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Skype For Web Beta Goes Worldwide

Posted by samzenpus on from the around-the-world dept.

SmartAboutThings writes: Just days after offering a limited beta release of Skype for Web to customers in the U.S. and UK, Microsoft has made the beta available to users from all over the world. The expansion adds support for: Arabic, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, English, German, Greek, Spanish, Estonian, Finnish, French, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Romanian, Russian, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian, Chinese Simplified, and Chinese Traditional.

76 comments

  1. Fix the linux client next by JustBen · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Now maybe they will have time to fix screen sharing in the Linux client.

    --
    Buy my shit at http://www.cellup.com
    1. Re:Fix the linux client next by binarylarry · · Score: 4, Funny

      Oh they're going to fix Linux good.

      --
      Mod me down, my New Earth Global Warmingist friends!
    2. Re:Fix the linux client next by Zappy · · Score: 2

      No; Not jet at least. Web version tells me in both Chrome and Firefox "Audio and video calls are not supported on your OS". (Fedora 21)

    3. Re:Fix the linux client next by Njorthbiatr · · Score: 1

      Why would they do that when they can add even bigger emoticons.

      Let's get your priorities straight.

    4. Re:Fix the linux client next by juanfgs · · Score: 1

      Why would they do that when they can add even bigger emoticons.

      Oh those aren't even animated on Linux. They could fix that too!

    5. Re:Fix the linux client next by requerdanos · · Score: 1

      > Audio and video calls are not supported on your OS

      I was surprised and nonplussed to get this message also, a few days ago. (Linux Mint 17.1). I couldn't help but wonder, what has the OS to do with something running within the browser? Other web sites can use my camera and microphone just fine (eg. Google Hangouts). What technical reason would there be for Linux to be frozen out?

    6. Re:Fix the linux client next by requerdanos · · Score: 1

      > those aren't even animated on Linux

      Skype -> Options -> IM -> Show Animated Emoticons

    7. Re:Fix the linux client next by biodata · · Score: 1

      Is this due to the website detecting your OS through a message from the browser, and telling you to fuck off, or some kind of actual incompatibility in the browser software on that OS?

      --
      Korma: Good
    8. Re:Fix the linux client next by guruevi · · Score: 1

      Typically Microsoft, it needs a custom plugin ala ActiveX to make it work. Works only on Mac/Windows.

      --
      Custom electronics and digital signage for your business: www.evcircuits.com
    9. Re:Fix the linux client next by hobarrera · · Score: 1

      Works fine on Firefox on ArchLinux. No plugins installed, btw.

  2. Newsworthy? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    TLDR: translations has been released.

  3. This is good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Many people trying e.g. Chromebooks have complained the lack of Skype being the only reason they can't use them on a daily basis. It's amazing it took this long for MS to put out a truly cross-platform solution of Skype.

    1. Re:This is good by ruir · · Score: 1

      It is amazing what strong competition as google talk video can do.

    2. Re:This is good by txoof · · Score: 1

      It's amazing it took this long for MS to put out a truly cross-platform solution of Skype.

      Keep waiting. There's yet another needless and painful UI change. There's no dial pad so you can only call people who are in your contacts list. Living abroad from the US, 90% of my Skype use is to call landlines in North America to deal with banks, government agencies and the like.

      It seems like with every minor update MS somehow manages to obfuscate the UI and make simple tasks such dialing an actual number or removing or adding contacts difficult. Why do they need to keep making this useful application akin to gargling razors?

      --
      This one's tricky. You have to use imaginary numbers, like eleventeen... --Hobbes
    3. Re:This is good by txoof · · Score: 2

      I got in early on google talk from the USA and can dial for FREE any number in the US from my web browser. This beats Skype hands down. Not only has google offered this service for at least 3 years, but it's FREE. FREE. Skype is just painful and expensive.

      --
      This one's tricky. You have to use imaginary numbers, like eleventeen... --Hobbes
    4. Re:This is good by gl4ss · · Score: 1

      the browser extension works on chromeos?

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
    5. Re:This is good by Dr_Barnowl · · Score: 3, Informative

      Uh huh.

      "Audio and video calls are not supported on your OS"

      (Ubuntu Linux 14.04, Firefox, Chromium, AND Chrome)

      "Cross platform", my arse.

