Skype is set to launch free group video calls for various mobile platforms as part of the 10th anniversary celebration of its video calling feature.
On Tuesday, Skype announced group video calling for mobiles, which will take the service to a new level. The feature will be available to Skype users with iOS, Android and Windows 10 Mobile devices.
Skype has changed the way people connect with each other. The messaging service made another innovation six years back that allowed people to make one-to-one video calls via mobile phones. The video calling feature has helped people to connect with friends, family and colleagues elsewhere and changed the way they communicate with each other.
"Since the launch of Skype video, people across the globe have enjoyed nearly 2 trillion minutes of free video calls - from soldiers attending the birth of their child, to explorers connecting with students from the top of Everest," says Skype.
Skype also offers group video calling for desktops and it has been appreciated by many users. But with smartphone usage growing rapidly across the globe, many mobile users would appreciate using the feature as they communicate with friends and relatives while on the go.
An International Data Corporation report highlights that smartphone vendors shipped a total of 355.2 million smartphones across the world in Q3 2015, which was an increase of 6.8 percent compared to the same quarter in 2014. IDC also predicts that global smartphone shipments will reach up to 1.86 billion units by 2019.
As more and more people use smartphones, they are also expected to use Skype's services such as video calling on their handsets. With the launch of group video calling for mobile devices, Skype may grab a good chunk of the video calling space.
According to Skype, more than 250 million people already have the Skype app downloaded on their Android devices, Windows Phone and on iPads and iPhones. The app is also one of the most popular free apps on Google Play Store and iTunes.
"Say 'hello' to friends and family with an instant message, voice or video call on Skype for free. Join the millions of people using Skype today to stay in touch with the people who matter most. There's so much you can do, right from the palm of your hand," says the Skype app description on Google Play Store.
According to Google Play Store, the Skype app has been installed between 500 million to 1 billion times, which shows the popularity of the app.
Microsoft-owned Skype did not reveal the date when group video calling for mobile devices will start, but its blog post says that the feature will be rolled out in the "coming weeks."
Customers who are interested in using Skype's upcoming group video calling feature can pre-register their interest and Skype will send them an email when the service is about to be rolled out.
Skype has yet to confirm if the group video calling feature for mobile devices will be initially available in all regions, or if it will roll out in phases.
Check out a short video released by Skype celebrating its 10 years of free video calling.
