UPDATED 01:08 EDT / OCTOBER 20 2015

NEWS

Microsoft intros Skype Links, allowing anyone to join in the chat

Microsoft wants Skype to be the de facto communications platform for people all over the world, so much so that users don’t even need to install the Skype app on their devices. Skype for Web is a browser-based version of Skype that lets people participate in chat and live call sessions from within their browser, and now Microsoft has made it even more accessible.

“We’ve started to roll out the ability for users to invite anyone to join a Skype chat by sharing a unique link—send it however you want, in an email, on Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger or Twitter,” Redmond chiefs announced in the official Skype blog. “But best of all, anyone can join the chat as a guest from their computer using Skype for Web and enjoy one-to-one or group instant messaging, voice and video calls.”

The new feature removes the biggest hurdle preventing Skype users from ‘skyping’ with non-Skype users, and comes after Microsoft’s efforts to overcome language barriers with its Skype Translator technology.

Microsoft describes the latest feature as a “new, easier way to start a Skype conversation and invite anyone to join” and reaffirms that recipients of Skype links do not need to download the app, or create an account.

“Now you can use Skype to chat with anyone and not just the people in your Skype contact list,” the Skype Team added in its blog post.

For now, Microsoft is limiting the feature to certain types of devices and regions. The Skype links can only be sent by users in the U.S. and U.K., and they must be using either Skype for Windows, Skype for Mac or Skype for Web. “Additionally, if you have a Skype name and Skype downloaded on your mobile, you can join a conversation on Skype for iPhone, iPad and Android,” Microsoft added.

Microsoft said it’s planning to roll out the feature internationally in the next few weeks, and the next step will be the ability to send links to mobile devices, although there’s no timeline on when that might happen.

Image credit: Secondfromthesun0 via pixabay.com

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