Skype and Outlook Merge, Several Countries Benefit
Posted by aonenetworks On August 21, 2013
Now, if you live in the US, Brazil, Canada, or another handful of countries, you can finally make Skype calls directly from your Outlook application, even if you don’t have Skype installed.
Two of the largest communication services Microsoft owns have now been linked (Outlook and Skype), and so far the results have been promising. As of earlier this week, Outlook customers that reside in the US, UK, Germany, France, Brazil, or Canada can now use Skype directly from their emails. This includes video calling and the integrated Skype messaging service that allows you to text mobile numbers.
“E-mail is an important and personal tool for most people, but there are moments when you want to be able to speak live or chat face-to-face,” Outlook manager Dawn Martynuik stated in the Microsoft Office blog. “In a recent Ipsos Public Affairs poll 76 percent of people say that their e-mail conversations frequently or occasionally result in a follow-up phone or video call, or other means of communication. Those moments are perfect for Skype, and now, face-to-face connection right from your inbox is just a click away.”
Outlook has already taken the step towards connecting to social media, and integrates flawlessly with Facebook and Gmail. In addition, Skype is set to replace Microsoft’s own messenger client in the next few months. The official timetable has not been announced.
While there hasn’t been any official news, Skype’s integration into Outlook for international customers is expected “soon.”
Photo Credit: Skype/Microsoft
