Microsoft today announced a new beta version of Skype for Web that brings a plugin-free version of the service to all modern browsers. Skype for Web beta will be available now to a small number of users, with a broader public rollout planned in the coming months.

skype-for-web-beta-mac
Skye for Web relies on Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) APIs to provide real-time voice calling, video chat and instant messaging via a web browser. At first, the new beta version will require a small download, but as WebRTC expands, this download requirement will disappear. It is compatible with all modern browsers, including Internet Explorer 10, Chrome, Firefox, and Safari 6.

Skype for Web will be available on Skype.com with invitations being sent out to customers on a rolling basis. Once enabled, users will be able to log in to their online Skype account and start messaging or calling friends with a just a few clicks. Though Skype's new web-based communication tool may be useful for some, Mac users on the go may want to meter their usage as Microsoft documents one known issue of increased battery consumption specific to the Skype for Web beta on Safari.

Top Rated Comments

brendu Avatar
141 months ago
I'm impressed with this post-Steve Ballmer Microsoft. That man nearly destroyed the company as far as I am concerned. These new moves are consumer friendly and put Microsoft in a position to compete with Google and maintain relevance going forward. Keep it up Microsoft.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kissaragi Avatar
141 months ago
video cha,t? I think you have a small type-o in your story.

Apple should do a better job of geeting these apps into the Mac App Store. Otherwise the security risks of discussed in earlier stories are real.

My understanding is that this isnt an app?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
\-V-/ Avatar
141 months ago
So with their idiot decision to make the new Skype minimum requirement be Mavericks, their web app will be supported by Safari 6? O_o This is good news for those that can't even upgrade their computers.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2457282 Avatar
141 months ago
video cha,t? I think you have a small type-o in your story.

Apple should do a better job of geeting these apps into the Mac App Store. Otherwise the security risks of discussed in earlier stories are real.

Who is down voting me?
HOW are they down voting me?

Come on, they fixed the misspelling and I see no reason for this down vote. ESPECIALLY when I am not given the option. Poo. Come on MR, make this right.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Michael Goff Avatar
141 months ago
I'm not sure what you are referring to. Ballmer came in and rode on microsofts past successes and was completely blind to the innovation happening around him and thought MS could continue skating by on sales of windows, office, and the ancient and horrid windows mobile. He was late to the modern smartphone game, way late to making a great tablet, and basically failed to see the future of technology at all. His quotes about competitors products made it clear he just didn't get it.

A couple things that Satya it's getting credit for that started under Ballmer:

Option
Open-sourcing .NET
iPad Office first
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
caliguy Avatar
141 months ago
GoToMeeting Free (https://free.gotomeeting.com/) uses WebRTC already and lets you share your entire screen. Doesn't work on Safari yet, though.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
Alleged iPhone 17 Pro Antenna Design

Two All-New iPhone 17 Colors Seemingly Confirmed

Monday August 25, 2025 4:22 am PDT by
Apple will offer the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max in a new orange color, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman made the claim in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, adding that the new iPhone 17 Air – replacing the iPhone 16 Plus – will come in a new light blue color. We've heard multiple rumors about a new iPhone 17 Pro color being a shade of orange. The ...
Awe Dropping Apple Event Feature

Five Things to Expect From Apple's 'Awe Dropping' September 9 Event

Tuesday August 26, 2025 4:17 pm PDT by
Apple today announced its "Awe Dropping" iPhone-centric event, which is set to take place on Tuesday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. There are a long list of products that are coming, but we thought we'd pull out five feature highlights to look forward to. That Super Thin iPhone - Apple's September 9 event will see the unveiling of the first redesigned iPhone we've had in years, ...
awe dropping event

Apple Event Announced for September 9: 'Awe Dropping'

Tuesday August 26, 2025 9:01 am PDT by
Apple will hold its annual iPhone-centric event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, according to an announcement that went out today. The event will start at 10:00 a.m., with select members of the media invited to attend. At the September 2025 iPhone event, Apple will unveil the iPhone 17 lineup, which includes an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air. It...
Awe Dropping Apple Event Feature

Apple Event Logo Hints at Two iPhone 17 Pro Features

Wednesday August 27, 2025 6:36 am PDT by
Apple's logo for its upcoming September 9 event hints at two rumored iPhone 17 Pro features, including new color options and a vapor chamber cooling system. Of course, this is all just speculation for fun, as we count down the final days until the event. New Colors Last month, Macworld's Filipe Espósito reported that orange and dark blue would be two out of the five color options...
airpods pro 2 gradient

AirPods Pro 3: Four Key Design Changes Anticipated

Tuesday August 26, 2025 4:05 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022 other than a shift from Lightning to USB-C, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple will launch AirPods Pro 3 later this year, and apart from new features like heart rate monitoring, we're also expecting a few design changes. The fourth‑generation AirPods offer useful clues to Apple's design cues for ...
iPhone 17 Pro on Desk Centered 1

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 12 New Features

Sunday August 24, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max should be unveiled in a few more weeks, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman corroborated a rumor that iPhone 17 Pro models will be "available in an orange color." Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are...