Hotmail officially dead: Skype now offers direct calls from Outlook.com inbox
Hotmail officially dead announced by Microsoft and now skype offers direct calls from outlook.com inbox. Users of Microsoft's new Outlook.com email service are getting a bonus of sorts: a preview version of videoconferencing Skype right in their inboxes.
Microsoft's product director of marketing for Skype Simon Longbottom said the feature will be rolled out in the United Kingdom first, then in the United States and Germany.
"In the coming months, audio and video calling powered by Skype will be available in every Outlook.com inbox. By adding Skype conversations to your modern email, Microsoft is creating yet another way for you to connect to the people you care about most," he said.
He said the preview version of Skype for Outlook.com allows users to enjoy Skype video and audio calls from their inboxes - "less typing, more talking!" Gmanetwork reported
"Just click on the Skype audio or video call buttons in your IM conversation. To start a call while reading an email from a friend on Outlook.com, move your mouse over the friend’s picture and click on the Skype audio or video call buttons that appear above his or her contact details," he said.
Longbottom also noted Outlook.com, in its first six months after launch, had attracted 60 million new users, becoming the fastest-growing email service in history.
Yet, he said text isn’t enough, as users may face situations "where it’s just easier to jump on a call to talk something through."
"Sometimes that quick call can accomplish more than a long email reply. That’s why we are bringing Skype audio and video calling to your Outlook.com inbox. Now, with Skype for Outlook.com, you can choose the right medium for your message, whether it is an email, call, video call or instant message (IM) — you can connect with your Skype and Messenger friends all in the same place," he said.
Users may need to download a browser plugin that will work with Internet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox, Longbottom said.
On the other hand, users with existing Skype accounts will be asked to link Skype and Outlook.com "in a few simple steps." — TJD, GMA News
Microsoft's product director of marketing for Skype Simon Longbottom said the feature will be rolled out in the United Kingdom first, then in the United States and Germany.
"In the coming months, audio and video calling powered by Skype will be available in every Outlook.com inbox. By adding Skype conversations to your modern email, Microsoft is creating yet another way for you to connect to the people you care about most," he said.
He said the preview version of Skype for Outlook.com allows users to enjoy Skype video and audio calls from their inboxes - "less typing, more talking!" Gmanetwork reported
"Just click on the Skype audio or video call buttons in your IM conversation. To start a call while reading an email from a friend on Outlook.com, move your mouse over the friend’s picture and click on the Skype audio or video call buttons that appear above his or her contact details," he said.
Longbottom also noted Outlook.com, in its first six months after launch, had attracted 60 million new users, becoming the fastest-growing email service in history.
Yet, he said text isn’t enough, as users may face situations "where it’s just easier to jump on a call to talk something through."
"Sometimes that quick call can accomplish more than a long email reply. That’s why we are bringing Skype audio and video calling to your Outlook.com inbox. Now, with Skype for Outlook.com, you can choose the right medium for your message, whether it is an email, call, video call or instant message (IM) — you can connect with your Skype and Messenger friends all in the same place," he said.
Users may need to download a browser plugin that will work with Internet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox, Longbottom said.
On the other hand, users with existing Skype accounts will be asked to link Skype and Outlook.com "in a few simple steps." — TJD, GMA News
