Want Some Facebook With That Skype? New Windows Client Adds IM Support

In October 2010, Skype debuted new Windows software with deep Facebook integration, adding the ability to use the client to monitor your Facebook news feed and post, like or comment on status updates straight from your desktop.

This morning, the company (which has been acquired by Microsoft in the meantime)released Skype for Windows 5.5 Beta, which now also lets you have instant messaging conversations with Facebook friends directly from the desktop client.

Aside from support for Facebook Chat, the client also comes with a dedicated contacts tab that filters your Skype contact list down to just your Facebook friends.

Other enhancements include a new ‘Call Control’ toolbar, improvements to the saving of a phone number in the “Call Phones” section and a number of UI changes.

Skype says the final version of the client will be released ‘soon’.

Skype

Website:	skype.com
Location:	Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Founded:	August 1, 2003
Acquired:	May 10, 2011 by Microsoft for $8.5B in Cash

Skype is a peer-to-peer Internet telephony service that is free for Skype-to-Skype calls. The service also allows Skype users to call mobiles and landlines, and vice-versa. Skype has special charge plans for non-Skype-to-Skype calls. 

Facebook

Website:	facebook.com
Location:	Palo Alto, California, United States
Founded:	February 1, 2004
Funding:	$2.34B

Facebook is the world’s largest social network, with over 500 million users.