonder if that has any baring on 
what version of Skype I’m getting?

 





On 27 Jan 2018, at 3:26 am, Rick Alfaro <rick.alf...@gmail.com 
<mailto:rick.alf...@gmail.com> > wrote:

 

Interesting, I’m really scratching my head on this one. I’m running one of the 
latest fast ring Windows versions and Skype for Desktop which was just updated 
when I just opened it. I’m not seeing much difference in accessibility 
including the hot keys branch under tools>options. My hotkeys for answer and 
end calls are set to alt page down and alt page up respectively. 

 

 

From: Gordon Smith [ <mailto:gor...@mac-access.net> 
mailto:gor...@mac-access.net] 
Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2018 2:19 PM
To:  <mailto:techno-chat@techno-chat.net> techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: I've Abandoned Skype

 

Interesting. When I try to execute it on the Mac, I get a totally blank window. 
Using the menu bar, all the functions are greyed out. Ah well, time for a 
little exercise for “TrashMe”. Great little app that is, if you remove an app 
from your /applications folder, it takes with it all the preferences for that 
app, unless you override it.

 

 



My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:
< <mailto:gor...@mac-access.net> gor...@mac-access.net>
Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

 

This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!

  Contact:

 

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+1 646 9151493

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On 25 Jan 2018, at 18:23, Dane Trethowan < <mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net> 
grtd...@internode.on.net> wrote:

 

Perhaps I'd best explain things a little better.

Skype for Mac and Windows is accessible it seems on the whole accept for 
critical and very basic fuctions such as the answering of calls and I've found 
no way to actually perform this function with a screen reader.

With the Mac it seems that one can still click on the Answer button from within 
Skype but with the Windows version there doesn't even seem to be an answer 
button anywhere within Skype.

With the older Skype Desktop client one could set up a global hotkey to answer 
calls, with the latest Skype for Windows 10 that function has been removed it 
seems.

 

 

On 26/01/2018 4:53 AM, The wolf wrote:

is the mac skype still accessible? or did they break that as well?

 

On 1/25/2018 3:08 AM, Dane Trethowan wrote:

Indeed but having said thaqt I never rule anything in or out so its very 
possible that Microsoft may add some accessibility to the product in the future.

The Mac version of Skype has also changed.

 

 

On 25/01/2018 9:02 PM, Gordon Smith wrote:

That is correct. The Windows 10 version, (as of the Fall Creator’s Update) is 
now a very different animal. 

 

I too have dumped it. I don’t see it as a viable option any longer.

 



My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:
< <mailto:gor...@mac-access.net> gor...@mac-access.net>
Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

 

This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!

  Contact:

 

Twitter: @maciosaccess


• UK Free Phone:

0800 8620538

• UK Geographic / Global:

+44(0) 1642 688095
• UK Mobile/SMS:

+44 (0)7804 983849
• Vic. Australia:

+61 38 82059300
• US/Canada:

+1 646 9151493

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On 23 Jan 2018, at 17:56, Dane Trethowan < <mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net> 
grtd...@internode.on.net> wrote:

 

You cannot use Skype For Desktop under Windows 10 any longer as far as I know, 
I was using Skype For Desktop but the software was updated overnight to Skype 
For Windows 10.



On 24/01/2018 2:54 AM, Rick Alfaro wrote:




Which Skype are you using under Windows, the modern windows app or the desktop 
version? The desktop version has a ton of hotkeys and they ar

RE: [Techno-Chat]: I've Abandoned Skype

2018-01-26 Thread Rick Alfaro 
Interesting, I’m really scratching my head on this one. I’m running one of the 
latest fast ring Windows versions and Skype for Desktop which was just updated 
when I just opened it. I’m not seeing much difference in accessibility 
including the hot keys branch under tools>options. My hotkeys for answer and 
end calls are set to alt page down and alt page up respectively. 

 

 

From: Gordon Smith [mailto:gor...@mac-access.net] 
Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2018 2:19 PM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: I've Abandoned Skype

 

Interesting. When I try to execute it on the Mac, I get a totally blank window. 
Using the menu bar, all the functions are greyed out. Ah well, time for a 
little exercise for “TrashMe”. Great little app that is, if you remove an app 
from your /applications folder, it takes with it all the preferences for that 
app, unless you override it.

 

 



My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:
<gor...@mac-access.net <mailto:gor...@mac-access.net> >
Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

 

This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!

  Contact:

 

Twitter: @maciosaccess


• UK Free Phone:

0800 8620538

• UK Geographic / Global:

+44(0) 1642 688095
• UK Mobile/SMS:

+44 (0)7804 983849
• Vic. Australia:

+61 38 82059300
• US/Canada:

+1 646 9151493

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On 25 Jan 2018, at 18:23, Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net 
<mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net> > wrote:

 

Perhaps I'd best explain things a little better.

