Changes to our mobile lineup
The last couple of weeks have been busy in the world of Skype on mobile. We’ve announced our partnership with Verizon in the US to deliver free Skype-to-Skype calls in the US and internationally to its 91 million subscribers – a significant step.
As part of our continual review of our mobile range, we’ve decided to make a few changes to our lineup. Skype Lite and Skype for Windows Phones are no longer available for download. This isn’t a decision we’ve taken lightly, but the reason is simple. Neither of these apps offered a great Skype experience.
Skype Lite only works in a small number of countries. Where it does work, making a call requires you to use up your allocation of minutes from your mobile network, making the Skype-to-Skype calls sort-of-free-per-minute rather than actually-free-per-minute. And with the latest version of the Windows Mobile OS, it’s been increasingly challenging for us to maintain an app which behaves as you’d expect on a wide range of handsets without working with a mobile operator partner.
And that’s why we’ve removed these apps from our site. However, if you already use one of these apps, you can carry on using it – we’re not disabling them. If that’s the case, we’re assuming that you’re aware of its limitations, so we don’t want to prevent you from carrying on. Additionally, where we can work with mobile operators to make these apps work well – which is what we’re doing with Verizon – we’ll do just that.
Finally, where we can make downloadable Skype apps truly great, we’ll shout from the rooftops. And if you haven’t already tried it yet, you should try Skype for Symbian. Alternatively, if your phone isn’t on our list of supported devices, you should grab a Skype To Go number to make great value calls to phones abroad.
I’am very disapointed to hear that skype are dropping windows phone users.
Don’t be surprised if windows phone users drop skype !
Guess what? … My Skype ID is … windowsmobile
I used to be prefer Skype over any other IM or VoIP service on all platforms.
Skype disappointed countless users and completely destroyed my previously great user experience.
I’m so sad about the ridiculous arguments.
I have a change to your mobile lineup… release a Skype update for iPhone that adds VOIP over 3G.
Still waiting…
Woow. This are really shocking news and its really sad to hear that. Will be there ever a free Blackberry client? Seems to be …
um yeah… this is horrific!! i cant believe it!! NO MORE WINMO!?! what is wrong with you people
and its not like you just never supported it, like loopt, but no, you had to go and make a nice version and then take it away?! im gonna share it via p2p networks! lol wow you guys are getting worse and worse
We live in the UK and the fact that skype using a local number to make the calls is actually great, because you therefore do not have to rely on the connection of your mobile network. Can’t we have an option that allows both type of connection?
Is there an official channel to report bugs ?
What I don’t understand however is if you have an android phone without verizon, will we get the skype application? Minus the calls over 3G I assume.
I have been scammed by Skype because after being notified I had a credit balance my password would not work repeatedly, and Skype kept sending bogus ways to correct it, which never worked. Now Skype claims they have taken my balance because I did not log in until today, which of course is due to them fouling up my password, and they would not make the correction. Skype should be honest for once. Their help line is non-existent.
I can’t talk over skype (on NTT-Docomo, Japan),
but I’m very happy even if I can use only text chats on my Windows Phone.
I hope WinMo version comes up again!
This is extemly annoying. I have been using skype on my HTC HD2 since i got it and the experience was good in any expected way. Thanks for screwing us
I try to understand it but the only thing comes to my mind is to hope all who was involved in this decision will die a painful death! I bought a windows mobile recently becouse it is the longest supported smartphone on the market. any of you want to buy my phone? Bastards!
This is absolutely ridiculous. It doesn’t matter if you can’t deliver everything. State that in the download. But still give the functionality you can. I use skype as one of many ways to communicate with my windows mobile phone. It works fine for my use (which is mostly chat).
Way to piss on your customers.
In my experience it isn’t true that Skype through Windows Mobile didn’t offer a good experience. I put it on my Dell PDA, running WM 6.1, and it works like a charm. I used it while overseas. I wonder what other feedback Skype was getting on it.
this seems really, well, strange.
it works but you stop even existing users who are aware of the limitations downloading it. I had to hard reset my phone this weekend and now can’t put it back on?
