Microsoft's Skype on Friday announced that Skype for Web no longer requires plugins to work. The company is now rolling out Skype for Web to preview users, and hopes to complete the rollout to the general public by the end of this month.
Skype for Web without plugins is based on WebRTC standard, and initially this version will only work with Microsoft's Edge browser for Windows 10 via the ORTC media engine. In the future however, once Chrome (and its Chromium-based variants) and Firefox support the H.264 codec, Skype for Web will work on those browsers as well as without plugins.
The version of Skype for Web without plugins will be accessible via the dedicated site, Outlook.com, Office Online, and OneDrive.
For now, some features still require plugins to work. While Skype for Web now allows voice calling, video calling, and group versions of the two without plugins, features like screen sharing and calling landlines/ mobiles still require plugins to work.
Notably, it was only last month that Skype for Web gained calling functionality to landlines and mobiles. Alongside, the company introduced support for in-line YouTube video previews, and allowed users to add people to chats even if they do not have a Skype account.
The company on its blog notes that Skype for Web without plugins for one-to-one calls and group calling works to and from Microsoft Edge browsers. It also works with one-to-one calls from the Edge browser to Skype for Windows/ Mac usersGet your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.