Skype for Mac and Windows is accessible it seems on the whole accept for 
critical and very basic fuctions such as the answering of calls and I've found 
no way to actually perform this function with a screen reader.

With the Mac it seems that one can still click on the Answer button from within 
Skype but with the Windows version there doesn't even seem to be an answer 
button anywhere within Skype.

With the older Skype Desktop client one could set up a global hotkey to answer 
calls, with the latest Skype for Windows 10 that function has been removed it 
seems.

 

 

On 26/01/2018 4:53 AM, The wolf wrote:

is the mac skype still accessible? or did they break that as well?

 

On 1/25/2018 3:08 AM, Dane Trethowan wrote:

Indeed but having said thaqt I never rule anything in or out so its very 
possible that Microsoft may add some accessibility to the product in the future.

The Mac version of Skype has also changed.

 

 

On 25/01/2018 9:02 PM, Gordon Smith wrote:

That is correct. The Windows 10 version, (as of the Fall Creator’s Update) is 
now a very different animal. 

 

I too have dumped it. I don’t see it as a viable option any longer.

 



My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:
<gor...@mac-access.net <mailto:gor...@mac-access.net> >
Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

 

This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!

  Contact:

 

Twitter: @maciosaccess


• UK Free Phone:

0800 8620538

• UK Geographic / Global:

+44(0) 1642 688095
• UK Mobile/SMS:

+44 (0)7804 983849
• Vic. Australia:

+61 38 82059300
• US/Canada:

+1 646 9151493

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On 23 Jan 2018, at 17:56, Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net 
<mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net> > wrote:

 

You cannot use Skype For Desktop under Windows 10 any longer as far as I know, 
I was using Skype For Desktop but the software was updated overnight to Skype 
For Windows 10.



On 24/01/2018 2:54 AM, Rick Alfaro wrote:



Which Skype are you using under Windows, the modern windows app or the desktop 
version? The desktop version has a ton of hotkeys and they are all redefinable 
under tools>options. It sounds like you are using the modern app which is a 
nightmare to use.



-Original Message-
From: Dane Trethowan [mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net]
Sent: Monday, January 22, 2018 10:46 PM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net <mailto:techno-chat@techno-chat.net> 
Subject: [Techno-Chat]: I've Abandoned Skype

After 10 years of continuous use I've been forced to abandon Skype as the 
operation of the Windows 10 and Mac versions have become incredibly complex in 
my view to the point that the very basics seem to have been forgotten by 
Microsoft, this point is driven home when you discover that there seems to be 
no keyboard shortcut or global hotkey anywhere to answer incoming calls.

I've looked at the keyboard shorcut/hotkey chart on the Microsoft Skype Support 
site but no joy there.

Now the decision I made is only from a personal point of view and I would like

Re: [Techno-Chat]: I've Abandoned Skype

2018-01-25 Thread Gordon Smith 
Interesting. When I try to execute it on the Mac, I get a totally blank window. 
Using the menu bar, all the functions are greyed out. Ah well, time for a 
little exercise for “TrashMe”. Great little app that is, if you remove an app 
from your /applications folder, it takes with it all the preferences for that 
app, unless you override it.




My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:

Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!

  Contact:

Twitter: @maciosaccess

• UK Free Phone:
0800 8620538
• UK Geographic / Global:
+44(0) 1642 688095
• UK Mobile/SMS:
+44 (0)7804 983849
• Vic. Australia:
+61 38 82059300
• US/Canada:
+1 646 9151493











On 25 Jan 2018, at 18:23, Dane Trethowan  wrote:

Perhaps I'd best explain things a little better.

Skype for Mac and Windows is accessible it seems on the whole accept for 
critical and very basic fuctions such as the answering of calls and I've found 
no way to actually perform this function with a screen reader.

With the Mac it seems that one can still click on the Answer button from within 
Skype but with the Windows version there doesn't even seem to be an answer 
button anywhere within Skype.

With the older Skype Desktop client one could set up a global hotkey to answer 
calls, with the latest Skype for Windows 10 that function has been removed it 
seems.



