“Chat-Based” Solutions Seem Fond of Video: Microsoft Teams Included Video at Preview Release & Slack Announces They Are Adding Video

Microsoft released their Microsoft Teams chat-based workspace with several differentiators from Slack, a key one of them being video. On 12/12/2016 Slack announced it was adding video as well.

How is Slack video different that Microsoft Teams video?

• 1 to 1 Video is included in Slack’s free product but not group video. (Parity)
• Group Video (up to 15 people) is only available on one of Slack’s paid plans. ( -1)
• Slack has “Emoji Response” which appears to be analogous to Periscopes “Heart” feature that allows users to give feedback in real-time that floats up alongside the video (+1)
• Slack doesn’t mention scheduled video meetings which is a current feature of Teams. (-1)
• Slack doesn’t include Screen sharing (-1) which is a current feature of Teams.

At the moment neither Microsoft Teams nor Slack store a recorded version of video meetings which could be quite interesting and tie in nicely with “chat-based” collaboration that is searchable, especially if they would include a “speech to text” translation with the recording.

Read More:
https://slackhq.com/slack-calls-now-with-100-more-video-50bf365a0d98#.3vldiw644

Microsoft Announces: Windows MyPeople Allows Pinning Contacts to TaskBar

Amid the various announcements around Windows 10 Creators Update, Microsoft announced “Windows MyPeople” which allows users to pin important people right on the Windows Task bar. The articles notes:

With the Creators Update, we are placing people at the center of your Windows experience – right where they belong. Your most important friends, family, and co-workers will be instantly accessible. With Windows MyPeople, you can pin your favorite contacts to the Windows task bar and easily drag and drop any document, photo or video right on top of the contact for easy sharing. You can receive unique notifications, Shoulder Taps, and easily view and open emails, IMs, shared documents and more, all in one place. The Windows MyPeople experience is also integrated across universal Windows apps for easy sharing.
Read more at https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2016/10/26/empowering-a-new-wave-of-creativity-with-the-windows-10-creators-update-and-surface-studio/#oUd1yDegwK2hjQiT.99

What does this actually mean is coming? It appears a few items:

• “Shoulder Taps” are an incoming emoji message that pops up from the Windows taskbar
• Drag and drop files onto a person to share files with them
• Will work with Skype (consumer) & SMS now and Skype for Business & Xbox Live next
• Start an IM, Call or Video right from the Windows Taskbar

Below is a photo of a My People window in use.

Some observations

• Its interesting to note there is no presence being presented from the taskbar (at least according to demos)
• It is also interesting to see the new Windows 10 SMS integration being moved from and center. This feature is quite valuable in my opinion and the first iteration in Windows 10 was a bit basic, but clearly demonstrates value.
• It will be interesting to see how Skype for Business incoming toasts interact with My People popups.

It really seems that pinning a person on the task bar is a no brainer and should be possible.

Read More:
https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2016/10/26/empowering-a-new-wave-of-creativity-with-the-windows-10-creators-update-and-surface-studio/

https://techcrunch.com/2016/10/26/windows-10-gets-more-social-with-my-people-a-taskbar-feature-focused-on-sharing-communication/

Matt Landis’ Enterprise Connect 2016 Skype4B Notes: Announcements & News

I’ve often covered Enterprise Connect remotely, but this year I’m planning to attendant in person. This blog will be updated and be my “scratch pad” of notes about new things I see related to Skype for Business & Office 365. Of course we’ll be glad to meet & talk about Attendant Pro or Call Recording Pro, or just about Skype for Business. (If you’re a vendor with a cool new product related to Skype4B your welcome to ping me on Twitter @matthewlandis)

These notes: http://bit.ly/mattec16 
Official site: http://www.enterpriseconnect.com/orlando/ 
Who will be there: https://twitter.com/SkypeBusiness/lists/ec16-attendees/members

Microsoft Announcements About Skype4B

• Watch the Microsoft Keynote Wed. March 9 – 10-10:30 AM EST by Zig Zerafin:
  • Catch the @SkypeBusiness daily video broadcasts on 3/7 @ 7pm, 3/8 @ 6pm, 3/9 @ 3:15pm ET http://aka.ms/sfbcast

