Microsoft said that it was building a Web client for Skype last year, and it has been operating in a very beta since then. Today, the beta got opened up to every Skype user in the US and UK, with the rest of the world being added in coming weeks.
Microsoft’s plan is to use an API called ORTC or Object Real Time Communications, which is currently being developed by Microsoft, Google and others. But, this specification is not complete, with only Microsoft’s Edge browser likely to support it any time soon. So now Skype for Web is depending on a range of browser plugins and extensions.
With Skype for web, you can visit web.skype.com in the US and UK, sign in, and instantly start chatting without having to download anything more than a simple plugin.
It’s a tremendous step for Microsoft’s Skype team, which has been working hard over the past years to implement a Real Time Communications solution on the web.
As expected, Skype for web will allow you to seamlessly sync your conversations across all of your devices, whether it’s a mobile phone, tablet, PC or even web-connected television or Xbox One.
Skype says it has improves the way you can search in Skype for Web:
“Instead of two separate lists for contacts and recent conversations, Skype for Web introduces a timeline view – a single, searchable list that makes it easier to start new conversations and find existing ones.”
Skype for Web is compatible across all browser including Internet Explorer, Chrome, Safari and Firefox, but need a simple pulgin to make it work.
Skype is just the latest calling and messaging application to join the web based app ranks. Other messaging apps on the web include WeChat Web, Whatsapp for Web, Voxer for Web.
You’ll want to make sure you install the plugin so you can get started with Skype for Web right away.