Skype And Facebook Team Up For Deeper Integration

Skype and Facebook. Facebook and Skype. They just go together, don't they? Like the cutest couple you ever did see, these two mega-corps are joining forces in order to bring deeper Facebook integration into Skype with version 5.5. It's a beta, currently out for Windows, allowing users to chat with Facebook friends directly from Skype, ‘Like’ and comment on Facebook statuses and more.

You can now instant message your Facebook friends directly from Skype, helping you stay connected with the people that matter the most to you. Simply use the new Facebook contacts tab within Skype to see when a Facebook friend you want to chat with is online and then start an IM conversation right from within. It's available to download right away, and as always, it's free to use. Who knows if the relationship changes once Skype becomes a part of Microsoft, but it looks as if we'll just have to sit tight, wait, and see (while chatting about it on Skype, of course).
 

The new Skype for Windows 5.5 Beta includes the following features:

    * Facebook Instant Messaging - chat with your Facebook friends directly from Skype.

    * Facebook Contacts Tab - a new tab within Skype dedicated to your Facebook contacts list.

    * 'Like' and even comment on a Facebook status - You can also use the Facebook News Feed within Skype to easily "like" a friend's status or comment on it without logging into Facebook.

    * New Call Control Toolbar - featuring redesigned graphic icons.

    * Improvements to the saving of a phone number in the "Call Phones" section.

    * Visual improvements to placing a call on hold.