Microsoft launched Skype for Outlook.com worldwide, a bold expansion and integration of the chat service into its email client to mount perhaps the first full-fledged challenge to email and chat monopoly of gmail and hangouts. Though the service arrived in specific parts of the world in August, Microsoft has only now adopted world-wide distribution. The feature allows you to connect with other Skype users directly from the Outlook.com inbox, and users can install a plugin that enables the Skype integration with Outlook’s account. The plugin now provides for almost universal browser and Mac support, as well as HD video calling so long as both users have HD compatible displays. As Skype continues to play a bigger role in Microsoft’s consumer-facing strategy, Microsoft is hoping to rope users – and thus eyeballs – into its modernized platforms. And with Skype on Microsoft’s side, it’s a very viable possibility.