Microsoft is introducing the ability to make Skype calls within its web-based e-mail service Outlook.com as of today.
Outlook became the net standard for Microsoft users just a short time ago, with a complete overhaul in design and functionality rolling out over the last few months. Existing and new UK account holders with the former Hotmail can make their first calls from the web starting today, with users in the US and Germany getting the video-calling upgrades in coming weeks. This will be continuing with a worldwide distribution of Skype for Outlook.
To benefit from Skype calling, Outlookers will need to install a plugin which affixes to all of the most popularly used browsers: Microsoft’s own Internet Explorer, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Once an Outlook account is paired with Skype and the plugin installed, video chat and instant messaging will be available. Skype recently took over from the long standing MSN Messenger in becoming Microsoft’s place for instant messaging, chatting and video calling.
This is another step in Microsoft’s vision of brand unity across its full product range as it seeks to keep up with rival Google, which already allows Hangout video chats to be started from its Gmail service and has recently brought all its web based platforms into sync with a common uniformed style.