Developer Blog

Bringing Video to the Next Wave of Connected Devices

Late last year, the number of internet connected devices passed the 5 billion mark according to IMS research. It was around that time that the analyst firm predicted we'd connect 22 billion devices by 2020. So, what will be different about the next 17 billion devices? Video. When you talk about connecting devices to the internet, we want you to think about a lot more than that. Think about the possibilities to connect people - you and me - with devices as the conduit.

With that in mind, today we're thrilled to announce that SkypeKit - our collection of software and APIs that allow Internet-connected devices to offer Skype voice and video calls - is now open to the broader development community. With SkypeKit, we believe the possibilities for 'video anywhere' are truly endless and we know that for this next wave of connected devices, video will be a critical component. In fact, with the consumer electronics products developed through SkypeKit, talking to friends and colleagues around the world on a variety of consumer devices becomes as seamless as talking to them across a kitchen table or a conference room.

When we first announced SkypeKit beta in 2010, we set out to accelerate the use of Skype in the consumer electronics space across multiple platforms. Today with the opening up of SkypeKit, almost any developer will be able to leverage the power of voice and video by embedding Skype into new, engaging and innovative consumer electronics devices - if you can dream it, you can build it.

Through SkypeKit, we want to help you make products that stand out. We understand that Internet connectivity is no longer enough to differentiate your products and we believe that Internet + voice + video is emerging as the ultimate trifecta for cutting-edge devices. High quality video is also setting the stage for developers to foster a highly engaged user base around their products.

SkypeKit is supported by a broader program and a vibrant developer community called Skype Developer. Within that community, Skype provides extensive quick start guides, tutorials and an active support forum for our development partners.

Developers who use SkypeKit will also be officially "plugged into Skype," a descriptor assigned to approved products that can be used as a marketing and sales tool. Adding Skype to your device gives you access to Skype's global community of users.

For more information, go to: http://developer.skype.com or 'Like' us on Facebook.

Breaking down the barriers, one standard at a time

While video is clearly a pervasive form of communication - both in our personal and professional lives, there are still barriers to be addressed before it can become even more inclusive. Jonathan Rosenberg recently addressed some of the challenges to video communication in his blog series, "The Ten Deadly Sins of Mobile Video Calling."

At Skype we care about quality. Quality can be addressed in a number of ways, and we're tackling the improvement of quality across many fronts on a constant basis. Today we're pleased to announce that we're helping eliminate some of these challenges with the introduction of a new standard interface for communication to H.264 encoding cameras.

An open standard, Skype UVC 1.4 overcomes existing prohibitive proprietary standards and allows silicon vendors to implement video calling on a wide-range of consumer devices, regardless of which partner they choose to work with. Traditionally, encoding and decoding of video often happens on the CPU, but having this processing take place on the camera can improve quality dramatically. This new open solution will become the new de facto standard for video calling and will make it easier for partners to develop encoding cameras that deliver superior video communications through the elimination additional processing by the device running Skype.

We firmly believe that Skype UVC 1.4 is the ideal solution for consumer electronics manufacturers, silicon vendors and embedded video device ODMs as it will provide increased flexibility and freedom to develop cameras for a wider-range of consumer electronics devices as well as access to Skype's continually growing ecosystem of users.

It is available for download here for free today.

SkypeKit now available for Mac and Windows developers

A few weeks ago, we announced SkypeKit, a new software development kit that enables hardware and software makers to add Skype functionality to their devices and applications. At that time, we introduced a version of SkypeKit that was compatible with the Linux operating system, and we promised that Windows and Mac versions wouldn’t be far behind.

Today, Skype is taking the next step by announcing a new version of the SkypeKit Beta SDK that works on Windows (x86) and Mac OS X. Now multiple desktop applications can offer Skype conversations — including video, voice, and text — without the need for users to separately download Skype software.

The enthusiastic response from developers and device makers to SkypeKit has delighted me and my team. To date, we’ve received thousands of SkypeKit beta requests from forward-thinking manufacturers and software makers, and we hope they will build many new innovative devices and applications using SkypeKit.

To request access to SkypeKit beta releases, please visit Skype Developer, our new developer portal. Please note, however, that Skype is issuing only a limited number of invitations to the beta program.

You can now request an invitation to the SkypeKit Beta

Yesterday, we announced the SkypeKit Beta Program. If you’re a developer, you can now request an invitation to the program. We’re only accepting only a limited number of developers at this time, so please bear with us!

Introducing the SkypeKit Beta Program

For nearly seven years, Skype has revolutionized communications through software that offers not only free voice and video calling, but also low-cost calls to phone numbers anywhere in the world. Now, we are taking Skype into new directions by empowering consumer electronic and desktop software innovators to embed Skype into their products through the availability of our new software development kit (SDK) called SkypeKit.

We believe that every connected device can become a communications device, with the addition of SkypeKit. Likewise, desktop applications everywhere can now include Skype.

