PCW: So can I start using the new feature today?

Barnes: The video chat feature will roll out to all 750 million Facebook users in the next 7-10 days, reaching 10 percent of the user base by this Friday.

PCW: How does the install process work exactly?

Barnes: You go to and download a small add-on program. If you don't have the add-on installed yet and someone video calls you, a window pops up asking you if you want to install the add-on program. After you click yes, the call is automatically set up with your friend. [Note: If the service has not yet rolled out to you, and someone who has video chat installed calls you, you are then allowed to download the add-on and start using video chat, Facebook video chat lead engineer Phillip Su explains]. Facebook does this because it wants the service to work no matter who the user tries to call. Also, after someone gets a video call and then is allowed to download the add-on they're naturally going to want to keep using the service themselves, so it makes sense that they would be enable the service, Su says.

PCW: Why can't I do group video calls from the Facebook service?