Facebook video calling dials into Skype

Updated Mac and Windows beta platforms live

18 November 2011 11:49 GMT / By Paul Lamkin

Back in July, Mark Zuckerberg took to the stage to announce the arrival of video chat, powered by Skype, into the social network.

And now, the ability to video call your Facebook buddies has extended to the Skype software, meaning that you no longer need to log into Facebook on your browser to speak face-to-face with your friends, so long as you're signed into Facebook on Skype.

Calls can be made to Facebook contacts just using the Skype platform, or you can mix and match; Skype to Facebook, for example.

"This new development in the Skype-Facebook partnership is the latest example of how Skype is removing communication barriers and making it easier to connect with friends, family and business colleagues," said Rick Osterloh VP, product and design at Skype.

"Our approach to social is about personal connections with people. We are on a mission to connect over one billion people and our continued partnership with Facebook brings us one step closer to this goal."

Facebook has over 800 million users and Skype has almost 700 million, so that target isn't far off.

The new video chat feature is available in Skype 5.4 Beta for Mac and Skype 5.7 Beta for Windows. Friends to speak to, you have to supply yourself.

Full tags

Facebook, Skype, Video conferencing, Online, Software, VoIP