Other Vendor Announcements of Interest to Skype4B Community

Coming

New Skype for Business Vendor Product Announcements

• 6/7 – Cequens Skype for Business Meeting Rooms (in 4 Minutes) Click Here
• 6/7 - Logitech & Illuminari: Logitech + QuickLaunch Meeting Room Vendor: Click Here Us: Click Here
  • (I’m planning to do a video review & interview of this new package)
• 6/7 - Landis Technologies: SEFAUTIL Server for Skype4B: Powershell SEFAUTIL Click Here
• 6/7 - Landis Technologies: Call Recording Pro for Skype for Business & Office 365: Click Here

Matt’s Videos from EC

Matt’s Photos from EC16

 

Logitech + Intel + Illuminari QuickLaunch

Skype for Business iOS Is Here

The Skype for Business app for iOS is now here.

The app sports the same new home screen as the previously released Android app which puts Search Contacts, Upcoming Meeting and Recent conversations forefront as compared to the older app that had search and contact list in the focus.

In call control buttons are nice and big, which means finger friendly and very reminiscent of the Skype consumer app. Microsoft must be thinking users will not be frequently browsing the contact list or dialing via the dialpad as navigation to those screens have smaller buttons.

New Features:

• Simultaneously view content and speaker video
• Full screen video
• Skype for Business look
• ADAL based authentication / multi-factor authentication

iOS gets some features I’ve notice are not on Android (Preview)

• Ability to switch on a conversation to delete it
• Emoticons

Some screenshots: active call

Changing Presence: 3 taps: My picture | Status | Presence

Get the App:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lync-2013-for-iphone/id605841731?mt=8

Manual/Training Doc:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=49123

Office Blog about iOS Skype4B App
https://blogs.office.com/2015/10/14/skype-for-business-ios-app-now-available/

Spectralink Pivot 8753: Android, Smartphone Form Factor, Durable WIFI Portable Phone

It was just a matter of when this happened, not if. Spectralink brings the Pivot 8753: An Android based, smart phone form factor, durable WIFI portable phone. (Wow, that was a mouth full.)

The model number appears to be Pivot 8753.

Some features

• HD voice and full duplex speaker phone
• PTT w/25 channels
• Optional 1D/2D barcode scanner
• ~$895 US

Pivot runs Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2 which means that OS wise Pivot can run Lync Mobile 2013 for Android, which requires 4.x or greater. There is no communication from Spectralink if they support or allow this. Spectralink notes that Pivot “supports the Lync Android application”.

The Pivot does not have a camera at this time.

Pivot Specs (US):
http://www.spectralink.com/pivot/sites/default/files/Spectralink_PIVOT_prospecs_F_021014.pdf

Pivote Press Release:
http://www.spectralink.com/sites/default/files/spectralink_pivot_release_final1.pdf

Spectralink Webpage:
http://www.spectralink.com/pivot/

Lync 2013 Mobile Jan 22,2014 Update: #iPhone Get #iOS 7 Make Over; #WindowsPhone Get Voice Controls

Lync 2013 Mobile has been updated and brings some interesting updates: iPhone/iPad get iOS 7 UI update which ironically makes the UI in i-Devices look much more like Windows Phone. WindowsPhone Lync client get even more integrated into the WP environment via Voice Commands.

Lync 2013 for iPhone

Lync 2013 for iPhone has been update on Jan 22, 2014 to give it a full iOS7 make over.

Ironically it look much more like Windows Phone 8.x version of Lync now.

Other new features:

• View shared PowerPoint presentation during a Lync Meeting

iPad:

Some social feedback on the new iOS Lync  UI:

Lync 2013 Mobile 5.3 Update Integrates Lync Experience More Deeply into Windows Phone With Voice Commands

The upgrades to Lync 2013 for Windows Phone:

• View shared PowerPoint presentation during a Lync Meeting (screen/content sharing was implemented before already)
• Voice Commands

I have long noted that for UC mobile app user take up to happen UC needs to be baked into the mobile experience. It appears that Microsoft is taking more steps in this direction with v5.3 of Lync with Voice Commands. Voice Commands means you can press and hold Windows button and say (for example) “Join Next Meeting”.