      The Windows version demands a 6MB MSI installer get run as well, so it's not entirely standard WebRTC either.

    6. Re:This is good by GNious · · Score: 2

      I've banned customers(!) from conference-calls on projects, due to them using Skype - my experience is that Skype is horrible.
      That said, audio-quality on Google Talk is not exactly impressive either...t

    7. Re:This is good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes, that's what it said in TFA.

    8. Re:This is good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You are doing it wrong. You most likely either changed your user agent or have something crucial blocked on your end at some level.

      Also, it's not standard WebRTC because it requires more than WebRTC can offer. For starters, WebRTC doesn't support presentation/screen sharing features.

    9. Re:This is good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's also a poopy microsoft product.

    10. Re:This is good by Zappy · · Score: 1

      Not specific to Ubuntu, doesn't work with Fedora 21 either. Tried both Chrome and Firefox

      "Audio and video calls are not supported on your OS".

      Desktop version does work, but not group video calls...

    11. Re:This is good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      truly cross-platform

      *grins*
      Ha.. haha. Hahahahahaha! HAhahahahaHAaaaaaaa!
      *nearly chokes*
      *coughs*
      *pants*

      You're funny.

    12. Re:This is good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You find the truth funny?

    13. Re:This is good by hackertourist · · Score: 1

      If it's Google, it ain't free. You pay for it with your privacy.

    14. Re:This is good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The installer is for a browser extension that is just a js accessible version of the Skype binary. It's not using webrtc yet... Not that they plan to, they're planning on an extension to it called ortc instead, which nothing but IE supports at the moment afaik

    15. Re:This is good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      https://meet.jit.si/ will make you a believer in cross platform zero-install WebRTC. Tested between Opera on Android and Chromium on desktop Linux and Chome on Windows, multiparty video conference calls work great.

      They are lightyears ahead of Skype's offering at this point, and full of LGPL goodness.

    16. Re:This is good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah right, still better than the company that hand over all your Skype transcript to totalitarian regime.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skype#Service_in_the_People.27s_Republic_of_China

    17. Re:This is good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Many people trying e.g. Chromebooks have complained the lack of Skype being the only reason they can't use them on a daily basis. It's amazing it took this long for MS to put out a truly cross-platform solution of Skype.

      Perhaps even more amazing is finding people who allegedly can't use a computer without Skype.

      Sounds like the demands of a 12-year old narcissist addicted to social media.

    18. Re: This is good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The answer to that is to run the android version in Chrome. I haven't tried that, and it is a beta thing , but I think one of the main reasons for android apps in Chrome is for things like Skype.

    19. Re:This is good by unixisc · · Score: 1

      I did a search for Google Talk Video from Google Play on both my Android phone & tablet. Came out blank.

    20. Re:This is good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If I drag the calculator window so it overlaps the IE window does that make it a web app? Nope.
      Putting your application in an ActiveX control inside IE != web app. Drawing your app inside the IE pane != web app.

      To be a web app it needs to use web APIs, which means it runs on most browsers and most devices.

    21. Re:This is good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You must not need customers very badly.

    22. Re:This is good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, if they couldn't fix font sizes illegible on large monitors in the contact list (and by large, I mean some laptops...) and if they couldn't make even a half-arsed attempt to support section 508 (accessibility) in a worthwhile way, I have no confidence of them fixing much else.

      They took a functional, underdeveloped app, bought it, pissed off the original devs, and now can't even make simple changes to the UI that improve the usability for normal humans.

      Talk about the touch of death. I used to pay them money on a monthly basis. No longer.

    23. Re:This is good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Tell me one feature that you consider crucial when you buy a computer. Now apply the same logic to this situation and you have your answer. In case you didn't know, a lot of people have to use Skype on a daily basis because their work requires it.

    24. Re:This is good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      >"Cross platform", my arse.

      Well with Microsoft, it's a cross more like H1N5

    25. Re:This is good by hobarrera · · Score: 1

      Quite right. But it's not like Skype doesn't snoop either.

  4. Skype worldwide by jan_jes · · Score: 1

    Microsoft announced use skype from web browser in beta mode on june 1st week itself. But they have updated that its available worldwide. Note: the official skype blog removed the previously announced page.

  5. use Wire and be done with it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Just use Wire.com and be done with it.

