Skype teams up with Facebook
Skype is teaming up with Facebook to facilitate easier calls and video chats between friends and family on the social networking site.
A new Skype release will incorporate a Facebook tab that will allow users to call and text friends directly from either a mobile phone or landline. If that friend is also a Skype user the call can be made free as a Skype-to-Skype call.
The system also allows users to update their profiles directly using the Skype interface.
The tie up is an attempt by the social media site to cement its position as a communications and messaging platform to include voice and video.
Analysts also see synchronicity in both players markets with Skype drawing a greater audience share from outside the US. Skype meanwhile will benefit form being directly integrated into Facebook conversations.
Some envisage the internet firms one day challenging the dominance of cellular networks with a web based communication network.