Skype for Web now lets non-Skype users join conversations

Microsoft has today introduced a slew of new features to Skype for Web, including the ability to make calls from the web directly to mobile phones and landlines, and inviting users without a Skype account to join calls.

The feature is primarily being introduced to enable users to save money on calls, Skype says. Other features include notifications and watching YouTube videos within Skype for Web. Making calls on Skype for Web allows users to save on charges.

“Once you’ve signed in to Skype for Web, simply click on the call phones tab, select your destination, dial the number you’d like to call and then hit the call button,” Skype explained in a blog post.

Read more: Skype voice translator finally starts rolling-out to Windows users

The company has announced that from now on YouTube videos shared on Skype can be opened without opening an external link. According to Skype, the YouTube experience will not be affected, with users having access to all the usual features.

Adding people to a conversation, even when they are not on Skype, is also now possible. Users can send a URL to other people and clicking the link initiates the conversation. Skype explains that the additional users do not need to know if the user they’re sending an invite to has a Skype account.

Skype has also added a notification feature. The notifications, once enabled, are available as long as users are logged into their Skype for Web.