 | |
Screenshot  Screenshot of Windows Live Call | |
| Developer(s) | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 2009 (Build 14.0.8064.0206)
/ February 12, 2009 |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
| Type | VoIP, Internet Phone service |
| Website | Archived official website at the Wayback Machine (archive index) |
Windows Live Call was part of Microsoft's Windows Live services. It integrated into Windows Live Messenger to allow users to make PC-to-PC and PC-to-Phone voice and video calls. Microsoft partnered with telecommunication companies around the world to allow users to use a PC equipped with a microphone and speakers and a high speed Internet connection to call almost any regular telephone anywhere in the world.
Windows Live Call offered three ways of calling:
- Computer Call - Free PC-to-PC voice calls to Windows Live Messenger contacts
- Video Call - Free PC-to-PC video calls to Windows Live Messenger contacts
- Phone Call - PC-to Phone voice calls to landline and wireless numbers anywhere in the world (charges applied)
The Phone Call service utilized Windows Live Messenger and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to provide users an inexpensive way to make domestic and international phone calls from a computer.[1]
Microsoft also released the Windows Live Messenger Phone, which acts as an extension to Windows Live Messenger to make calls to other PC users or acts just like a normal telephone.
Windows Live Call was discontinued on June 1, 2010[2] because Windows Live Messenger Wave 4 release no longer supports VoIP functionalities. However, the "Computer Call" and "Video Call" features are still supported, in the forms of audio and video conversations respectively.
- ^ https://webcalling.mci.com/common/FAQs.aspx [dead link]
- ^ "Two more Windows Live services to be discontinued in Wave 4: Call and Toolbar". LiveSide. March 28, 2010. Archived from the original on March 30, 2010.