Now Call Your Facebook Friends Using Skype

In an effort to further its partnership with Facebook, Skype has now enabled video calling to users of the social network through its client software. The VoIP provider has released updates to facilitate video calling between the two. Earlier this year, FB had introduced a free video calling feature using Skype technology as a desperate measure to counter theHangout feature offered by rival Google+.

Skype's Chief Technology Strategist, Jonathan Rosenberg said, "We've been on a mission to connect a billion users and with this, we take a big step closer to that". This new step will allow video calls between the 170 million Skype and 800 million FB users, which makes for a user base just shy of a billion. It must be noted that the update, which is Skype 5.7 Beta for Windows and Skype 5.4 Beta for Mac will allow Skype members to initiate FB-to-FB and Skype-to-FB calls within Skype IM.

To make use of this feature, users must connect their Skype account with their FB account so that the FB Friends list becomes available as contacts in the Skype IM client. Once this is done, it is as easy as selecting the FB contact and hitting the Call button. This new version of Skype also includes smoother video rendering for Mac users and group calling, also known as Group Screen Sharing. This premium subscription feature is currently available only for Mac users, but will soon extend to Windows as well.

Check out the below video to learn more about this new feature.