On 26/01/2018 4:53 AM, The wolf wrote:
> is the mac skype still accessible? or did they break that as well?
> 
> On 1/25/2018 3:08 AM, Dane Trethowan wrote:
>> Indeed but having said thaqt I never rule anything in or out so its very 
>> possible that Microsoft may add some accessibility to the product in the 
>> future.
>> 
>> The Mac version of Skype has also changed.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On 25/01/2018 9:02 PM, Gordon Smith wrote:
>>> That is correct. The Windows 10 version, (as of the Fall Creator’s Update) 
>>> is now a very different animal.
>>> 
>>> I too have dumped it. I don’t see it as a viable option any longer.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> My compliments and kindest regards
>>> Gordon Smith:
>>> >
>>> Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..
>>> 
>>> This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
>>> printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!
>>> 
>>>   Contact:
>>> 
>>> Twitter: @maciosaccess
>>> 
>>> • UK Free Phone:
>>> 0800 8620538
>>> • UK Geographic / Global:
>>> +44(0) 1642 688095
>>> • UK Mobile/SMS:
>>> +44 (0)7804 983849
>>> • Vic. Australia:
>>> +61 38 82059300
>>> • US/Canada:
>>> +1 646 9151493
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 23 Jan 2018, at 17:56, Dane Trethowan >> > wrote:
>>> 
>>> You cannot use Skype For Desktop under Windows 10 any longer as far as I 
>>> know, I was using Skype For Desktop but the software was updated overnight 
>>> to Skype For Windows 10.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 24/01/2018 2:54 AM, Rick Alfaro wrote:
 Which Skype are you using under Windows, the modern windows app or the 
 desktop version? The desktop version has a ton of hotkeys and they are all 
 redefinable under tools>options. It sounds like you are using the modern 
 app which is a nightmare to use.
 
 
 
 -Original Message-
 From: Dane Trethowan [mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net 
 ]
 Sent: Monday, January 22, 2018 10:46 PM
 To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net 
 Subject: [Techno-Chat]: I've Abandoned Skype
 
 After 10 years of continuous use I've been forced to abandon Skype as the 
 operation of the Windows 10 and Mac versions have become incredibly 
 complex in my view to the point that the very basics seem to have been 
 forgotten by Microsoft, this point is driven home when you discover that 
 there seems to be no keyboard shortcut or global hotkey anywhere to answer 
 incoming calls.
 
 I've looked at the keyboard shorcut/hotkey chart on the Microsoft Skype 
 Support site but no joy there.
 
 Now the decision I made is only from a personal point of view and I would 
 like to be proven wrong on my assessment so if anyone knows what I don't 
 then please speak up.
 
 I'm looking at alternatives to Skype to suit my audio and video needs, one 
 of those alternatives is Facetime which a whole swag of people probably 
 have but don't realise it.
 
 If you're on a Mac computer then you'll find Facetime as part of Mac OSX.
 
 If you're

Re: [Techno-Chat]: I've Abandoned Skype

2018-01-25 Thread Gordon Smith 
Yes, it would appear so. Just popped up and checked it and the thing seems to 
have totally changed. So I feel justified in what I personally have done.



My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:

Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!

  Contact:

Twitter: @maciosaccess

• UK Free Phone:
0800 8620538
• UK Geographic / Global:
+44(0) 1642 688095
• UK Mobile/SMS:
+44 (0)7804 983849
• Vic. Australia:
+61 38 82059300
• US/Canada:
+1 646 9151493











On 25 Jan 2018, at 17:53, The wolf  wrote:

is the mac skype still accessible? or did they break that as well?

