Skype introduced a new Facebook app this morning, and before you get your hopes up, it’s not some amazing new way to Skype from the browser plug-in free, or kick off multi-person video chat sessions right from the News Feed. Nope. The app is this goofy, ridiculous creation called “Skype Humoticons” which lets you use your webcam to post pictures of you mimicking Skype emoticons to Facebook. Uh-huh.
Ugh, it’s like they taught the marketing department how to code over there. The app loads up in a big Flash interface over on Facebook, requires that you connect to Facebook via Skype using your desktop software, and then lets you pick either a photo or video to create your “Humoticon.” If you use an existing photo of yourself for you Humoticon, the app basically draws a big, blue circle around your face and then lets you post that photo to your Facebook wall. Why? I have no idea.
Obviously, to actually do anything interesting with the app, you’ll need to use your webcam to make a more animated version. Skype suggests that you snap up to five pictures to make the animated version…because a short video clip would be too hard? Not as funny? Again, no clue.
In addition to posting the “Humoticon” to your Facebook Wall, you can also download the photo or copy its URL to post in an instant messaging session. And there’s a gallery where you can see those Humoticons made by friends and others, matched up to the emoticon they were mimicking.
Yep, it’s kind of silly and stupid. Hey, that might just make it a great Facebook app after all!
Skype allows you to make calls to other Skype users for free, but calls aren’t the only thing you can do with Skype. Its extensive features included IM chat with contacts, group chats, video calling, conference calling, file transfers and money transfers via PayPal. Skype lets you import your Outlook contacts into your Skype contact list and once their imported you can easily organize them into handy groups. A nice feature for people who don’t want to miss calls...
Skype is a software application that allows users to make voice and video calls and chats over the Internet. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free, while calls to both traditional landline telephones and mobile phones can be made for a fee using a debit-based user account system. Skype was founded by Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis who were also the founders of the file sharing application Kazaa. Skype has also become popular for its additional...
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