14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has just announced that users can now start a conversation on Skype without even creating an account, so everyone can now enjoy the essential features of the VoIP platform right away.
To do this, users only have to point their browsers to Skype.com, where they can instantly start a new conversation. Once the conversation UI loads, Skype provides you with a link, which you have to send to your contacts to be able to chat.
This new system allows chats, voice and videos calls, screen sharing, and file sharing, and anyone can join a conversation, even guests like you who don’t have a Microsoft account.
Up to 300 people in a conversation
Using Skype as guest allows conversations involving up to 300 people when it comes to text chats and up to 25 people for video and voice calls. Conversations are saved for 24 hours and then they are automatically removed, Microsoft guarantees.
“The millions of people who visit Skype.com every month usually want to do one thing; they want to start a conversation with a friend, loved one or colleague as quickly as possible. But sometimes, technology can get in the way, particularly if you don’t have the time to sign up for an account to use it,” Microsoft explains.
While this feature certainly comes in handy, there’s no doubt that this feature arrives a little bit too late, especially because the majority of companies offering instant messaging apps are also implementing voice and video calls. WhatsApp, for instance, is now rolling out video calling support, and given its popularity across the world, it’s pretty clear that many people are going to use it.
At the same time, look at this Skype improvement in a different way: links to join a conversation need to be shared with contacts and if you’re not going for email, the only option is to send it via a messaging app. But what’s the point of sending a link to a conversation using a messaging app that already supports texts, voice, and video calls?