On 1/25/2018 3:08 AM, Dane Trethowan wrote:
> Indeed but having said thaqt I never rule anything in or out so its 
> very possible that Microsoft may add some accessibility to the 
> product in the future.
> 
> The Mac version of Skype has also changed.
> 
> 
> 
> On 25/01/2018 9:02 PM, Gordon Smith wrote:
>> That is correct. The Windows 10 version, (as of the Fall Creator’s Update) 
>> is now a very different animal.
>> 
>> I too have dumped it. I don’t see it as a viable option any longer.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> My compliments and kindest regards
>> Gordon Smith:
>> >
>> Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..
>> 
>> This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
>> printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!
>> 
>>   Contact:
>> 
>> Twitter: @maciosaccess
>> 
>> • UK Free Phone:
>> 0800 8620538
>> • UK Geographic / Global:
>> +44(0) 1642 688095
>> • UK Mobile/SMS:
>> +44 (0)7804 983849
>> • Vic. Australia:
>> +61 38 82059300
>> • US/Canada:
>> +1 646 9151493
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On 23 Jan 2018, at 17:56, Dane Trethowan > > wrote:
>> 
>> You cannot use Skype For Desktop under Windows 10 any longer as far as I 
>> know, I was using Skype For Desktop but the software was updated overnight 
>> to Skype For Windows 10.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On 24/01/2018 2:54 AM, Rick Alfaro wrote:
>>> Which Skype are you using under Windows, the modern windows app or the 
>>> desktop version? The desktop version has a ton of hotkeys and they are all 
>>> redefinable under tools>options. It sounds like you are using the modern 
>>> app which is a nightmare to use.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -Original Message-
>>> From: Dane Trethowan [mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net 
>>> ]
>>> Sent: Monday, January 22, 2018 10:46 PM
>>> To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net 
>>> Subject: [Techno-Chat]: I've Abandoned Skype
>>> 
>>> After 10 years of continuous use I've been forced to abandon Skype as the 
>>> operation of the Windows 10 and Mac versions have become incredibly complex 
>>> in my view to the point that the very basics seem to have been forgotten by 
>>> Microsoft, this point is driven home when you discover that there seems to 
>>> be no keyboard shortcut or global hotkey anywhere to answer incoming calls.
>>> 
>>> I've looked at the keyboard shorcut/hotkey chart on the Microsoft Skype 
>>> Support site but no joy there.
>>> 
>>> Now the decision I made is only from a personal point of view and I would 
>>> like to be proven wrong on my assessment so if anyone knows what I don't 
>>> then please speak up.
>>> 
>>> I'm looking at alternatives to Skype to suit my audio and video needs, one 
>>> of those alternatives is Facetime which a whole swag of people probably 
>>> have but don't realise it.
>>> 
>>> If you're on a Mac computer then you'll find Facetime as part of Mac OSX.
>>> 
>>> If you're on an iPhone or iPad then you've probably seen Facetime on the 
>>> first page of Apps.
>>> 
>>> The Facetime App on the Mac is very easy to use with only a few options 
>>> appearing on the screen, likewise with Facetime For IOS.
>>> 
>>> I also have two other utilities which are going to help enormously in 
>>> handling my communication needs.
>>> 
>>> The excellent Handsfree 2 App for the Mac will allow access to my mobile 
>>> phone using Bluetooth paring.
>>> 
>>> Handsfree 2 will allow me to dial out and receive incoming calls via my 
>>> mobile directly and settings can be configured in such a way that the audio 
>>> of a call is transmitted to the Mac to be output through the Sound Device 
>>> of your choice - say a headset or similar -.
>>> 
>>> Unfortunately I don't know of an alternative to Handsfree 2 for Windows.
>>> 
>>> I have the very nice Express Talk App from NCH Software for both Mac and 
>>> Windows which allows the

Re: [Techno-Chat]: I've Abandoned Skype

2018-01-25 Thread Dane Trethowan 

Perhaps I'd best explain things a little better.

Skype for Mac and Windows is accessible it seems on the whole accept for 
critical and very basic fuctions such as the answering of calls and I've 
found no way to actually perform this function with a screen reader.


With the Mac it seems that one can still click on the Answer button from 
within Skype but with the Windows version there doesn't even seem to be 
an answer button anywhere within Skype.


With the older Skype Desktop client one could set up a global hotkey to 
answer calls, with the latest Skype for Windows 10 that function has 
been removed it seems.




On 26/01/2018 4:53 AM, The wolf wrote:


is the mac skype still accessible? or did they break that as well?


On 1/25/2018 3:08 AM, Dane Trethowan wrote:


Indeed but having said thaqt I never rule anything in or out so its 
very possible that Microsoft may add some accessibility to the 
product in the future.


The Mac version of Skype has also changed.



On 25/01/2018 9:02 PM, Gordon Smith wrote:
That is correct. The Windows 10 version, (as of the Fall Creator’s 
Update) is now a very different animal.


I too have dumped it. I don’t see it as a viable option any longer.



My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:
>
Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can 
avoid printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!


  Contact:

Twitter: @maciosaccess

• UK Free Phone:
0800 8620538
• UK Geographic / Global:
+44(0) 1642 688095
• UK Mobile/SMS:
+44 (0)7804 983849
• Vic. Australia:
+61 38 82059300
• US/Canada:
+1 646 9151493











On 23 Jan 2018, at 17:56, Dane Trethowan > wrote:


You cannot use Skype For Desktop under Windows 10 any longer as far 
as I know, I was using Skype For Desktop but the software was 
updated overnight to Skype For Windows 10.




On 24/01/2018 2:54 AM, Rick Alfaro wrote:
Which Skype are you using under Windows, the modern windows app or 
the desktop version? The desktop version has a ton of hotkeys and 
they are all redefinable under tools>options. It sounds like you 
are using the modern app which is a nightmare to use.