Is this really about the technology or more about leveraging deals with Verizon and other carriers?
Will you be recommending Fring or similar as an alternative?
For me without a mobile client (that doesn’t make me change phone and carrier) Skype becomes something I have no need of.
I had downloaded and installed Skype Lite on my T-Mobile G1. It worked great as an IM. However, after accidentally deleting it, I could not find it for a reinstall. Also, just purchased a Skype number for use on my Android G1, but there is no app for my phone. What’s up? Surely, Skype will not limit themselves to Verizon and the IPhone. Please get an android app released soon. If not, I will have to look elsewhere.
OK .. so let me get this right.. .. I’ve got Verizon wireless.. .. I’ve also got a Windows Mobile phone.. YET I won’t be able to take advantage of this new so-called Partnership??
Hi, I have been calling to Chile all weekend, due to the earthquake. It’s great to have skype to communicate, but it’s sad that they didn’t free the lines like many cell companies does. the wort for me, in my specific case, is that Skype are charging the time that I get the wait tone, even when I’m not able to establish the call. Given that I am trying to communicate with my parents, son, friends, etc is weird that now Skype decide to charge for this time, I don’t have option given my desperation, I call many times until I get an answer. I’m sad with this, after this urgency happens I don’t think that I will use Skype again, I don’t like a system that take advantage of me in this crucial matters.
@zondran if you already have the app, you can carry on using it as before
I am very disappointed by the decision to drop the winmo versio of skype.
I have it on an xperia x1 and has given me no problem whatsoever.
Does this mean that you are working on a more compelling version for this platform and will offer it again when ready or you won’t releasy any version more ever?
I think I know the answer, please surprise me saying that it is the latter.
I am very deceived with skype, didn’t expect that move, like at all.
Now that WiFi on a chip exists and ultra low power dispays, how about encouraging partners to create Skype WiFi watches & Skype WiFi video watches? Now THAT would be way cool!
It is totally nonsense. I did not see Skype made a survey about it like they made with desktop systems. They just make a deal with Verizon and they want more profit. Voip systems are really became a killer for regular Cell phones networks since with the improved technology and faster 3G and 4G networks. Basicly most of the people prefer to use Voip systems instead of using their minutes.
If you remember latest version for Google phones you can not make skype to skype calls from wireless or 3G. It dials a landline number first for your connection.
I think this beautiful era is gonna finish soon because of these greedy strategies. Since the internet data networks getting better and faster everyday there is no way for me to believe the sentence “Neither of these apps (Skype Lite) offered a great Skype experience” And I was using these applications since the begining.
As a last word I think what Skype did is totally shame and commercial. There is nothing about costumer satisfaction.
Why is this not released for the E75 which is otherwise a pretty good phone and same as E71 and E72 (which does support)?
This is stupid. The WinMo version worked fine and I could use it to call many people and the sound quality was quite decent. Again, Skype, this is stupid. There was no reason to remove the WinMo version. Yeah and I know that I can continue using the app already on my phone. But what if I get another phone? So now I have to ensure that I always have a backup of the .cab file.
Skype to drop application for iPhone as well. Don’t see Skype releasing a version to allow access using 3G over ATT either. VZW must have paid Skype a whole bunch of money to keep it out of our hands. Wish they would just come out and say they have not plans for iPhone either instead of insulting us and blaming it all on Apple.
LOL. Somehow I think I downloaded skype for windows mobile just after this announcement. It worked pretty well I thought on HTC Touch HD. Quite a surprise announcement considering the number of WinMo users. I’m sure there’s something more going on than meets the eye. It could be Skype upset with Microsoft, upcoming WinPhone 7, etc. WinMo may be losing market share but it’s foolish to think that Microsoft couldn’t crush Skype in the blink of an eye by various means. Now Microsoft has little reason not to do so. Hopefully this will get all sorted out by WinPhone 7 is released. In the mean time, this is quite disappointing.
@g.ratchford we’re absolutely committed to the iPhone platform, and to our 3G-enabled app. No question about that.
