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Skype Now Runs In The Browser: Sans-WebRTC & Via Outlook.com

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An tweet by Mark Gillett, CVP Skype & Lync at Microsoft, alerted me to the fact that Skype now runs in the browser via a small plugin.

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How do you get going? Skype didn’t overly advertise to me to download the plugin. Actually I had a little time finding it. (probably looking too hard…) Below are the steps I followed:

Goto People and find a user that is online. Now click on Video Call.

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You will be asked to agree to a TOU & Privacy Policy.

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Now the plugin will start downloading.

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The plugin is approximately 4MB. (as shown below)

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Watch for the Security Warning and click Run

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Done!

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You can now start a call either from the People screen or the Communication pane.

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The Skype plugin is a different Window. (from the browser)image

Call in progress

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Pop out IM during a call

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You can also launch via the Communication pane.

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Our Outlook

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Some notes:

  • Skype from Browser does not require the Skype app, just the plugin
  • The plugin is around 4MB
  • Incoming Calls popup much like Skype client
  • I haven’t figured how to change audio/video devices (if you know, please comment)
  • Make sure geo.gateway.messenger.live.com is not blocked on your network.
  • Multiplatform support (source)
    • Windows: Explorer 8+, Chrome 19, Firefox 12
    • MAC: Chrome, Firefox

It looks like Skype is okay running in the browser. (albeit using a plug-in) Will there be this same openness to running “native” in a browser? Interesting road ahead.

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Skype FAQ: https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA12247/how-do-i-call-video-call-and-instant-message-my-outlook-com-contacts

2 comments:

  1. I think this plug-in uses the native client that is already installed in the machine. But not sure. In any event the diff from WebRTC is not that it requires a plug-in, but that the plug-in is OS dependent. For ex, I am not able to install the plug-in in my Chromebook.

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    Replies
    1. No, plugin does not require Skype app.

      Native in browser would certainly be added benefit. I didn't test it on Mac but i here it works on PC and Mac atm.

      In the browser seems to indicate skype could be open to webrtc when it comes/is available?

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