Last year, Skype introduced five- and 10-way group video calling as part of a new beta version of its software. Now, Skype 5.0 has been released from beta, which means it's officially available for download as a fully supported product — complete with group video calling — the company announced last month.
Although it was free in Skype 5.0 Beta, group video calling is now offered as part of a "premium" package that also includes live customer support via chat. The package costs $5 for a day pass, or $9 for a monthly pass. Only one user on a conference call needs to be a premium package holder in order for the entire group to participate in a video chat.
"With group video calling, enterprises can easily set up real-time, face-to-face meetings and work in more collaborative and productive ways," reads a company statement, published in January. "Group video calling has brought together family, friends and work colleagues like never before, such as a Spanish family, who were reunited after six years apart; the Global Learning Exchange, who brought together classrooms from Singapore and Bakersfield, Calif.; and companies like ePromos, who can better collaborate with remote co-workers and suppliers."
Supporting groups of up to 10, Skype group video calling is available for both Mac and Windows users — the beta version was available only for Windows — and as part of both Skype and Skype Business Version. For more information, visit www.skype.com.