New Skype Version Includes Facebook Integration

Skype and Facebook have integrated in order to make easier the calling and video chatting with friends from the social network. File photo

Skype has integrated with Facebook in order to make easier calling and video chatting with friends on the social network, BBC reports.

The new version for Windows, Skype 5.0, released Thursday, will allow people to call and text message Facebook friends on mobile phones or landlines, post status updates, comment and link directly from Skype.

Another new feature is the group video calling for up to 10 people, which is available as a free trial.

If your Facebook friend is also a Skype contact, then users can make Skype-to-Skype calls.

Skype has earlier stated that its "video calling accounted for approximately 40% of all Skype-to-Skype minutes in the first half of this year," International Business Times reported.

"We are working with companies such as Skype to make it easier to find your friends anytime you want to connect," said Ethan Beard, Director of Facebook's developer network, as cited by BBC.

Skype has around 560 million registered users and 8,1 million paying users. The company has stated that people spend an average of 520 million minutes every day talking to one another, using the service.

Facebook also has more than 500 million users. With the integration, the two companies will have around 1 billion users, though there will be some overlap.

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