Skype Upgrade Offers Video Calling Feature

Skype is upgrading its popular Internet telephone service to add video calling and a toolbar for Microsoft Outlook to find and dial contacts with a click.

The long-promised 2.0 edition was launched today by Skype, which was acquired last month by EBay Inc. for $2.6 billion.

Although the Windows download is available to any user, the application is a Beta version, meaning the company is still tweaking the software. Skype did not provide a timetable for the final edition.

The video feature will not cost extra, so Skype’s computer-to-computer calls will remain free.