Now make Skype calls without app install; browser service enters public beta

Microsoft's voice and video calling app Skype is continuing to step into the browser space with a US and UK beta of Skype for Web via skype.com.Available as a smartphone app and desktop client, the roll-out envisions people using Skype for Web in order to respond to contacts via a bigger screen, or on an internet café computer that might not have the program installed.Contacts and conversations sync between the two, while Skype for Web combines the two categories in a single timeline view.Skype for Web also has pop-up notifications so can do something else while in conversation or waiting for one to start, but will need to be able to install a software plug-in for the website to work with Internet Explorer, Chrome, Safari or Firefox.Among other browsers, Google's Hangouts dropped its requirement for a separate Chrome plug-in last year, Mozilla Firefox partnered with Telefonica for 2014's Firefox Hello, Apple's Safari supports the facetime:// protocol, while Opera Software had teamed up with JAJAH way back in 2006 to offer web-based telephony direct from Opera Mobile and Opera Mini.Microsoft, developer of Internet Explorer, purchased Skype in May 2011.AFP