Microsoft’s Skype has released a new online meetings tool specifically targeted at small businesses called Skype Meetings.
The free tool, which includes collaboration capabilities such as screen sharing and content displaying, touts the usual Skype real-time audio and HD video conferencing, packaged in an SME platform.
Meeting hosts can share a personalised URL that participants click to join the meeting, and during a meeting, users can share their screen or PowerPoint presentations. Participants are also able to use a laser pointer and whiteboard features to make the meeting more engaging.
Users can sign up for Skype Meetings using a US business email address, and set up meetings for up to 10 people for the first 60 days. Bizarrely, after this initial trial period, the meetings are limited to three participants.
So the platform essentially looks like a watered down Skype for Business, which allows for meetings between 250 participants.
Also simplified is the integration features with Office 365, with users only getting access to PowerPoint, unlike Skype for Business’s full Office 365 functionalities.
The tool looks like it’s going to serve as bait for small businesses to eventually sign up for the full-blown Skype for Business, or at least get more businesses onto the Skype platform.
Unfortunately, there is no word on when Skype Meetings will be available outside of the US. TechWeekEurope has contacted Skype for more information.
Microsoft acquired Skype for $8.5 billion (£6.5bn) in 2011 and has worked to integrate Voice over-IP (VoIP) and video communications features into a number of its products. Skype for Business was released in 2015, replacing Lync in an effort to unify Microsoft’s enterprise and consumer software communication portfolios.
Suspended prison sentence for Craig Wright for “flagrant breach” of court order, after his false…
Cash-strapped south American country agrees to sell or discontinue its national Bitcoin wallet after signing…
Google's change will allow advertisers to track customers' digital “fingerprints”, but UK data protection watchdog…
Welcome to Silicon In Focus Podcast: Tech in 2025! Join Steven Webb, UK Chief Technology…
European Commission publishes preliminary instructions to Apple on how to open up iOS to rivals,…
San Francisco jury finds Nima Momeni guilty of second-degree murder of Cash App founder Bob…