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Microsoft Edge To Support Skype For Web Without Plugins

Skype

Have you ever scheduled plans with a distant friend to connect via video conferencing technology only to realize you hadn’t yet installed the proper plug-ins or hadn’t upgraded to the latest version of a particular application? Such incidents are even more embarrassing for those trying to make a new video connection for an interview or business meeting!

By the end of this year, many Skype users will no longer have to fear this. In fact, they may not even need to run Skype as an independent program to get the video conferencing service they need. Advances in video chatting technology are booming across the industry as customers demand more face time for both social and professional purposes.

Skype has been challenging itself since 2014 to make their calling and video chatting services available in-browser without the need for plug-ins. The updates will, at least for now, only apply to those using the Microsoft Edge web browser with Windows 10. Since the Windows 10 Insider Preview is equipped with Object RTC API, real-time audio and video communication won’t only apply to Skype, but also to users of Outlook.com and other WebRTC-compatible services. According to Engadget, it is currently unclear whether similar services will be developed for other web browsers such as Firefox, Chrome, and Safari.

Windows Central quoted Microsoft as saying, “We’re thrilled about the exciting scenarios that ORTC APIs enable and we are proud to be one of the first to use these ORTC APIs in the Edge Browser. The ORTC APIs will enable us to develop advanced real-time communications scenarios – like group video calls with participants all on different browsers and operating systems – using features like Simulcast and Scalable Video Coding (SVC), all while preserving the ability to easily interop with existing telephony networks.”

We’re thrilled about the exciting scenarios that ORTC APIs enable and we are proud to be one of the first to use these ORTC APIs in the Edge Browser.

Microsoft noted that a similar user experience would potentially be brought to Skype for Business as well.

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