Microsoft Announces New Skype for Web Beta with Future Plugin-Free Safari Support - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Microsoft Announces New Skype for Web Beta with Future Plugin-Free Safari Support

by

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

156 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)
156 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
156 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)
156 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
156 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
156 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

apple pro tell logo

Apple Launching Five New Products Today

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:59 am PST by
Apple is launching five new products on Friday, November 6, following pre-orders that opened last week, including its first touchscreen MacBook Pro models. The following new products will be available from today: iPad mini with OLED display and A20 Pro chip iMac with M6 chip 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 chip 14-inch MacBook Pro with OLED touchscreen 16-inch MacBook Pro with OLED...
Apple Store Logo

Apple Store in UK Permanently Closing Later This Month

Tuesday November 3, 2026 7:34 am PST by
Apple today announced that its Festival Place store in Basingstoke, England will be permanently closing on Saturday, November 21. Apple Festival Place Apple had already announced that the store would be closing in November, but it had not provided the public with a specific date until now. Apple's store inside the Festival Place shopping center opened in 2011, so it had a 15-year run....
iPhone 18 Pro Burgundy Feature

MKBHD Switches Back to iPhone 18 Pro After Testing iPhone Duo

Tuesday November 3, 2026 5:10 am PST by
YouTuber Marques Brownlee has switched back to the iPhone 18 Pro after spending more than two weeks with the iPhone Duo. On the latest episode of the "Waveform" podcast, Brownlee said he missed the Pro's cameras and Face ID. He added that he would miss opening the iPhone Duo, using it in portrait, and reading on the larger screen. Despite strong initial demand for Apple's first foldable...
Latest Stories
Apple Surveys iPhone Duo Buyers About Crease and Camera
Apple Surveys iPhone Duo Buyers About Crease and Camera
10 hours ago
Apple's First Touchscreen Mac is Now Arriving to Customers
Apple's First Touchscreen Mac is Now Arriving to Customers
11 hours ago
Claude Gets Personal Finance Feature With Bank Account Linking
Claude Gets Personal Finance Feature With Bank Account Linking
12 hours ago
Apple Arcade Adds Crossy Road Rush and NBA 2K27
Apple Arcade Adds Crossy Road Rush and NBA 2K27
12 hours ago
Apple's New HomeView Smart Home Hub: Here's How Much RAM It Has
Apple's New HomeView Smart Home Hub: Here's How Much RAM It Has
13 hours ago
iPad Mini vs. iPad Air Buyer's Guide: Now Just $50 Apart
iPad Mini vs. iPad Air Buyer's Guide: Now Just $50 Apart
14 hours ago
First iOS 27.3 and macOS Golden Gate 27.3 Public Betas Now Available
First iOS 27.3 and macOS Golden Gate 27.3 Public Betas Now Available
15 hours ago
Apple Announces a New Mac Sales Record
Apple Announces a New Mac Sales Record
16 hours ago
Paid $200 for Logic Pro? Apple Says You Won't Get This New Feature
Paid $200 for Logic Pro? Apple Says You Won't Get This New Feature
17 hours ago
Instagram's Edits Video Editor is Now Available on Mac
Instagram's Edits Video Editor is Now Available on Mac
17 hours ago
Prevent Siri and Search From Accessing Specific iPhone Apps
Prevent Siri and Search From Accessing Specific iPhone Apps
17 hours ago
Best Early Black Friday Deals on iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo
Best Early Black Friday Deals on iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo
18 hours ago
MacBook Pro PROLED XDR Reviews Are In: Is the Touchscreen Worth It?
MacBook Pro PROLED XDR Reviews Are In: Is the Touchscreen Worth It?
19 hours ago
Early Black Friday Accessory Deals at Amazon Include TVs, Headphones, and Charging Devices
Early Black Friday Accessory Deals at Amazon Include TVs, Headphones, and Charging Devices
19 hours ago
Apple Creator Studio App Updates Rolling Out, Starting With Logic Pro
Apple Creator Studio App Updates Rolling Out, Starting With Logic Pro
19 hours ago
Siri AI Waitlist Now Limited to Times of 'High Demand,' Says Apple
Siri AI Waitlist Now Limited to Times of 'High Demand,' Says Apple
21 hours ago
See Apple's Touchscreen MacBook Pro in Action
See Apple's Touchscreen MacBook Pro in Action
22 hours ago
MacBook Neo Shipments Expected to Double in 2027
MacBook Neo Shipments Expected to Double in 2027
22 hours ago
HomeView Code Suggests Future Support for AI Chatbot Apps, Anti-Spoofing Protection
HomeView Code Suggests Future Support for AI Chatbot Apps, Anti-Spoofing Protection
23 hours ago
Got an iPhone Duo on Launch Day? Today Could Be Your Last Chance to Return It
Got an iPhone Duo on Launch Day? Today Could Be Your Last Chance to Return It
1 hour ago
Apple Launching Five New Products Today
Apple Launching Five New Products Today
19 minutes ago
Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 256 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements
Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 256 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements
1 day ago
Apps Can Now Try to Stop You From Canceling Subscriptions
Apps Can Now Try to Stop You From Canceling Subscriptions
1 day ago
'Super Mario Odyssey' Can Now Run on Apple TV Thanks to AI
'Super Mario Odyssey' Can Now Run on Apple TV Thanks to AI
1 day ago
How 'Resident Evil' Director Zach Cregger Uses His iPhone to Make Movies
How 'Resident Evil' Director Zach Cregger Uses His iPhone to Make Movies
2 days ago
HomePod Mini 2's Amount of RAM Confirmed
HomePod Mini 2's Amount of RAM Confirmed
2 days ago
Apple TV's '12 Days of Snoopy' Special Arrives November 13
Apple TV's '12 Days of Snoopy' Special Arrives November 13
2 days ago
Apple is Putting Employees on an AI Budget
Apple is Putting Employees on an AI Budget
2 days ago
Apple Releases Xcode 27.3 Beta With Three New Features
Apple Releases Xcode 27.3 Beta With Three New Features
2 days ago
Apple Will Check Public iCloud Links for Harmful Content Starting in iOS 27.3
Apple Will Check Public iCloud Links for Harmful Content Starting in iOS 27.3
2 days ago