  6. why by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Ukrainian? Thought they have no interwebs yet because of fight with evil Putinobamas?

  7. Installs an extension... by bemymonkey · · Score: 2

    ... so WTF is the point? The whole reason I want a webapp is so I have to install *less* shit on my computers.

    1. Re:Installs an extension... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How do you do screen sharing with HTML and JavaScript? Yeah, thought so.

    2. Re:Installs an extension... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      ... so WTF is the point? The whole reason I want a webapp is so I have to install *less* shit on my computers.

      Because your browser's native WebRTC support doesn't include an NSA backdoor, and Skype's plug-in does.

    3. Re:Installs an extension... by bemymonkey · · Score: 3, Interesting

      If I want screen sharing I'll use fucking TeamViewer. Give me basic IM, voice and maybe video support without a plugin or GTFO.

    4. Re:Installs an extension... by lister+king+of+smeg · · Score: 1

      How do you do screen sharing with HTML and JavaScript? Yeah, thought so.

      I would suppose that one could build a api to do so on top of X11 or Wayland if you really wanted to but if you are going to do that why not use protcol built to do that

      --
      ---Saying gnome 3 is better than windows 8 not so much a compliment as it is damning with light praise.
    5. Re:Installs an extension... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Like this.

    6. Re:Installs an extension... by Dr_Barnowl · · Score: 2

      With a modern browser that supports it?

      Try Talky

    7. Re:Installs an extension... by Dr_Barnowl · · Score: 1

      And if you want to to work better : Kickstart it a bit

      https://www.kickstarter.com/pr...

    8. Re:Installs an extension... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Have you heard about wire.com? You chit-chat until your jaw hurts and you need to install 0 plugins and other shit from Microsoft.
      Personally I stopped using Skype right before Microsoft bought it. You know what changed in my life? NOTHING! :)

    9. Re:Installs an extension... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How do you do screen sharing with HTML and JavaScript? Yeah, thought so.

      Appear.in can!

    10. Re:Installs an extension... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How do you do screen sharing with HTML and JavaScript? Yeah, thought so.

      Appear.in can!

      I like Appear.in, but it installs a Chrome Extension to do screen sharing.

    11. Re:Installs an extension... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      try https://meet.jit.si/

      I think it meets all your criteria.

    12. Re:Installs an extension... by bemymonkey · · Score: 1

      I do want to be able to talk to my parents and other people who use Skype ;)

    13. Re:Installs an extension... by sbrown7792 · · Score: 1

      Install jitsi on a webserver you run, and just give them the URL. It's completely web based, no need for standalone programs or accounts.

    14. Re:Installs an extension... by bemymonkey · · Score: 1

      While this does sound interesting (thank you for the tip, by the way - I may use this for other purposes), I'm not looking to move out of the Skype ecosystem because so many people I communicate with are already in it.

      I just want to get rid of the Skype desktop application because it *sucks*. A webapp would be a welcome change.

    15. Re:Installs an extension... by Dr_Barnowl · · Score: 1

      Talky seems to screen share in Firefox without an extension, but in Chromium it wants to install one.

      It seems to have varied levels of support right now.

    16. Re: Installs an extension... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It is MS owned and controlled ecosystem. Like Facebook is owned and controlled by one company. We are talking about monopolies. There can not be competition because, as you said, all are in one system.

    17. Re:Installs an extension... by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 1

      I'm not looking to move out of the Skype ecosystem ...

      I just want to get rid of the Skype desktop application because it *sucks*.

      Just on the economics of it, the first line there is why the second line exists. #incentives

      --
      My God, it's Full of Source!
      OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
    18. Re:Installs an extension... by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      As a matter of personal interest, why all the interest in TeamViewer over the past few years compared to products like VNC? What's the benefit?

  8. Skype the Web product? by nickweller · · Score: 1

    Do you mean it's an OS agnostic browser extension. Does Skype still route all your calls through the Utah Data Repository. Is all my activity stored on the mothership?

    1. Re:Skype the Web product? by Lennie · · Score: 2

      If I understand correctly:
      - "In the future Skype for Web will utilize WebRTC so that you don’t need to install any plugins to get it working — meaning you only need to allow the site permission to use your webcam and microphone and you’re good to go, but for now a plugin is required to make calls."
      - what we do know about Skype:
      any calls you make with Skype go through servers, it's not a peer2peer solution anymore:
      http://arstechnica.com/busines...
      My guess is one of the positive reasons is: they want to analyze the audio to increase their understanding of language and translation.

