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Facebook adds Skype-backed video chat

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 06 Jul 2011 10:31 User comments (3)

Facebook adds Skype-backed video chat Facebook has announced it will add Skype-based video chat to its service, a move that should help the company rival Google's newly launched Google+ hangouts.
The social networking behemoth has 750 million users while Skype has slightly over 200 million. The VoIP company is expected to see a large boost in users over the coming months thanks to the partnership.

Skype will also help keep Facebook users engaged, as well as give them a reason to come back and check each day.

While free, the service is limited to two-person Skype-Skype chats. Google's Hangouts allows for up to 10 people in a video chat.

Eventually Skype will introduce a pay service where users can use Facebook/Skype to call mobile/landline phones.

Microsoft recently purchased Skype for $8.5 billion and Microsoft has a 1.6 percent share of Facebook's private shares, valued at an estimated $1.2 billion.



(Pic via Reuters)

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3 user comments

17.7.2011 00:48

Seems Like a odd thing to get excited about.

27.7.2011 19:47

Didn't yahoo and MSN and GTalk do this years ago?

38.7.2011 19:52

Hmmm, didn't MS just buy Skype? And now they're partnering up with FB?

*raises eyebrow*

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