Skype has announced that users of its services now make real-time video and group video calling on Microsoft’s Edge browser.
According to Skype, its Skype for Web, Outlook.com, Office Online and OneDrive now support real-time, plugin free voice, video and group video calling on Microsoft’s Edge browser, using the ORTC media engine that was recently embedded in Microsoft Edge.
The ORTC (Object Real-Time Communications) is a free, open project that enables mobile endpoints to talk to servers and web browsers with Real-Time Communications (RTC) capabilities through native and simple Javascript APIs.
According to Skype, using ORTC in Skype requires no download, no plugin to install, saying “just sign-in and click to start a call on Skype with Microsoft Edge”.
With this new launch, Skype calls on the web are hassle free for those using Outlook.com every day and to those that visit Skype.com wanting to make a call or anyone preparing a presentation on PowerPoint online.
Skype added that “plugin free calling enables quick-fire chat and collaboration, making it easier to get things done together, with anyone, anywhere. No matter where you are, Skype calling on the web is now just a tap away, right there, ready to go”.
Skype further explains that “if you are calling from Microsoft Edge, ask the people you are calling to upgrade to the latest version of Skype for Windows or Mac or to use Skype for Web on Microsoft Edge”.
According to Skype, “today’s launch is exciting news and is the first step towards fulfilling the commitment we’ve made to support WebRTC in Skype and Skype for Business. But we want to bring seamless calling to everyone, not just people using Microsoft Edge. To make this a reality, we will continue to work on enabling audio and video interoperability with Chrome and Firefox browsers, once they both support the H.264 video codec”.
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