Skype is one of the most popular video-calling apps around the world. This Microsoft-owned service is rolling out a new feature that will allow users to add up to 50 participants in the group call. The feature was being tested last month. Microsoft has finally released the public version of the new Skype that introduces group calling. The earlier version of group calling in Skype supported only 25 participants.
Skype brings some UI changes in its popular instant messaging app service as well. Users will no longer receive a notification with ringtone when they receive a group call. By default, they will receive a single notification to join the on-going group call. Skype will let the caller to ring everyone in the group if there are less than 25 participants. If you think, some members in the group are likely to miss the notification, you can choose to ring the individual members. Users can customise this notification from settings.
Microsoft is trying to woo Apple users away from FaceTime. Apple supports up to 32 people on a group call with FaceTime. Group FaceTime has been a controversial topic for Apple in recent months. Ever since a teenager found a security bug in FaceTime, users are shifting to alternative services.
Facebook Messenger supports 50 people in a group but it limits the screen to only show the speaker. Skype shows bubbles across the top view of the screen and users can choose whose feed they want to view. Enterprise-grade calling solutions like Zoom support 100 and even 1,000 participants, depending on the user’s plan.