      WebRTC protocols supports end-to-end peer 2 peer encryption, but it doesn't mean an application has to use it.

      --
      New things are always on the horizon
    2. Re:Skype the Web product? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes it will and they have a nice back door too, designed for NSA and other voyeuristic scum bags out there.

  9. WebRTC by Bathroom+Humor · · Score: 1

    I'm pretty sure both Firefox and Chrom* support WebRTC in some way. I used it just recently without much issue in Firefox, the other person was using Windows and I was on Ubuntu and there wasn't an issue.
    It seems like Skype is becoming more deprecated when it comes to casual video chatting. I wonder if these alternatives will catch on, and allow me to not keep Skype installed. I can always hope.

    1. Re:WebRTC by sexconker · · Score: 1

      I'm pretty sure both Firefox and Chrom* support WebRTC in some way.

      Nah, Lucina has it, not Chrom.

    2. Re:WebRTC by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Here's a WebRTC support matrix by the people building Talky. Chrome is listed has having pretty good support for WebRTC.

    3. Re:WebRTC by Bathroom+Humor · · Score: 1

      He was making a chuckle joke.
      When you Google the names Lucina and Chrom, you, too, may find yourself with a chuckle.

      But this does make my question more urgent, since apparently the Skype plugin isn't totally cross platform as of now, on top of using non-standard web technology... It would if both Mozilla and Google worked together to make video chatting seamless on the web without extra plugins or add-ons.

  10. Profile picture by mpol · · Score: 3, Informative

    Can you even change your profile picture in this one?
    Sometimes the easiest things are the hardest.
    Afaik you still can do that only in Skype for Windows. Not on Android, not on the website, not anywhere else.

    --

    Well, don't worry about that. We can get you back before you leave. (Dr. Who)
    1. Re:Profile picture by amalcolm · · Score: 1

      Android: touch your profile picture on the main screen. tough your profile picture. You can now change it ....

      --
      Time for bed, said Zebedee - boing
    2. Re:Profile picture by mpol · · Score: 1

      Nope, not here. Using Android 4.2 with current Skype.
      I don't have a Microsoft account, only a Skyp account. Maybe MS expects everybody just to get an MS account.

      --

      Well, don't worry about that. We can get you back before you leave. (Dr. Who)
  11. Got to try it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    http://:

  12. Hurm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Does it work on *BSD, ARM SoCs, or even my MIPS machines? No? What's the point of it then? x86 Linux, Windows, OSX, and Major Cellphone OS's already have binaries...

    I thought the purpose of a "webapp" was to make it platform/architecture agnostic.

    Stupid Microsoft screwing it up again.

  13. Fix the Windows 10 client first by unixisc · · Score: 1

    Skype is absolutely unusable on my Winbook - right now running the Windows 10 Preview Edition. It crashes every time I even start the damn thing. So fix that first, and then do web, cloud, Linux, Android, iOS, OS-X or whatever.

  14. Alternatives for Skype in Linux by DrYak · · Score: 1

    For quite some time, Eionrob has written a Skype plugin for purple (thus works in pidgin, adium, etc.)

    Currently 2 versions available:

    One requires the skype client running and uses the official Skype API to use it.
    It still requires Skype, but at least it's being now routed to a half-decent client.
    Voice calls work by opening a window from the original skype client.

    The other version uses "Skype for Web".
    It works thus 100% natively on any installation, without needing the original client.
    Voice calls currently not implemented (because actually voice calls in "Skype for Web" aren't done with official web technologies, but using a proprietary binary plugin. But microsoft has mentioned considering upgrading that to WebRTC and such standards at some point of time in the future, so there's still hope)

    Not perfect yet, buton the right track.

    --
    "Sufficiently advanced satire is indistinguishable from reality." - [Tips: 1DrYakQDKCQ6y52z6QbnkxHXAocMZJE61o ]
  15. nope by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If they don't make it work with Bluetooth headset, don't care.

  16. cmon it's 2015... by mythix · · Score: 1

    people are still using skype? really?