As reported, Skype 5 has recently exited the beta stage that began in November 2010. Company made some improvements in the program, having reduced the size of the application window.

We've reduced the minimum window size, so that those of you who prefer to keep Skype to one side of your screen, for example, can do that more easily. We've also tightened up the contact list, so that you can see 30% more contacts at once. We've reduced the amount of whitespace in the sidebar too.

Other changes include the return of full-screen mode for video calls and easier access to chatting functions during calls. But the most important change is availability of group video calling to Skype's premium package for $4.99 per day or $8.99 per month. Free during the beta testing period the option was free.

You may download Skype 5 from here

Today at the media event in Tokyo Sony unveiled its next-gen PlayStation Portable that will challenge Apple's iOS as a game platform.

The device's codename is NGP (Next Generation Portable) and it was built around five concepts: Revolutionary UI, Location-based Entertainment, Social Connectivity and Converging Real and Virtual Reality. And here are the characteristics of the device according to Engadget:

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Several sources claim that the stock for the 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pros is beginning to run low. Some resellers have suggested that Apple might be planning to update the product line.

The 17″ MacBook Pro generally appears to be in the shortest supply at the moment, with Amazon quoting a shipment window of 1-2 months for the base Core i5 model. For its part, Apple continues to show “within 24-hour” availability of all MacBook Pro models in its online stores, suggesting that the company may be prioritizing remaining stock to serve its customers directly.

The updated MacBook Pros might receive Intel’s Sandy Bridge processors, internal Solid State Drives, thinner design and implemented USB 3.0 or Intel’s Light Peak.

Yesterday firm Canalys has revealed the results of its financial research, where it is said that in the Q4 of 2010 Apple became the number third PC seller in the world if iPad and Mac sales are combined.

The company's computer sales showed 241% increase year over year, as 11.5 million units were shipped in the above-mentioned quarter. That appears to be enough to edge out Dell that shipped only 11.4 million units.

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Last week, the 60-year old woman, living in Israel, was caught by the full body scanners at Israel’s Ben-Gurion International Airport. A woman attempting to smuggle 44 iPhones into Israel “strapping” the handsets all around her body. The woman apparently looked quite conspicuous. She was dressed in full Georgian attire, and was struggling to walk through the airport. So, she raised suspicion and got the officials to run her through the machines.

As far as we know, Apple pushes out a refreshed iMac every 8 months and a major update every 27 months. The last major update was in October 2009 and the last refresh was in July 2010. So, the iMac lineup is due for a refresh this March.  The update will up-to-date the iMac, prepare it for Mac OS X Lion. Moreover, Apple is expected to start bringing the MacBook Air Solid State Drive (SSD) modules to the rest of the Mac family, will add the new Intel’s microarchitecture Sandy bridge to improve graphics and resolution on the 21.5" and 27" displays. Adding this option to the iMacs will improve the readability. Perhaps, Apple will also add an anti-glare option to their iMac display offerings. This will be a minor update, with a major one expected sometime around January 2012.

Frank Muller, a luxury fashion brand well-know in Europe, makes great and really expensive accessories. Recently the brand launched a new line of iPhone 4 cases, which is manufactured in Europe and distributed though Japanese carrier Softbank. Soon the cases will be available for pre-order. This series will be produced as limited edition, 6 different models manufactured 500 times each. Each case will cost $1270. It’s more than the iPhone 4 price.

Apple created a new iPad video ad. It isa called "iPad is Iconic". Let's watch:

This week Engadget unveiled a leaked photo of new Verizon pricing, which shows that the carrier will soon cancel its 150MB data plan, and those who will buy new 3G smartphones will be required to pay $29.99 for every month of unlimited data allowance.

New changes will take place after Verizon will launch CDMA-version of the iPhone 4 on Feb. 10.

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Yesterday Apple seeded the second beta of Mac OS X 10.6.7, known as Build 10J846, to developers. Apple has reportedly asked developers to concentrate on AirPort, Bonjour, SMB and Graphics Drivers and added Mac App Store as an area of focus for developers. Mac App Store changes weren’t mentioned in the first developer build seeded last Thursday.  Apple also issued a new beta of Mac OS X 10.6.7 Server, which includes one known issue, in which clients may fail to NetBoot from NetRestore image of 10.6.6 created with Mac OS X Server 10.6.6.

As reported, Apple teamed up with an unnamed Japanese company finally developed a new process for controlling the uniform application of white paint to the iPhone 4. As rumors, appeared due to delay of the white iPhone 4, claimed, the device wasn’t launched in time because of problems with the paint being used, which led  to light leaking through the painted surfaces. According to iLounge, “the new material allows for the thickness of the painted layer to be specified prior to application, which apparently results in better yields and fewer defective products”. With this new material, Apple has apparently been able to successfully manufacture white iPhone 4. Though, it remains unclear whether the white iPhone 4 is in fact on track for a spring release.

The iPhone 4 was launched more than seven months ago. So it’s time for rumors about the next-generation Apple’s handset. Let’s imagine what we may expect from iPhone 5:

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Gail Davis won the Apple’s 10 billionth app countdown. But her reaction was a little surprising. Then Apple called her to say that she had won a $10, 000 iTunes Gift Card, she just hung up the phone. As she explained she thought that it was a prank call. But thankfully Apple’s employee recalled her, so, the happy winner was able to claim her prize. The 10billionth application became a free game Paper Glider which was downloaded by Davis' daughters.

Apple created an official Twitter account for the App Store, appropriately named @appstore. Apple now owns that domain.  Within just a few hours, the account landed its 50,000th follower and continues to grow rapidly. The new App Store account lets Twitter users subscribe to regular update tweets posted by the company. With help of the new account Apple promises to promote new apps, and exclusive App offers which direct users to the web version of the iTunes App Store, which links to the app within iTunes for further review or to download it.

Last week the rumored white iPhone 4 appeared in Best Buy database. And recently the device has been listed in AT&T's Online Account Management system as an option for users managing their accounts online. Both 16GB and 32GB versions of the phone listed in the model picker, which could definitely suggest that the company is getting ready to finally make them available. The carrier's online account tool obviously doesn’t t include any indication as far as when we might expect white iPhone 4 models.

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