Yes and no.  The UI on legacy Windows is horrible.  However, its codecs, customer base, and contractual agreements for landline access are valuable.  Skype allows Microsoft to be a VOIP competitor.

With a Skype Premium account you can call landline or mobile numbers anywhere in the world.  I believe when you setup a Skype premium account you can also establish a telephone number for your console, but I could be wrong.  Never have done it.

With Xbox LIVE Gold and Skype you can, as you comment on, have a video conference with up to 2 additional people (four total).  With Skype Premium you have the added benefit of being able to call someone and have a voice conversation with them via the Xbox One.

I think you're wrong. You can have a total of one conversation using videoconference with normal Skype. Premium Skype gives you unlimited videoconferences.

Having a console that does many things all in one is nice and a great idea especially when it work well. The problem I see (mostly because "fanboys" are more vocal about little things) is that some people think that every services they provide have to be free or really cheap because they already pay for Gold.

You actually have to pay for skype, you have to pay for fitness programs, you have to pay for netflix and so on and so on. I think people are surprised they still have to pay for those services now that they are on one machine...

And you are factually wrong.

When Skype Group Video Calling was first announced by Skype in May 2010, they also announced that when the feature would be released that it would be behind a paywall (part of a premium feature).  While the feature was in beta, it was free.

In January of 2011 Group Video Calling was released (out of beta) in Skype 5.1, it was available behind a paywall. 

Microsoft announced it was buying Skype in May of 2011.  It took control of the company in October 2011.  Nevertheless, Skype still operates as an independent division of Microsoft.

But nice Anti-Microsoft effort nevertheless.

I wan't being anit MS but thanks for trying. Anyway, at one point you could use if for free, and now it's behind a paywall. Beta or not, i'm right. 

You are correct in regards to Windows, Mac, or Linux.  However, Microsoft has already stated that with the Xbox One and a Gold subscription to Xbox LIVE you will be able to video call up to four people.  It's an added feature of Skype on the Xbox One.

So if you're Skyping to people with Xbox One consoles and Xbox LIVE Gold, you're all covered.  However, Windows/Mac/Linux users will be required to have a Premium account to group chat with you. 

You know damn well that wasn't at all what you meant, otherwise you would have chosen your words much more carefully then that.

"MS bought them, cut the feature, and stuck it behind a paywall." 

The implication of your statement is that Microsoft did this.  The fact is, Skype, prior to Microsoft purchasing had adding the feature behind a paywall from the moment they announced the feature in testing.  For four months, prior to the announcement of an agreement to purchase Skype, it was a feature of the Premium service.

Microsoft had nothing to do with the feature being behind a paywall and it was never a free feature.

You were factually wrong.

That was before MSN was announced to be shut down. Than M$ added that "feature" (added a paywall)