Lync for Windows Phone now includes Voice Commands:

Here is the list of Current Voice Commands:

• join next meeting
• join current meeting
• show next meeting
• show current meeting
• show my meetings
• show voice mails
• play voicemails

I would  be glad see phone number dialing, Lync contact dialing and send IM Voice Commands in the future versions of Lync 2013 Mobile for Windows Phone.

iPhone:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-lync-2013-for-iphone/id605841731?mt=8

iPad:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lync-2013-for-ipad/id605608899?mt=8

WindowsPhone 8:
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/lync-2013/d85d8a57-0f61-4ff3-a0f4-444e131d8491

Lync Server 2013 & Lync Phone Edition Get Updates In Cumulative Update January 2014

Looks like CU January 2014 is largely fixes.

Lync Phone Edition gets some fixes: Click Here

• 2918039 Voice is distorted when you resume a call from hold by using Lync Phone Edition for Aries telephone

• 2918044 Exchange integration fails in Lync Phone Edition when an Exchange mailbox is enabled for the Exchange Online service

Lync Server 2013 Gets features & fixes: Click Here

• Feature
• Click Here "operator assistance" feature during a PSTN dial-in conference in a Lync Server 2013
• This update enables administrators to provide support for the *0 Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF) command in a public switched telephone network (PSTN) dial-in conference in a Microsoft Lync Server 2013 environment. After the update is installed, a PSTN caller is able to be transferred to an operator number that the administrator defines.
• To enable this feature, the administrator must provide a valid help desk telephone number in the OperatorLineUri parameter by using the New-CsDialInConferencingDtmfConfiguration cmdlet or the Set-CsDialInConferencingDtmfConfigurationcmdlet.
• Fixes

• 2912334 Event ID 57006 is logged when you cannot restart the Lync Server 2013 front-end service

• 2912338 Can't call Enterprise Voice-enabled users when the users have the same main telephone number in a Lync Server 2013 environment

• 2912340 An external call is routed based on Location-Based Routing that is configured for internal AD sites in a Lync Server 2013 environment

• 2912342 Lync Server 2013 supports TDE in SQL Server 2008 or a later version on a back-end server

• 2912343 Event ID 1001 is logged when the RTCSrv.exe progress crashes on a Lync Server 2013 Edge server

•  

#Sonus SBC1000/2000 Gateways Report QoE to #Lync Monitoring in FW v3.1

It looks like Sonus has implemented Lync monitoring QoE in version 3.1 of their firmware for SBC 1000 and 2000.

Other new features Sonus is noting in Firmware 3.1:

• Lync Monitoring QoE reported to Lync monitoring
• Greater Session count on SBC 1000 from 100 to 160 session
• 3G/4G Failover on SBA’s
• Sonus EMS integration

How QoE on SBC 1K/2K Work? (Click Here for Step by Step Install)

Sonus SBC 1K/2K uses the Lync QoE Agent running on a Windows Server (the Sonus ASM) to collect QoE data.

On the gateway UI the QoE options under System | QoE

Some notes on requirements:

• Sonus QoE license required (click here)
• ASM required on the SBC node functioning as the QoE Agent Server Gateway.

Summary

For Lync Enterprise Voice it is essential to have integrated insight into the quality of all media paths: real-time media hardware  that does not report QoE is like driving a car without a dashboard. All gateways, SBC's and IP phones designed for Lync should have native QoE reporting into Lync Monitoring Server. Currently QoE is not a requirement for Microsoft Lync Qualified Gateways (or IP phones/endpoints) and it is good to see Sonus continuing its Lync related innovation by bringing this very essential functionality to its SBC1000/2000 devices.

While some vendors have their own monitoring tools, in Lync scenarios admins are not looking for yet another tool or pane of glass to implement, monitor and maintain.

