Skype for Web Beta Brings Video Calls to Your Browser

Microsoft has unveiled Skype for Web today. The new service, still in beta, allows video and voice calls via your browser, with no downloads or plugins required.

Skype:

You can use Skype for Web without having to download an app before you get started, which means anyone new to Skype can get chatting even faster. Simply sign in to Skype for Web on Skype.com and you’ll be able to connect and start instant messaging directly from your browser.

Skype for Web is compatible with Internet Explorer, Chrome on Windows, Firefox or Safari. If you already use Skype, go to Skype.com and sign in to see all your contacts and latest conversation history.

Microsoft is using Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) APIs to enable Skype’s browser-to-browser voice calling, video chat, and instant messaging. The emerging web standard has the backing of Google, Mozilla, Microsoft, and others.

Microsoft is making Skype for Web available to a small number of new and existing users to begin with, so look for an invite when you login to your Skype account on Skype.com.

Chris Hauk

Chris is a Senior Editor at Mactrast. He lives somewhere in the deep Southern part of America, and yes, he has to pump in both sunshine and the Internet.