Facebook picks up Skype for video calls

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg today announced three new features to be introduced in the social network (group chat, new chat design and video calls). The most interesting of the lot is video calling that uses Skype’s technology.

The move is pretty obvious, I guess, considering Microsoft recently bought Skype and Facebook is partly owned by Microsoft too*.

Skype is tapping into a vast number of people now that it will be integrated with Facebook and though there is the danger (business-wise) that people already using Skype might skip the software and just use the FB App to do video calls. At the same time, this will also help Skype get more users to eventually pay for Skype Out. FB’s new video call is basically an in-house Skype FB applet.

* Microsoft invested $240PHP 14,085INR 20,340EUR 229CNY 1,747 million in Facebook at 1.6% share (2007).

* Microsoft’s acquisition of Skype is not yet final, pending approval.

Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

https://www.yugatech.com

20 Comments

Teknisyan says:

13 years ago

So it comes down to this.

Google+android+Googleplsu vs facebook+skype+microsoft vs apple+twitter

Baka naman in the end… Facebook will be owned by Microsoft.
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iDon2 says:

13 years ago

Ay wow!! These merge/collaborations are nothing but good news to us!! hehehe can’t wait ro try it!!!
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adam says:

13 years ago

Its a preemptive action from Facebook pantapat nila yan sa Google+ feature which is the HangOut.
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rey says:

13 years ago

the feature is already rolled out last night. you can access it at:
http://www.facebook.com/videocalling
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nameless says:

13 years ago

Wow! Nice upgrades, but can’t benefit much because of the poor internet service here in the philippines. boo.
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Red Schubox says:

13 years ago

Kelan naman kaya yung circle feature nila?
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Jonaflormicfren says:

13 years ago

Integration and merging is another way of putting power to business.
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bloggermania says:

13 years ago

ohh tlga i like this…
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neil says:

13 years ago

i am already using this app to call my cousins… works great!!! http://www.facebook.com/videocâ€‹alling
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JEff says:

13 years ago

Naku, pwede na rin kaya facebook video calling sa mga smartphones? patay na ang video calling ng smart at globe kung ganun. hehehe
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Peej says:

13 years ago

I am currently testing these feature and it seems good for now. Unfortunately may konting lag and disconnection lang. Looking forward for more good stuff for this new videochat feature of Facebook.

The only bad thing here is, lalong magiging sakit ulo ito kasi maggamit ang videochat for any lewd activities.
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drealmarlon says:

13 years ago

bakit hindi ko ma install yung fb videocall plugins?nag eeror lang?
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renor says:

13 years ago

mas trip ko Hangout feature ng Google+. :) already tried it with 10 of my friends, sabay sabay. :D
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mr. bogito says:

13 years ago

atlast
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Friendly says:

13 years ago

Yes! Thats Great! :D
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