Source:
http://discoveruc.com/ai1ec_event/webinar-sonus-introduces-release-3-1-sbc-1000-sbc-2000/?instance_id=22

Webinar on Jan 9, 2013:
https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/registrations/new?cid=hbkarqvb8abf

Sonus SBC1000/2000 Firemware 3.1 Release Notes:
https://support.sonus.net/display/UXDOC31/Sonus+SBC+1000-2000+Documentation

#Cisco VCS 8.1 Release Brings H.264 AVC Interworking to #Lync H.264 SVC

 

Looks like Cisco VCX 8.1 brings H264 interworking between Lync 2013 and Cisco according to @rvaglid.

In March 2013, Shelly Marston (Senior Product Marketing Manager Lync) noted:

A basic assessment concluded positively that interoperability between Lync 2013 and Tandberg VTCs with Video Communication Sever (aka VCS B2B UA) was achievable with minor modifications of the VCS. With Lync 2013, transcoding is no longer required. Hence, there is no need for the expensive Cisco Advanced Media Gateway. In this new interoperability mode, the codec used natively by both systems is H.264 AVC resulting in a higher quality video experience for the end user than was the case with Lync 2010 interoperability. H.263 is no longer required. [highlight mine]

It looks like VCS 8.1 includes this “minor modification”.

Interop Capabilities: (see page 9 of Deploy Guide here)

• Presentation sharing from VCS to Lync 2013 Only
• VCS requires a Microsoft Interoperability key

Thanks and Credit to @rvaglid

More:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/lync/archive/2013/03/16/video-interop-in-lync.aspx

VCS 8.1 Lync Deployment Guide:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/telepresence/infrastructure/vcs/config_guide/X8-1/Cisco-VCS-Microsoft-Lync-Deployment-Guide-X8-1.pdf

VCX 8.1 Configuration Guides:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps11337/products_installation_and_configuration_guides_list.html

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/lync/en-US/ede8a77c-ec39-46dc-afe1-e6670c758382/lync-2013-and-cisco-vcs

AOL Announces Direct Federation With Microsoft Lync and UC Federation Plans for AIM

Is Microsoft Lync the UC solution that consumer IM providers can not afford to not be connected to? But perhaps even more importantly: does AOL have plans to return AIM to relevancy via an enterprise UC federation exchange service?

Microosft has noted that its support for AIM and Yahoo on it’s PIC (Public IM Connectivity) service is “winding down”. While mindshare for AIM among general users is non-existent, there is a loyal following in trader/financial sector users.

In an interesting move that indicates AOL values Microsoft Lync federation, AOL is offering direct AIM federation with Microsoft Lync:

“AOL is pleased to offer Microsoft Lync customers the opportunity to continue their current federation with AIM and establish new federations if needed. For the first time, we are enabling companies with the ability to establish a direct relationship with AOL to provision and manage their connectivity to the AIM network. This will also allow you to have direct and immediate access to AIM technical support engineers who can quickly identify and resolve any AIM-related issues, thus making the transition to AOL is seamless with no disruption to your company and users.

It is interesting the AOL notes they are offering support from “a dedicated team of enterprise engineers…” and “federation with other companies currently connected to the AIM network”

“Our customers receive technical support from a dedicated team of enterprise engineers. In addition, AOL will soon offer other optional services that will extend the reach of federation with AIM to include federation with other companies currently connected to the AIM network.

Does this mean that AOL is aiming (no pun intended!) to become a Lync/UC federation exchange? Will AIM avoid fading into the sunset by becoming relevant again via some enterprise federation exchange service?

Does this indicate that Microsoft is the party not interested in continuing the relationship with their existing PIC service?

To read more including a detailed AIM-Lync FAQ: Click Here
Lync as the Most Connect UC Solution?: Click Here
Lync Federation Directory Project: Click Here
www.aim.com

Kevin Turner: Microsoft Shipping More UC Ent. Voice Lines Than Any Tech Company; #Lync is $1B Product

The Sept 19, 2013 Financial Analyst transcript is available and there are several notable Lync and Skype mentions to not overlook.

