Skype Facebook Calling on Mac And Windows

Skype announced today that it has launched Skype 5.4 Beta for Mac and Skype 5.7 Beta for Windows, which allow you to conduct Facebook-to-Facebook calls from within Skype.

“This new development in the Skype-Facebook partnership is the latest example of how Skype is removing communication barriers and making it easier to connect with friends, family and business colleagues,” says Skype’s Rick Osterloh.

I’d add that with the Mac release, it’s also an example of Microsoft sticking to its word of not hording Skype features for its own platform.

“Our approach to social is about personal connections with people,” says Osterloh. “We are on a mission to connect over one billion people and our continued partnership with Facebook brings us one step closer to this goal.”

To set up a Facebook-to-Facebook call with Skype, you’ll need to connect your Facebook account, select a Facebook friend and hit the video call button.

Other new features include:

- video rendering for a smoother experience on Mac

- group screen sharing for Windows (with a premium subscription)

You can download the latest version of Skype here.