14 DAY TRIAL // One of the features that have been long rumored to be on its way to Windows Live was a web-based video chat service, and more proof that it could be released soon has emerged.
Yesterday, Microsoft started to offer a wide range of details on the upcoming SkyDrive features in Windows 8.
The company announced a Metro style SkyDrive application set to arrive in the platform along with the Consumer Preview, as well as deep integration across the Windows 8 OS.
One of the screenshots that was published to showcase some of the upcoming functionality also hinted at the said video chat capability.
The screenshot – it can be seen embedded to the left – shows a resource icon from Windows Live Wave 5, which is said to be used specifically for this yet unannounced web-based video chat service.
A recent article on LiveSide also mentions that this is the same video-call icon that was spotted several months ago, which clearly suggests that Microsoft might be really close to making an official announcement on the matter.
No details on what the service could be all about have emerged so far, and it remains to be seen whether the feature will be launched as an extension of Windows Live Messenger, bringing video call capabilities into the browser, or if it has anything to do with Skype.
Skype does offer video calling to social networking sites such as Facebook. It is available within Facebook Chat, which, in its turn, is enabled in Windows Live Messenger. Another unknown detail at the moment is whether the feature will be limited to Windows Live services and Hotmail.
Microsoft already promised Skype integration across a variety of products, and has been also working on enhancing its Windows Live offering, and it would certainly not come as a surprise if the two were brought together via the said video chat functionality, though we’ll take it with a grain of salt at the moment.