“...Lync is a billion-dollar product...”  –Kevin Turner, Microsoft Sept 19, 2013 Financial Analyst Meeting

And then another

“And the ability to take Lync and Skype, now Microsoft is shipping more enterprise voice lines on unified communications than any other technology company in the world...” –Kevin Turner, Microsoft Sept 19, 2013 Financial Analyst Meeting

This comment is slightly ambiguous but I suspect we will hear some more details from the Skype/Lync team shortly on such a big statement.

How is Lync and Skype being positioned? The below graphic sums it up.

 

Below is the Report:
http://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=http://www.microsoft.com/investor/downloads/events/Turner_FAM_2013.docx

http://www.microsoft.com/investor/Events/FAM/2013/default.aspx

#Lync Senior Product Marketing Andrew Cook: Microsoft Lync Is $1 Billion Business--By Itself

In an interview with Doug Green of Telecom Reseller recorded at ITExpo 2013 Las Vegas, Andrew Cook, Lync Senior Product Marketing Manager notes:

“We’re the newest $1Billion business at Microsoft,  there are 16 billion dollar businesses at Microsoft and Lync is one of them. I think we passed that in late May or early June (2013)…”
–-Andrew Cook, Senior Product Marketing

Doug Green notes:

“If Lync was its own company…that would make you [Lync] among the largest companies in the UC space...”

Andrew Cook’s thoughts on WebRTC:

• WebRTC is a huge & hot topic
• It’s not a standard yet
• Start trying it out
• It’s not going to revolutionize anything
• Expect to see Lync WebRTC Meeting Join
• Cook quote: “In the end, what we’ll probably see, (and I’m not promising anything) if a user wants to join a meeting using WebRTC we’ll do that, if not they can join via the Lync Web App…and do it that way…”

Cook’s thoughts on WebRTC are certainly not new as Derek Burney, Corp. VP Microsoft Lync, noted this back in March 2013 at Enterprise Connect 2013 keynote Q&A:

“…the Microsoft Lync Web App uses a plugin today. Microsoft will support webRTC as soon as the standard is ratified. This is a super exciting initiative.”

While we do not hear much industry buzz around Microsoft Lync and WebRTC, we’ve now heard Microsoft convey that WebRTC is likely in the Lync Server future.

Listen to the Whole Podcast over at Telecom Reseller: Click Here
Tom Arbuthnot: Click Here

#Lync News Summary Out of #ITExpo Las Vegas 2013

Below are some items I’ve noticed around Microsoft Lync coming out of ITExpo Las Vegas 2013. You can book mark as we will update as new items announced.

ITExpo website: click here
Take a look at Lync Partner Solutions Pavilion and events: click here

Announcements

• 8/28/2013 – Lync TVA Server by Broad-Connect
  • Description: Lync enable legacy desk phones
  • PR – Click Here
  • TVA Product page – Click Here
• 8/28/2013 – snom demos “Major New Capabilities” on Lync Qualified phones at ITExpo
  • Description: Not announced at this time.
  • Supports Skype to Lync federation: Click Here
  • PR – Click Here
  • Another recently mentioned new Lync Qualified feature: Enhanced Provisioning – Click Here
    

 

ITEXPO News

• Tom Keating notes Lync Session “Jam Packed” - Click Here
  • “Digium / Asterisk employee who commented that the WebRTC session he attended and this Lync session were the two most well-attended panels..”

 

Other Recent Announcements

• Microsoft Lync Resilient Branch Appliance by Audiocodes and Sonus: click here
• Audiocodes Working to Lync Qualify New Audiocodes 420HD Desk Phone: click here
• Sangoma: “Lync Express is a big part of what’s happening at Sangoma right now…” click here

Qi Lu Becomes Head of Skype & Lync: Tony Bates Assigned to Business Development and Evangelism Group

Microsoft has done a big reorganization of teams. What has happening in the area of UC? It appears that Qi Lu is now the head of “Application and Services Engineering Group” which includes app and services in “communication”. From this it looks like Qi Lu is the new head of all things Skype and Lync.

The memo notes that Qi Lu will take over a new “Application and Services Engineering Group” and oversee Office and Skype.

“Applications and Services Engineering Group. Qi Lu will lead broad applications and services core technologies in productivity, communication, search and other information categories.”

