Skype adds Facebook calling to its latest beta

VOICE OVER IP SERVICE Skype has added Facebook video calling to a beta release of its standalone client.

Skype announced it has integrated the ability to call Facebook users through its clients for Microsoft's Windows and Apple's Mac OS X. The feature will allow users to initiate a 'Facebook to Facebook' call without having to visit the social network's web site.

Surprisingly Skype's integration has gone further than just being able to call people linked to Facebook accounts, with the firm confirming that users can read status updates and send instant messages too.

Even though Skype's client negates the need to visit Facebook's website for some tasks, users will have to link their Facebook account to Skype in order to generate a list of reachable Facebook 'friends'. So while Facebook might lose out on a few advertising eyeballs, it's very likely that the firm will get valuable information on who is calling who.

Skype's latest beta also includes updated video rendering, which the company claims will deliver smoother video. For Skype Premium users there is group screen sharing and one-on-one video calling can screen share while streaming video.

The extent to which Skype has been allowed to integrate Facebook services is a little surprising. For those who are fed up with 'feed spam', Skype's cut down Facebook might be just what they want. µ