Last week, we had reported about Facebook's plan to launch "something awesome", but contrary to the rumors, it's neither Project
Spartan nor iPad App. Instead, the social networking site has unveiled a new video chatting service, in collaboration with Skype. The announcement was made via Facebook and Skype blogs and later was confirmed by Mark Zuckerberg through his Facebook Live channel.
Skype, which is now owned by Microsoft, will integrate its services with Facebook and has called it the "first big step on the web." The set up process is simple and you do not need to have Skype installed on your computer. Skype has tailor made its product to fit neatly with Facebook and has embedded it in the social networking site's UI. All you have to do is to login to your Facebook chat client and hit video conference option. You can also leave video messages for your absent friends.
Facebook must be feeling pressure from the upcoming Google service Google+, which is the search engine's latest foray into social engineering. The service is currently in the beta mode and is receiving rave reviews. So, expect Facebook to make some drastic changes in the near future for meeting the challenge. Facebook also introduced new interface for its chat client. Now, it highlights the friends whom you are more chummy with. It also offer group chat facility.
So go ahead and check out the service at www.facebook.com/videocalling.