SOFTWARE DEVELOPER Microsoft has integrated its
voice over internet protocol (VoIP) service Skype into Outlook.com so
that users can make calls via the email service.
The feature is being rolled out today in the UK first in the form of a "preview" plug-in that can be downloaded via a web browser.
Once the plug-in is installed, a Skype video chat or VoIP call can be initiated while reading an email at Outlook.com. To do this, users just need move their mouse over the friend's picture and click on the Skype audio or video call buttons that appear above his or her contact details.
Skype said in a blog post that it added its video and call features to Outlook for those times when you just can't be bothered to type an email.
"We all face those situations where it's just easier to jump on a call to talk something through," Skype senior director Simon Longbottom said. "Sometimes that quick call can accomplish more than a long email reply. That's why we are bringing Skype audio and video calling to your Outlook.com inbox."
To get the plug-in, users need to connect Skype to Outlook.com using their Microsoft account, once the plug-in has been downloaded via the web browser. After Skype and Microsoft accounts have been merged, the service will also allow users to add all of their Skype contacts to their Outlook.com contacts list.
The preview will start rolling out to UK customers beginning today, however it won't reach the US and Germany until "the coming weeks", with worldwide availability scheduled for this summer.
Microsoft replaced its rather outdated email service Hotmail with Outlook.com back in February, seven months after it unveiled the preview version in July. Microsoft said that the upgrade would be "seamless and instant" for people who use Hotmail, with their @hotmail.com email address, password, messages, folders, contacts, rules and vacation replies staying the same with no disruption in service.
However, since that time users have encountered many service disruptions as part of the transition, during which they've been unable to access either service.
SOURCE : http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2265069/microsoft-integrates-skype-into-outlookcom
The feature is being rolled out today in the UK first in the form of a "preview" plug-in that can be downloaded via a web browser.
Once the plug-in is installed, a Skype video chat or VoIP call can be initiated while reading an email at Outlook.com. To do this, users just need move their mouse over the friend's picture and click on the Skype audio or video call buttons that appear above his or her contact details.
Skype said in a blog post that it added its video and call features to Outlook for those times when you just can't be bothered to type an email.
"We all face those situations where it's just easier to jump on a call to talk something through," Skype senior director Simon Longbottom said. "Sometimes that quick call can accomplish more than a long email reply. That's why we are bringing Skype audio and video calling to your Outlook.com inbox."
To get the plug-in, users need to connect Skype to Outlook.com using their Microsoft account, once the plug-in has been downloaded via the web browser. After Skype and Microsoft accounts have been merged, the service will also allow users to add all of their Skype contacts to their Outlook.com contacts list.
The preview will start rolling out to UK customers beginning today, however it won't reach the US and Germany until "the coming weeks", with worldwide availability scheduled for this summer.
Microsoft replaced its rather outdated email service Hotmail with Outlook.com back in February, seven months after it unveiled the preview version in July. Microsoft said that the upgrade would be "seamless and instant" for people who use Hotmail, with their @hotmail.com email address, password, messages, folders, contacts, rules and vacation replies staying the same with no disruption in service.
However, since that time users have encountered many service disruptions as part of the transition, during which they've been unable to access either service.
SOURCE : http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2265069/microsoft-integrates-skype-into-outlookcom
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