Roger Fingas
Skype users will soon be able to make free group video calls from mobile devices like iPhones, iPods, and iPads, just as they can on Macs, PCs, and Xboxes, the Microsoft-owned company announced on Tuesday.
People will also be able to make free group calls from Android and Windows 10 phones. The expanded support should officially roll out over "coming weeks," Skype said, but people wanting early preview access can register through the company's website.
There users must enter their country, email address, Skype username, and device type. The company is promising to setup preview participants within a matter of days.
The change may help give Skype an edge over FaceTime, which while built into iOS only supports two-way video calls. FaceTime is also restricted to iOS users.
When it was originally introduced in 2010, Apple promised that FaceTime would be made an open protocol, paving the way for third-party support and adoption as a common standard. So far, though, there has been no sign of that happening.
Christine McKee
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3 Comments
I wonder how long it will be before "cellular phones" are something we reminisce over, and the entire world is a local call away.
Would probably still be a surcharge for calls to/from Mats and the Moon.
And AT&T will somehow still prevent teathering.
I didn't know group video calling was available. A long time ago it was there, years ago, and then I thought it went away and was only available thru a pay. I remember because my friends and I had to use Google hangouts and couldn't all video call thru Skype only voice group calls.
It is beyond me why Apple ever dropped the ability to have up to 4 people on a video call with iChat - I used it in my business all the time. FaceTime has actually been a step backwards. Get on the ball Apple and bake this feature back in to OS X and iOS!!!