Microsoft recently announced that Bots will soon be able to get involved with video conversations across a range of environments. Bot experts can make the most of the “BotBuilder- RealTimeMediaCalling” solution available for preview on GitHub, to introduce bots into their Skype conversations. There’s also an upcoming software development kit set to be released at a yet-undetermined date, according to a Skype spokesperson.
The platform is designed to offer real-time video and voice streaming of Skype calls that allow developers to build more immersive and personal experiences with brands and services, according to Skype. The new video bots will have countless options. Besides brand marketing, your video bots could be a virtual online secretary, or interview potential job candidates. Even AI solutions like mood-tracking could be used in a host of environments.
What Else is Changing With Skype?
Other updates to Skype that became available during the preview today, included an ability to embed human or bot-based web chat into a website. Doing this will allow organisations and merchants to handle a range of customer service tasks on Skype. This new update will put Skype in direct competition with other services for live chat, including LivePerson, Smooch, and even Facebook Messenger.
Interestingly, bots aren’t just evolving into the web, the web is evolving to facilitate bots. Skype add-ins are another preview beginning today – a dedicated tab in Skype that operates in a web-view, similarly to the chat extensions previously added to Facebook. All interested companies need to do to test the new add-ins, or download the Skype Preview, is download the app in the Android store.
An Evolving Future for Microsoft
A great deal has happened recently in the world of AI and chatbots for Microsoft. Alongside the latest changes to Skype, Microsoft Bot Framework solutions to publish bots were extended to Cortana, Skype for Business, and even search results from Bing.com. The new framework can now use an API for Microsoft Payments to manage transactions. The new Cortana Skills Kit is available through public preview, and more than 20 Cortana skills were also recently made available.
Earlier in the week, Harman Kardon Invoke, featuring Cortana and Skype, was announced with a launch window for the fall. Additional Cortana-based devices are also emerging from the sidelines in partnership with Intel and HP, according to Microsoft.
