Skype for Web gets phone calls, YouTube embeds, guest accounts, and notifications

Skype today updated Skype for Web with a slew of new features. The service now lets you call mobile phones and landlines, watch YouTube videos, add non-Skype users, and get notifications.

Launched in June 2015, Skype for Web is the browser version of Skype — just fire up web.skype.com and sign in. You’ll be able to access your Skype contacts and conversations without having to download and install the app. Skype for Web supports Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.

[aditude-amp id="flyingcarpet" targeting='{"env":"staging","page_type":"article","post_id":1895609,"post_type":"story","post_chan":"none","tags":null,"ai":false,"category":"none","all_categories":"bots,business,media,social,","session":"C"}']

First up, you can now call mobile phones and landlines directly from Skype for Web. As with any Skype app, you’ll need Skype credit or a subscription to make an international call. To use the feature, click on the call phones tab, select your destination, dial the number, and hit the call button.

When you pasted a URL in Skype for Web, the service now includes an image from the webpage. For YouTube, you can now watch the video directly in Skype for Web. You even get all the same volume and full-screen controls you have in YouTube.

Skype for the desktop supports shareable links that let anyone join the conversation. Skype for Web now does, as well, so you can create a chat with anyone by pressing +New and then “Share conversation.” You’ll get a unique conversation URL — anyone that clicks it can join your chat, even if they’re not currently a Skype contact or don’t even have Skype.

Last, but not least, Skype for Web now has notifications. You’ll get a ping for instant messages and calls, as long as you’re signed into Skype for Web, even if you’re in another browser tab or app.

It took the Microsoft-owned company way too long to bring Skype to the Web. It’s great to see Skype investing in the app with major feature additions.