SkypeKit will initially be available as a beta on an invitation only basis. SkypeKit for consumer electronic device makers will be available tomorrow, June 23, based on the Linux OS. For desktop software developers, SkypeKit will be available for Windows and Mac in the next few weeks.

Update: SkypeKit is now available for Windows and Mac.

SkypeKit will not only include a robust set of APIs for a variety of popular Skype features, including voice and video calling and instant messaging, it will also deliver Skype’s signature super wideband audio, based on the SILK codec. In addition, developers who use SkypeKit will be able to describe them as plugged into Skype.

Providing these assets to a broad range of platforms, operating systems, and audio/video interfaces is not a trivial challenge, but we are excited about the opportunity ahead and look forward to the many new innovations that will extend the benefits of Skype. So hopefully, our announcement of SkypeKit will encourage you to imagine new possibilities and get coding!

If you are interested, please check out the Skype Developer site, and feel free to sign up for the SkypeKit Beta membership. Although please keep in mind, we will activate registrations on an invitation only basis during our beta period.

Questions and answers

Who is SkypeKit for?

For our initial beta release of SkypeKit, it is designed for consumer electronics device manufacturers and desktop software innovators.

Why aren’t web developers able to use SkypeKit now?

We don’t offer an SDK for web developers currently. Given our experience providing desktop software and working with device manufacturers, having an SDK for devices and desktop applications are a natural place for us to start extending Skype capabilities today.

Are you working on a web services version?

We know there is demand among web developers, but we have nothing to announce at this time.

Didn’t Skype have a set of public APIs before, and what’s the difference with SkypeKit?

The long-standing Skype Public API is a solution for accessories such as headsets and webcams that connect to Skype’s standard desktop clients. But for years, developers have been looking for a solution that works WITHOUT a Skype desktop application. Enter SkypeKit. Think of SkypeKit as a "headless" version of Skype – that is, a Skype client with no user interface that runs invisibly, not only on PCs, but also TVs, notebooks, and other connected devices. Developers communicate with SkypeKit through the SkypeKit API, surfacing Skype calls through their own applications.

With the advent of SkypeKit, is Skype no longer supporting its public API?

Skype will continue to support its public API, because there is an active ecosystem of hardware and software developers already using it.

How will Skype ensure that SkypeKit has significant uptake by developers and what improvements are you making to your developer program?

In talking to our developers, we heard loud and clear that they wanted clearer navigation, easier-to-understand documentation, and better support. We believe that our initial version of Skype Developer is a big first step in that direction. Content is segmented into clear areas (SkypeKit, Public API, SILK, etc.), and we’ve spent a lot of time refining the documentation. We’ve heard from SkypeKit beta program developers (who got an early look at Skype Developer) that they see a huge improvement, so we think we’re on the right track. It’s a first step, and we will continue to evolve it with the feedback of developers.

Is SkypeKit a new revenue stream for the company?

SkypeKit supports our existing revenue streams by expanding Skype software onto more devices and platforms. The fees we will charge to use SkypeKit are quite nominal and simply help us manage the program and have more quality control over the third-party products that will tap into our software tool kits.

What are the fees for using SkypeKit?

To get started, we will charge a nominal membership fee — less than $20 US — for access to the program and SkypeKit. Once a third-party product is ready for commercialization, there is an add-on fee for user experience and audio/video testing and certification, which we require to make sure products are ready and qualified for our plugged into Skype descriptor that is awarded to approved products.

What is plugged into Skype?

SkypeKit developers can employ the plugged into Skype descriptor for marketing purposes.

Is SkypeKit ‘open’? What will you restrict?

The topic of openness is often debated and its definition can mean different things to different people. For starters, we believe in an open Internet and open standards. We are adopting an open approach meaning we are releasing APIs and enabling others to use SkypeKit and apply it in new ways. But, SkypeKit won’t be opened up to every single use case that developers dream up. For example, our license terms prohibit using SkypeKit for gambling or adult-themed applications.

Will there be a new Skype app store?

The Skype Shop contains recommended Skype Certified™ accessories and devices that are designed to enhance our users’ calling and video experience. Skype Shop will also be the marketplace destination where plugged into Skype products and applications can be showcased and merchandised to Skype users.

How can I get started?

Starting June 23rd, developers can request an invitation to join the Beta Program.

New Skype Developer now live

Our developer website has a new look.  

Check it out at http://developer.skype.com

In making the switch, we've temporarily taken down a lot of the old Dev Zone content, but we'll be adding it back soon. In addition, we're moving our Jira bug-tracker to a new location, and we'll update you again here when it's ready.

Enjoy the visit

Developer Zone and Jira down for maintenance [FIXED]

Update: the developer website is now back up.

Developer Zone and Jira will be unavailable due to planned maintenance work from 12:00 GMT 3rd of June 2010. We expect it to be up and running again next week Friday 11th June.

We apology for the inconvenience.

During the downtime, if you would like to contact:

• the certification team at hardcertpartner@skype.net


• the SILK support team at silksupport@skype.net


• the Platform Business team at bizdev.api@skype.net


• the Technical support team click here