@Skype
I have 4 personal windows mobile based devices that I own directly. My mother has 2, my brother has 1, and i was able to modify my old motorola Razr V3C to use skype. Thats 8 phones my family has owned over the last 3 years and 7 were windows mobile based and each one had skype on it.
Windows 7 Mobile is coming out fall of 2010 and they are basing it on the standard Windows 7 platform which right now is proving how a solid operating system is suppose to work.
And it’s at this time that you decide to drop Skype for windows!! This has got to be the BIGGEST bone brain business maneuver since the Pontiac Aztec.
So the questions I have for you is this.
1) Did the president / CEO of skype decide to get an iphone and join the brainwashed millions of the rotten fruit cult or did Apple pay you a large sum to drop windows.
2) Do you not expect to have the people in the cell phone based community to take this as a challenge to disassemble your code and continue to update the program for future use?
Dropping this was a mistake.
You guys are idiots. OK, so WM phones are a small percentage (about 7%), but still, you’ve just alienated 7% of your customers. Probably more. In my small company, we use skype as our internal corporate communication platform, including skypeout, which is where you make money. Now we’ll go looking for an alternate platform, of which there are many.
Pea-brained ideas like this is probably why eBay lost so much money buying skype. An now you guys want to spin it off? OK, so most of the bankers use blackberry, but a lot use WM.
Good luck when you don’t support your customers.
Oh, BTW, there are plenty of places to get skype that you won’t offer anyway, just supporting how stupid your decision to not support your customer is.
Oh, one more thing…..I won’t spend another cent on skypeout credits as I might find, next thing, you don’t support some other OS.
I’m no expert but I think that Skype made a bad Marketing move:
The argument for discontinuing Skype mobile is LAME
I was a Verizon customer with a WM 6.1 phone and Skype worked like a charm. – and I’m sure that other WM users enjoyed Skype on their phones – why was there the need for this partnership with Verizon, I dont think Skype has anything to gain out of it.
Now I had to switch to a BB on a different carrier.
So … I’m waiting for Skype for BB version, hoping that I’ll be able to use it – I’m very curious to see how that’s gonna work.
Hopefully sanity will prevail. I am waiting for Skype BBB client & we don’t have Verizon here in South Africa so looks like Christmas 2010 will be spent on the landline wishing everybody without the
customary video.
Congratulations! I am really disapointed. Why not remove all windows version if they hate microsoft? Are you chicken McFly?
Realy, This is unbelivable!! I have a Verizon HTC WM phone, and I can not get Skype?? I even have Skype VM, Phone number, ETC…now please EXPLAIN TO ME HOW I AM TO USE SKYPE WHEN I AM TRAVILING!!! (and if you think I am going to upgrade my phone your crazy, that would ba a $500.00 upgrade!!) I hope there is somthing soon, or I am going to take myself and my client base, and move on. Please do something ASAP!!!!!
First the laggy SkypeIEPlugin, second Skype crahing in Mac OS X when mic is not enabled, then Skype for Windows 7 not minimizing properly and windowsframe buttons getting stuck, and now skipping Windows mobile release from support…
I guess the lack of quality is in Skype development team…
And terorically the Skype Mobile full version (non-Lite) would still working, it does not connect…
I buy my first mobile phone thinking to use skype on it. Skype was not good with Imate 9502 since I hear that the processor had something to do with the poor performance , lots of harsh scratching noises. I since then bought another phone that says it does skype mobile. I was keen to get skype mobile running to go overseas with.To my horror I find out that skype is made for just about everything now and windows mobiles are forgotten about. Come on skype if you hand out lollies you do it for everyone. If you were a child I would miss you out and tell you to go home and that I would make my own form of skype that would take too many talked about useless brain cells to make. Stop making bullshit stories about skype being made to work better for windoes mobile phones. Why have you taken so long to do this? Its just a matter of conversion isn’t it? or are you just thinking about what you have just lost. MEEEEEEE
This is really sad. Instead of making the app better you eliminate it. I use skype on my WM phone to call to south America and it works just fine. I recently upgraded my phone and now I can not have it any more. Just makes me feel like un installing it from my PC. I will use up my Skype credits and do just that.
munirbunir commented Friday, Mar 5
Why is this not released for the E75 which is otherwise a pretty good phone and same as E71 and E72 (which does support)?
