Slack is certainly the darling of the group communication market right now, it even made our Top ten apps for productivity, but there’s one thing it’s missing: voice and video calling. Microsoft is aiming to patch that up with a new integration between Skype and the popular messaging service.
The imaginatively-named Skype integration for Slack creates a new command that lets people type “/skype” into a channel or private chat and have Microsoft’s conferencing service automatically generate a link that will launch a call for participants in the conversation. Everyone in the channel will get a notification letting them know that there’s a call going on.
Links generated with the integration can be launched with the Skype mobile and desktop apps, or opened on the desktop web with or without a Skype account. It’s currently available in beta for any team that has an open integration slot in their Slack instance.
To set up the integration, visit skype.com/slack and click the “Add to Slack” button. You’ll be asked to confirm the team you want to integrate with: Select “Authorize” if the correct team has been picked or “Change teams” to switch. Once you’ve set it up, anyone on the Slack team can type /skype in any channel to start a free group call from a computer. The Skype call will be set up in the background for you, and a join link will appear.
While the person starting the call needs to be on a computer, whoever will be joining (one or more people) can use Slack on the Web, Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS. They will receive a Slack notification that a Skype call has started and can join right away. Typing “/skype” into the chat again will set up a new call.
What’s interesting about this move is that Microsoft already has a workplace communication product designed to get teams working together called Skype for Business (previously known as Lync). But Slack is a rising star in the workplace collaboration market, so it makes sense for Microsoft to try and link its products to a market leader in order to maintain their relevance.
The launch comes during a big week for Skype overall. On Monday, Microsoft announced free video conferencing for users of all of its mobile apps, to go along with the same capability on desktop. On Wednesday, an update to Outlook allowed users to create video conference links inside calendar events with a tap, and this integration adds another way for people to easily summon Skype.