Tony Bates has been assigned to “Business Development and Evangelism Group”:

“Business Development and Evangelism Group. Tony Bates will focus on key partnerships especially our innovation partners (OEMs, silicon vendors, key developers, Yahoo, Nokia, etc.) and our broad work on evangelism and developer outreach. DPE, Corporate Strategy and the business development efforts formerly in the BGs will become part of this new group. OEM will remain in SMSG with Kevin Turner with a dotted line to Tony who will work closely with Nick Parker on key OEM relationships.

 

 

Source:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/Press/2013/Jul13/07-11OneMicrosoft.aspx

Other:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/Press/2013/Jul13/07-11memo.aspx

http://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-announces-its-reorg-2013-7

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/12/technology/microsoft-revamps-structure-and-management.html?_r=1&

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qi_Lu

IM/Presence, Video, VoIP Calling Now a Feature of Windows 8 O/S Like Calculator: A New Era for Skype?

 

I’ve been reviewing Windows 8.1 Preview in general and my feeling is that Windows 8 has arrived. Microsoft has done an excellent job at merging Start with Desktop with a new start menu and melding of wallpaper. Allowing users to login directly to the desktop I would think will more than satisfy most concerns about the big change to Windows 8. The built-in Skydrive app syncs files to your pc for offline access. Very good.

Looking specifically at communication in Windows 8.1, it appears that IM/Presence, video and VoIP/voice calling to phones has become a feature of the latest Windows operating system with Skype’s arrival as an app that is part of the Windows operating system

Below are some specifics of that changes in Windows 8.1:

• Windows 8.1 Preview comes with Skype (app store and desktop version) already installed as part of OS app suite
• The Messaging app is no longer installed/available
• Skype requires no login, just login to Windows 8.1 Preview and click on Skype and the associated Skype user will be logged into Skype
• Skype notifications and incoming call toast appears even on Lock screen

Below are some screens shots of how Skype is baked into Windows 8.1 Preview:

People integration

 

<end>

http://vr-zone.com/articles/windows-8-1-final-to-have-skype-built-in-messaging-app-to-be-shown-the-door/41996.html

http://www.theverge.com/2013/6/27/4470280/windows-8-1-no-messaging-app-final-version-to-include-skype

It is interesting to me that Google does not see Presence as

Lync 2013 for Windows 8 Gets an Update: Anon Meeting Join, Click to Dial, Improved Presenting & More

 

Lync 2013 for Windows 8 gets a few new features

• Join Meetings anonymously
• Can now be used as an unauthenticated Lync Attendee client
• Tab to see upcoming meetings
• Snapview has more functionality
• Browse someone else’s shared slides
• Take over as presenter
• Click to dial from Win8 Browser
• Change speed of voicemail playback
• HIgh-contrast support
• More reliable signon

Official Technet Blog on new features:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/lync/archive/2013/06/25/update-lync-windows-store-app.aspx

Johan Delimon over a Pro-Exchange does an overview of the new Lync app features:
http://www.proexchange.be/blogs/lync2013/archive/2013/06/25/update-for-lync-app-in-windows-8-store.aspx?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Get It Hear

Microsoft Lync Getting Web RTC: Plugin-Less Voice & Video in Browser “API Code Is Done”

Microsoft has been steadily marching towards the goal of bringing Voice/Video media into the browser without a plugin. In Feb 2013 they noted a roadmap of bringing voice/video/app sharing media to the Microsoft Lync UCWA API. The first part of UCWA arrived in March 2013 and focused on presence and IM. At Enterprise Connect 2013 Derek Burney, Corporate VP Microsoft Lync, noted that “…the Microsoft Lync Web App uses a plugin today. Microsoft will support webRTC as soon as the standard is ratified. This is a super exciting initiative.”

And now it appears that the code is done (but not yet released) for a Lync API that will bring plugin-less Voice/Video into the browser via HTML5. Tom Kisner, a UC Architect attending Microsoft TechEd 2013, noted the UCWA Overview presentation (June 4) demonstrated voice & video in the browser. The presenter noted “we are done [with API code] and currently scrubbing”. Kisner noted further that the API is using only HTML5 no plugin to bring voice/video into the browser.

