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Microsoft Is Bringing Skype to Somewhere It’s Never Been Before

By
Jonathan Vanian
Jonathan Vanian
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By
Jonathan Vanian
Jonathan Vanian
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July 13, 2017, 4:56 PM ET
BMW Plans To Invest $900 Million At U.S. Plant For New X4 SUV
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) medallions sit in a pile at the BMW manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, U.S., on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW), the world's largest maker of luxury autos, will invest about $900 million in its South Carolina factory to expand capacity and prepare the facility to produce a new sport-utility vehicle. Photographer: Ariana Lindquist/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesAriana Lindquist—Bloomberg via Getty Images

Drivers now have one more distraction while commuting to and from work.

Microsoft said Thursday that its Skype for Business online phone service would soon be available in BMW automobiles that are powered by the auto company’s iDrive system. The iDrive system is BMW’s computer system with a dashboard monitor that lets people control car features like mapping services and the radio.

Microsoft (MSFT) has been pushing its Skype for Business to corporate customers amid increasing competition from companies like Amazon (AMZN) and Google (GOOG). Amazon debuted its Chime video conferencing service in February while Google overhauled its Hangouts video and chatting service in May to specifically target business clients.

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As of now, both Amazon and Google’s voice services are unavailable for in-car automobile systems like BMW’s iDrive. But, that could change, especially in the case of Google, which has been focusing on its Android Auto software to power the car entertainment systems of auto companies, like Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Microsoft said that by adding Skype for Business to BMW computer systems, employees would be able to participate in Skype business meetings while in their cars. Skype for Business handles both online calling and video conferencing.

The service will premiere in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, followed by other unspecified countries.

In February, Microsoft debuted an India-specific version of Skype to accommodate parts of the country where Internet connections are limited.

 

About the Author
By Jonathan Vanian
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Jonathan Vanian is a former Fortune reporter. He covered business technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data privacy, and other topics.

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