The new Skype for Web update adds HD videos calls

Microsoft often champions that “Skype has always been about bringing people together,” so it’s always saddened me that the togetherness doesn’t extend to all of its apps. Skype for Web was supposed to fix this, bringing the same experience and feature set from the standalone app to your browser, making it platform-agnostic.

That promise seems still in the future, as today’s Skype for Web update does bring HD video for private and group calls, call recording, a notification panel that tracks @mentions or quotes and features like the ability to search for words within conversation threads. However, it’s limited in the number of browser/OS combinations it works on.

How to access HD video calls on the updated Skype for Web

You’ll need Windows 10 or MacOS 10.12 (or higher), with up-to-date versions of Microsoft’s Edge browser or Google Chrome to use the new features. Sorry, Safari/Firefox/Brave/Vivaldi/Opera users. Sorry, ChromeOS users. Sorry, Linux users. You’ll have to use the app.

And you’ll have to upgrade from Skype Classic to Skype 8 if you want to keep using the app, as Microsoft is forcing the upgrade. Windows 7 users might get a partly-functional version if they sign in to the web, but it won’t work at all for mobile users. Again, get the app. Which is annoying, as it runs all the time and won’t let you delete conversations from a decade ago, but still – it lets you message and call.

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When Skype for Web first arrived in 2015, both Chromebooks and Linux were supported so this change will likely anger some users. Microsoft says it welcomes feedback, so head on over to the Skype forums where you can sound off through the proper channels.

If you’re affected by the lack of browser or OS support, maybe you could switch to Google Duo, which does work on all browsers (and your Google Home). At least, it does if you’re in the U.S.

What do you think? Plan on using the new Skype for Web? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere. His hobbies include photography, animation, and hoarding Reddit gold.