-Original Message-
From: Dane Trethowan [mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net]
Sent: Monday, January 22, 2018 10:46 PM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net 
Subject: [Techno-Chat]: I've Abandoned Skype

After 10 years of continuous use I've been forced to abandon Skype 
as the operation of the Windows 10 and Mac versions have become 
incredibly complex in my view to the point that the very basics 
seem to have been forgotten by Microsoft, this point is driven home 
when you discover that there seems to be no keyboard shortcut or 
global hotkey anywhere to answer incoming calls.


I've looked at the keyboard shorcut/hotkey chart on the Microsoft 
Skype Support site but no joy there.


Now the decision I made is only from a personal point of view and I 
would like to be proven wrong on my assessment so if anyone knows 
what I don't then please speak up.


I'm looking at alternatives to Skype to suit my audio and video 
needs, one of those alternatives is Facetime which a whole swag of 
people probably have but don't realise it.


If you're on a Mac computer then you'll find Facetime as part of 
Mac OSX.


If you're on an iPhone or iPad then you've probably seen Facetime 
on the first page of Apps.


The Facetime App on the Mac is very easy to use with only a few 
options appearing on the screen, likewise with Facetime For IOS.


I also have two other utilities which are going to help enormously 
in handling my communication needs.


The excellent Handsfree 2 App for the Mac will allow access to my 
mobile phone using Bluetooth paring.


Handsfree 2 will allow me to dial out and receive incoming calls 
via my mobile directly and settings can be configured in such a way 
that the audio of a call is transmitted to the Mac to be output 
through the Sound Device of your choice - say a headset or similar -.


Unfortunately I don't know of an alternative to Handsfree 2 for 
Windows.


I have the very nice Express Talk App from NCH Software for both 
Mac and Windows which allows the management of multiple VOIP lines 
from your computer and the feature set is extensive to say the 
least, everything from making/receiving calls to recording and 
transferring of calls with on-hold music should you want it, all 
fully customisable.


And finally my Sony xPeria X-Performance phone offers VOIP 
management facilities so not only do I have a mobile number but I 
can define VOIP numbers so that when they're called the call goes 
straight to the mobile which I think is truly amazing.


This is all food for thought so I'd be

RE: [Techno-Chat]: I've Abandoned Skype

2018-01-23 Thread Rick Alfaro 
Which Skype are you using under Windows, the modern windows app or the desktop 
version? The desktop version has a ton of hotkeys and they are all redefinable 
under tools>options. It sounds like you are using the modern app which is a 
nightmare to use.



-Original Message-
From: Dane Trethowan [mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net] 
Sent: Monday, January 22, 2018 10:46 PM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: [Techno-Chat]: I've Abandoned Skype

After 10 years of continuous use I've been forced to abandon Skype as the 
operation of the Windows 10 and Mac versions have become incredibly complex in 
my view to the point that the very basics seem to have been forgotten by 
Microsoft, this point is driven home when you discover that there seems to be 
no keyboard shortcut or global hotkey anywhere to answer incoming calls.

I've looked at the keyboard shorcut/hotkey chart on the Microsoft Skype Support 
site but no joy there.

Now the decision I made is only from a personal point of view and I would like 
to be proven wrong on my assessment so if anyone knows what I don't then please 
speak up.

I'm looking at alternatives to Skype to suit my audio and video needs, one of 
those alternatives is Facetime which a whole swag of people probably have but 
don't realise it.

If you're on a Mac computer then you'll find Facetime as part of Mac OSX.

If you're on an iPhone or iPad then you've probably seen Facetime on the first 
page of Apps.

The Facetime App on the Mac is very easy to use with only a few options 
appearing on the screen, likewise with Facetime For IOS.

I also have two other utilities which are going to help enormously in handling 
my communication needs.

The excellent Handsfree 2 App for the Mac will allow access to my mobile phone 
using Bluetooth paring.

Handsfree 2 will allow me to dial out and receive incoming calls via my mobile 
directly and settings can be configured in such a way that the audio of a call 
is transmitted to the Mac to be output through the Sound Device of your choice 
- say a headset or similar -.

Unfortunately I don't know of an alternative to Handsfree 2 for Windows.

I have the very nice Express Talk App from NCH Software for both Mac and 
Windows which allows the management of multiple VOIP lines from your computer 
and the feature set is extensive to say the least, everything from 
making/receiving calls to recording and transferring of calls with on-hold 
music should you want it, all fully customisable.

And finally my Sony xPeria X-Performance phone offers VOIP management 
facilities so not only do I have a mobile number but I can define VOIP numbers 
so that when they're called the call goes straight to the mobile which I think 
is truly amazing.

This is all food for thought so I'd be interested in any comments or 
suggestions.


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