Get free Skype group calls on Windows, Surface tablets

Here's an added incentive for people to buy a Surface or a tablet running Microsoft's Windows operating system: you get to make Skype group video calls for free.

 

In a blog post, Microsoft said it noted a fourfold increase in group video calls since it made its group video calling experience free for "existing platforms."

 

"We’ve found that most group calls take place between three or four participants.  When building the group video calling experience for modern Windows, we optimized so that the three most talkative people – plus yourself – are visible at the same time," it said.

 

Although the feature will make only the three most talkative people visible, it will support a call with up to 10 people.

 

But a user can see someone who is not currently talking by double-tapping on them, "and their video will go full screen."

 

Users can also resize Skype so they can browse the Web, watch a video or check emails while the call is ongoing.

 

"This way you can multitask while chatting with your friends or family just like they are with you," it said.

 

The catch? The feature supports Windows 8.1, the latest version of the operating system.

 

A separate report on PC World noted Microsoft’s videoconferencing competitor, Google's Hangouts, "has always been free for group video chats for up to ten participants."

 

But it noted group video calls are not possible in Windows Phone. Instead, just group audio calls are supported, "probably due to limited screen space." — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News