Soon you might be able to video conference with your Facebook friends. Facebook and Skype are rumored to have resumed talks about integrating video chatting technology on the social-networking site.
Citing "two people familiar with the discussions," Bloomberg is reporting that the two parties first talked about a potential partnership last year, but no deal was reached. When Skype 5 debuted in October, it did make voice calling between Facebook friends available, but did not include a video chatting feature.
Skype would not comment on the matter. Facebook said in a statement: "Last year we announced the integration of Facebook in Skype, so people can keep up to date with their Facebook friends through News Feed in Skype and even call and SMS their Facebook friends on any phone from Skype. With regards to any further integration, we don't comment on rumor and speculation and have nothing to announce at this time."
If video chatting was added to Facebook, it would allow it to compete with such services offered on Google Talk or Apple's FaceTime application. When Apple unveiled the iPad 2 on Wednesday, it also announced the expansion of FaceTime. Until now, video chatting through the app has only been available between two iPhone 4s. With the addition of dual-facing cameras, the iPad 2 will support i as well, but users must be connected to a Wi-Fi network.
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Earlier this year at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Skype announced that it has acquired mobile service provider Qik, a well as an improved video-chat feature that allows 10 people to videoconference together for just $8.99 a month.