While Microsoft is pushing consumers to use Skype, it is pushing corporate users to use Lync. This means Lync users will have access to all of their Skype contacts. Last by not least, Microsoft has been vocal about integrating Lync with Skype. The web app includes the ability to have HD video conferences, VoIP, instant messanging and desktop sharing. Any modern browser will allow users to log into their Lync. Microsoft knows that not all users will have Lync installed on each computer so they've put in extra work to create a web app for Lync. There are plans for an Android and iOS version as well. There is even a Windows Phone 8 application that is excellent. It's all about the ecosystem these days and Microsoft is tackling that challenge with a complete ecosystem for Lync. This makes it easy to gaguge the reaction of the virtual crowd. Lync takes a page out of Google's book by giving a great screen sharing experience where each of the of the video chat is displayed above the shared presentation. Hovering over a contact will reveal all of the ways you can communicate with him or her. It doesn't take look to figure out how to do something, even if you've never used previous versions of Lync before. Lync is easy to use and all of its features are presented clearly. This makes for a somewhat monotonous look but you quickly addapt to it.

The interface has been completely redesigned to look more like Windows 8 's Modern UI applications. Microsoft has worked hard to overhaul the architecture of Lync to make as many features available as possible in the event of a network slow down or failure. Voice and video calls have been overhauled to be stable and usable, even under poor network conditions. Microsoft is using H.264 SVC to make sure that video is broadcasted clearly in 1080p. New for this version of Lync is HD video. You can share audio, video, screens, as well as white boards and polls. These statuses are integrated into Outlook as well so you know when someone is available to chat with.Ĭoferencing is one of the useful feathures of Lync. The current status of your contacts is displayed clearly next to their names. Instant messaging works just as you'd expect. Lync includes not only instant messaging but video conferencing and powerful collaboration tools. Microsoft has had years of experience creating a well-rounded chat client. Lync has more features than you can shake a stick at. In the latest version for 2013, Lync gets even better. Microsoft's Lync has become the standard for corporate web conferencing and chat.

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