Facebook Will Launch In-Browser Video Chat Next Week In Partnership With Skype

Earlier this week while visiting Seattle, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg tipped off Seattle press that the company would be launching an “awesome” new product next week that has been built by Facebook’s Seattle team. The press invitations to that event went out today, saying nothing more than “Please join us for an event at Facebook” on July 6.

This isn’t even the first time we’ve heard about Skype-powered video chat on Facebook. Rumors surfaced last year about such a product, but it never materialized.

The report is sparse on details about how it will work. Will it require a software download? Will it support group video chats? Undoubtedly it will be a major addition to the Facebook platform. Google+, the search giant’s answer to Facebook, launched with a group video chat feature, Google+ Hangouts. Google is seeing a lot of traction with the feature, but if Facebook can release a video chat product next week, Google+ Hangouts may not seem as revolutionary.

We’ve reached out to Facebook and Skype for comment.

Update: While Facebook and Skype aren’t saying anything officially, our sources confirm that Skype-powered video chat on Facebook will indeed be launching next week.

Earlier this week while visiting Seattle, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg tipped off Seattle press that the company would be launching an “awesome” new product next week that has been built by Facebook’s Seattle team. The press invitations to that event went out today, saying nothing more than “Please join us for an event at Facebook” on July 6.

This isn’t even the first time we’ve heard about Skype-powered video chat on Facebook. Rumors surfaced last year about such a product, but it never materialized.

The report is sparse on details about how it will work. Will it require a software download? Will it support group video chats? Undoubtedly it will be a major addition to the Facebook platform. Google+, the search giant’s answer to Facebook, launched with a group video chat feature, Google+ Hangouts. Google is seeing a lot of traction with the feature, but if Facebook can release a video chat product next week, Google+ Hangouts may not seem as revolutionary.

We’ve reached out to Facebook and Skype for comment.

Update: While Facebook and Skype aren’t saying anything officially, our sources confirm that Skype-powered video chat on Facebook will indeed be launching next week.

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Google Teams Up With Virgin America To Allow Passengers To Test Out Chromebooks In-Flight

Google just announced that it is teaming up with Virgin America Airline to bring customers some pretty nifty in-flight perks.

From July 1 through September 30, Virgin Airline passengers will be able to check out free Google Chromebooks, the search engine's new cloud-powered laptop, to be used during their flight.

Users can check out the Chromebooks at their departure gate by swiping a credit card, which Virgin says is "for deposit purposes." Virgin is coupling the offer with a complimentary WiFi session during the flight, so users can go online and surf the web--even at 35,000 feet.

"Our goal has always been to use the best in technology to reinvent the travel experience -- and help bring some fun back to flying," Virgin America VP of Marketing Porter Gale said on Thursday, according to a press release. "As another California company known for connecting people in new ways, Google has been a key partner with us from our very first flights in 2007 -- powering the interactive Google maps onboard our Red entertainment platform. We're delighted to team up with Google yet again in a way that keeps our guests entertained and connected -- in both the physical and virtual clouds."

Passengers checking in at Virgin America gates in San Francisco International, Boston's Logan, Chicago O'Hare and Dallas-Fort Worth will see a Google "Chrome Zone," where the Chromebooks can be reserved for flights between SFO and DFW, ORD or BOS.

Google is also teaming up with New York's Ace Hotel, which will offer Virgin Atlantic fliers a complementary Chromebook during their stay at Ace.

Previously, during the 2010 holiday season, Google and Virgin partnered to offer passengers free in-flight WiFi.

Google just announced that it is teaming up with Virgin America Airline to bring customers some pretty nifty in-flight perks.

From July 1 through September 30, Virgin Airline passengers will be able to check out free Google Chromebooks, the search engine's new cloud-powered laptop, to be used during their flight.

Users can check out the Chromebooks at their departure gate by swiping a credit card, which Virgin says is "for deposit purposes." Virgin is coupling the offer with a complimentary WiFi session during the flight, so users can go online and surf the web--even at 35,000 feet.

"Our goal has always been to use the best in technology to reinvent the travel experience -- and help bring some fun back to flying," Virgin America VP of Marketing Porter Gale said on Thursday, according to a press release. "As another California company known for connecting people in new ways, Google has been a key partner with us from our very first flights in 2007 -- powering the interactive Google maps onboard our Red entertainment platform. We're delighted to team up with Google yet again in a way that keeps our guests entertained and connected -- in both the physical and virtual clouds."

Passengers checking in at Virgin America gates in San Francisco International, Boston's Logan, Chicago O'Hare and Dallas-Fort Worth will see a Google "Chrome Zone," where the Chromebooks can be reserved for flights between SFO and DFW, ORD or BOS.

Google is also teaming up with New York's Ace Hotel, which will offer Virgin Atlantic fliers a complementary Chromebook during their stay at Ace.

Previously, during the 2010 holiday season, Google and Virgin partnered to offer passengers free in-flight WiFi.

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Japan News: Watch This Dental Robot Hanako 2 Very Impressive.

No other country on Earth seems to be more dedicated to realizing Blade Runner and Ghost in the Shell than Japan. They might as well deify Ridley Scott and proclaim him the spiritual father of the country’s various humanoid robotics projects. Pictured below is the lovely Hanako 2, a rather stimulating female root that’s supposed to train dentistry students and oral healthcare professionals in the fien art of looking after teeth.Of course, Hanako 2′s overt femaleness might rub a few women as a tad sexist (would the robot be treated less better it it were a guy?) But over looking the implications, Hanako 2 is a fine piece of work.

Of course, the missing piece of Hanako 2′s backstory is he rlfielike appearance is a result of silicone. Manufacturer Tmsuk partnered with a ‘love doll’ maker to amplify her, uhm, feminine qualities. Oh yeah, Hanako 2 can simulate almost every type of facial movement and even speak.

What she can’t do is e your girlfriend. But no worries, as robotic better halfs are sure to come real soon. It’s only a matter of time now. Now for the creepy and rather titillating video:

No other country on Earth seems to be more dedicated to realizing Blade Runner and Ghost in the Shell than Japan. They might as well deify Ridley Scott and proclaim him the spiritual father of the country’s various humanoid robotics projects. Pictured below is the lovely Hanako 2, a rather stimulating female root that’s supposed to train dentistry students and oral healthcare professionals in the fien art of looking after teeth.Of course, Hanako 2′s overt femaleness might rub a few women as a tad sexist (would the robot be treated less better it it were a guy?) But over looking the implications, Hanako 2 is a fine piece of work.

Of course, the missing piece of Hanako 2′s backstory is he rlfielike appearance is a result of silicone. Manufacturer Tmsuk partnered with a ‘love doll’ maker to amplify her, uhm, feminine qualities. Oh yeah, Hanako 2 can simulate almost every type of facial movement and even speak.

What she can’t do is e your girlfriend. But no worries, as robotic better halfs are sure to come real soon. It’s only a matter of time now. Now for the creepy and rather titillating video:

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