Coronavirus has many people working and keeping in touch with friends and co-workers from home. Here are two popular video communication options for connecting.
While coronavirus restrictions are lifting in some areas, the pandemic is ongoing. Many people are still working from home, and only seeing friends, family and co-workers through video chat apps and services.
While there are many options to choose from, Skype and Zoom are two of the heavy hitters. Here’s how the two video chat and conferencing apps compare — especially in light of Zoom’s security and privacy issues.
Microsoft’s Skype is a telecommunications app that works for video chats, calls and instant messaging. The app is compatible with Android and iOS, Windows, iPadOS, web browser, Alexa and Xbox. Skype offers multiple subscription plans if you want to call someone’s cellphone or landline; otherwise, it’s free to use.
Video Communication, Skype can handle up to 50 people in a single video call, as well, which can come in handy for larger gatherings or business meetings (though Microsoft recommends using its Microsoft Teams video chat service for work purposes). The app allows for calls to be recorded in case someone misses a call. Captions and subtitles are also available for accessibility. Skype has file-sharing capabilities, caller ID, voicemail, a split view mode to keep conversations separate and screenshare on mobile.
After you create an account, you can start chatting. If you’re putting together a call, simply open your profile and click New Chat. Choose New Group Chat, New Chat or New Private Conversation. Whichever option you pick, you’ll need to type the group member’s name into the search to find them or add them. When you open a chat with another user, you can keep it in instant messenger form with the ability to share files and more, start a video call or create a group.
You can schedule calls in the app and be alerted through mobile or desktop by turning on the schedule call notifications.
Skype also recently added a feature called Meet Now that lets you create and share a meeting with a link, with no account required to use the service on the Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome browsers.
This news was originally published at cnet.com