The TechEd UCWA Deep Dive session (June 5, in progress as of this writing) is revealing more about the real time component of UCWA. Below is a diagram of media flows (submitted by Mattias Kressmark) and we will post more as information becomes available as this session (OUC-B405) is in progress as of this writing.

It should be noted that UCWA with real time media already is what powers the VOIP/video capabilities in the new Lync Mobile 2013 client. (According to Girija Bhagavatula during OUC-B405 TechEd2013 session, 3 out of the 5 Lync clients are already powered with UCWA)

One could presume that UCWA could be used to remove the need for a plugin for LWA (Lync Web App/ web-based meeting join experience). Lync currently does not have a stand-alone end user web client, but with this API developers or Microsoft could certainly create such a client.

Microsoft has not noted when the voice/video portion of the UCWA API will be released.

If you would like to learn more about Lync UCWA please take a look at the official
https://ucwa.lync.com/


Other Sources:
https://twitter.com/twkisner/status/342009358730792961
http://windowspbx.blogspot.com/2012/07/ucwa-api-in-lync-server-2013-opens.html
Derek Burney announcement: http://windowspbx.blogspot.com/2013/03/corporate-vp-microsoft-lync-derek.html

OUC-B405 TechEd2013
http://channel9.msdn.com/Events/TechEd/NorthAmerica/2013/OUC-B405#fbid=nK7UeP1mZN-

Audiocodes Notes Coming Lync IP Phone To Get Optional Tablet Expansion Module for Attendant Console Functionality

 

Lync Phone Edition has no attendant console and does not integrated to the Lync Attenant Console. snom has their snom Vision and Polycom VVX is planning to introduce an expansion module.

Audiocodes notes that their 400 series will support an “optional tablet expansion for attendant console”. The brochure (below) and press release do not note if the “tablet” is a standard Windows or Android tablet, or if it is some proprietary “module”.

http://www.audiocodes.com/filehandler.ashx?fileid=3249463

 

http://www.audiocodes.com/press-releases/audiocodes-announces-availability-of-400hd-ip-phones-for-microsoft-lync

New Microsoft Lync Optimized and Compatible IP Phone Page

 

It looks like Microsoft is tweaking the designations to be Lync version specific and tweaking what used to be “Lync Qualified” to now be “Compatible with 2013” (or 2010)

Below are new designations:

• Optimized for Lync 2013 (or 2010)
• Compatible with Lync 2013 (or 2010)
• Wireless Phone for Lync 2013 (or 2010)

Some other things noted:

• There are no longer photos of the phones on the page
• a scolling comparison grid instead of full page
• there is a new filter (which will be cool once my suggestion below implemented :)

Some humble suggestions to improve (even more)

• The ability to search is cool, but it should filter out columns, not rows
• related: Excel-like selectors would be great.
• Example:  on USB Wireless Headsets grid have a dropdown that shows different types of earpieces and you can select one or more and list is filtered by that.
• small photos would make perusing helpful
• URLs to vendor page would be excellent

IF you prefer the pages with photos so you can peruse devices (like below) you need to download PDF’s now. Here is where the are at: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=16857

Go checkout the page yourself:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/lync/gg278164

IP Phone Page:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/lync/gg278172.aspx

[News] Microsoft Lync Public IM Connectivity to Yahoo Messenger Goes End-Of-Sale Today (Dec 14, 2012)

According to Yahoo and Microsoft, PIC to Yahoo Messenger (Lync to Yahoo Messenger federation) can no longer be purchased as of today. (Dec 14, 2012) This is the beginning of the process to shut down ahoo PIC. Microsoft says the exact date is TBD but will be no sooner than June 2013.

Considering that the lights are being turned on for Skype, I am more than happy with the trade.

Sources:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/lync/archive/2012/11/26/lync-and-yahoo-federation-end-of-life.aspx
http://www.ymessengerblog.com/blog/2012/11/30/updates-to-yahoo-messenger-features/

Skype Federation:
http://windowspbx.blogspot.com/2012/11/how-to-enable-skype-to-lync-20102013.html