Two months later, still no solution, nor an answer to this question. Why?
Mr. Parkes & company are lying through their teeth. Skype pulled the Windows Mobile version because their agreement with Verizon is for NO WIFI ACCESS (so you still have to use international roaming minutes), so they’ve shut down ALL communications via the old windows version of Skype while they’re kissing Verizon’s asses and writing a no-wifi version.
They’re just a bunch of whores like everyone else in this world.
Ike
As we say above, we pulled the Windows Mobile version because the experience wasn’t great. If you already have it installed, you can carry on using it as normal – there’s been no ‘shutdown’ as you claim.
> Peter Parkes
I see you think “The experience wasn’t great”, but it shouldn’t be followed by stopping serving WinMo version including old versions, I think.
You ripped away ALL accessibility, not only VoIP, to Skype from all WinMo users. Pulling WinMo version may be a good solution for a company, but there’s no good point for any user!
My honest disappointment, or anger, can let me distribute old WinMo Skype versions in public. — In reality I won’t
How pathetic, guys. You remove the program from your site because YOU think it’s not a good experience for ME, just like that? Hey, how about letting me decide whether it’s a good experience or a bad one? You don’t “discontinue” a product (like every normal vendor does time to time), you simply remove it at once like it never existed?!
You are acting with a huge disrespect to your customers. You’re lying and your pathetic explanation “experience wasn’t great” just proves you’re lying. Tired of Windows Mobile? Leave it as is, write a big red warning message “Unsupported, use on your own risk, beware of f%#kin not-great experience!” instead of total wiping it off. I have no idea what agreement caused you to wipe the winmobile version off and I don’t care anymore. Disrespect should be punished. I wish you to lose and will do my best (even if it’s just a few cents) to make you lose.
Maybe Skype has too many customers, and wants to loose some of them?
Can someone give me a straight and honest answer on why Skype, Lite or not, is not available for my G1… which is an Android phone?? Is it technical? Is it simply a sweetheart deal with Verizon to shut everyone else out? I’ve been searching for a straight answer, to no avail.
I wish Skype had a more competent and dedicated team. I foolishly assumed that Skype will have an app for the andriod market. It seemed natural and right for such a powerful operating system.
With such great influence, I think Skype could use a little more consideration and be responsible for creating a great app for other platforms (not just iphone).
Am incredibly disappointed. But what can I say. We are all at the mercy of giant corporations. If profits are what they’re after, there’s nothing we can do too. Just have to learn to live with it. Forgive my strong non-objectiveness. I’m just so frustrated.
Let me just add to the bunch of people complaining about the lack of an android app. Really, Skype, this is weak! I hope Verizon payed good money for the exclusivity, because you are losing a LOT of goodwill and users this way… I have been a faithful skype user for many years, but am now in the process of migrating to the next application, bringing my contact list with me.
Very disappointed, what is the point having Voice over IP if you are not supporting phones with internet! Instead of going forward, you are stopping innovation.
@zondran could you pls send me the installer ? I just bought a FANTASTIC HD2 and it’s so much better than a frakking iphongo, I also don’t get the HONESTY in screwing intelligent people but that’s the way the world goes.
Sounds like BS to me.
I’m disgusted, actually. I just spent some time downloading various skype clients, including Skype Lite but I’m going to delete them forever now and not bother. I’ll pay my telco for calls or buy a long-distance calling card, rather than give money to you guys.
Skype could be huge but it has obviously sold out, restricting itself to a money-grabbing attitude. If you make something universally available, you’re going to make more money than you do with pinning down and restricting the consumer.
No skype for Blackberry is a big mistake too. Forcing people to use iSkoot, for example just defeats the purpose of inexpensive voip calls.
To Skype: Stop chiselling and take us all into a new era.