In Few days ago, Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg had launched a speculative frenzy on the Internet, after he claimed that Facebook was about to launch something awesome. Now it seems almost confirmed that the awesome new feature could be Skype video integration on Facebook. In other words, your Facebook page will have an in-browser video chat facility powered by Skype. The product is built on Skype and has a desktop component, according to sources.
Currently Facebook has around 750 million accounts. Skype has only 170 million users, and hence Skype has much to gain by way of any collaboration with Facebook. Most surveys point out to the fact that Facebook users want to have voice, as well as video chat facility. Hence Facebook to has a lot to gain from Skypes expertise in voice and video chat. This deal could be a proverbial case of win-win situation for both the corporates.
It was in year 2010 that Facebook and Skype had discussed a possible partnership, but an agreement could not be reached. The new Skype 5.0 version that was released in October 2010 offered the facility of voice calling between Facebook friends, but it did not include the video chatting feature. The system was purely one sided, as only Skype had added some Facebook features to its client.
Facebook was also in race to buy Skype along with Google and Microsoft. Ultimately the company went to Microsoft in lieu of an all cash $8.5 billion deal. Till date Skype is Microsofts largest acquisition. Even though Facebook seemingly lost the race, it must have been pleased that Microsoft, and not Google, bought the Skype. Facebook and Microsoft realise that they have to collaborate in order to effectively counter Google, and so they have a good partnership going in many different areas of business. In October 2007, Microsoft had invested $240 in Facebook.
According to sources, Mark Zuckerberg will announce the awesome new feature, of Skype based video chat on Facebook, at an event in Seattle on 6th July.
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