Fring’s mis-use of Skype software was damaging to our brand and reputation
An hour or so ago, Fring reported on their blog that we had blocked their access to Skype. I want to make one thing absolutely clear: this is untrue.
Fring was using Skype software in a way it wasn’t designed to be used – and in a way which is in breach of Skype’s API Terms of Use and End User License Agreement. We’ve been talking with Fring for some time to try to resolve this amicably.
However, over time, Fring’s mis-use of our software was increasingly damaging our brand and reputation with our customers. On Friday, for example, Fring withdrew support for video calls over Skype on iOS 4 without warning, again damaging our brand and disappointing our customers, who have high expectations of the Skype experience.
We actively encourage developers to build products that work with Skype, acting, of course in accordance with our various API licences. At the same time, Skype will rigorously protect our brand and reputation, and those developers that do not comply with our terms will be subject to legal enforcement.
In this case, however, there is no truth to Fring’s claims that Skype has blocked it. Fring made the decision to remove Skype functionality on its own.
spartz commented Monday, Jul 12
Doesn't really excuse the fact that there's now no way to Skype using Android. 
charlesshane commented Monday, Jul 12
When is the official skype app going to support iOS4 features (video chat, Multitasking, and so on). An update would be nice.
carniphage commented Monday, Jul 12
Perhaps if Skype's own software offered call reception, push notification and background operation, customers might be happier.
Skype seems to be damaging its brand without any assistance from Fring.
C.
llsethj commented Monday, Jul 12
Hey Ross.
Why don't you just build video conferencing into Skype mobile? Why let those innovative little twerps at Fring have all the glory?
If the native Skype app for Android had video conferencing, why would people use Fring. Wait, where is the Skype app for Android anyway?
peterparkes commented Monday, Jul 12
@spartz if you’re on Verizon Wireless in the US, you can download our app designed specially for VZW. In other countries, you might like to take a look at Skype To Go numbers.
@charlesshane as soon as we’re ready to release one which lives up to our customers’ high expectations
steve.huether commented Monday, Jul 12
I understand what your saying, but here is the issue: People want to use Skype NOW!!!! Skype takes FOREVER to release updates for their iOS software!! You had a working demo of Skype on iOS 4.0 back when Apple first announced iOS 4.0 yet there STILL hasn't been a release months later. iOS 4.0 has been out almost a month now. Why such huge delays? People just want to use your products NOW!!! Some of us will even put up with a buggy experience to do so. Even once your update comes for iOS 4.0 I'd bet that it will not support video. That will take at least 6-10 months to implement in SkypeTimeline. Do you enjoy being a company that is slow to adopt new technology? Maybe you have gotten to big to be able to respond to the quickly changing world that we live in? In todays ever changing world we expect response times in hours/days not weeks/months. If you can't keep up, don't step up, you'll just die!
And the whole issue with charging for Skype Over 3G? I already pay you for a monthly subscription, now I will have to pay extra to use it on my iPhone over 3G? If its more the $0.25 / month on top of my subscription I will be canceling my account and taking my VOIP usage elsewhere.
Don't get me wrong, I love your products, it just that your support of the iOS devices has been terrible. Even if it will take you forever to add video support to Skype iPhone, at least release an update that takes advantage of iOS features NOW!!!
falveyg commented Monday, Jul 12
To be honest. They wouldn't be able to "damage" your brand if Skype would pull their finger out, stop doing shady deals with networks and release some mobile clients that have the functionality that people need and want. The US/AT&T market isn't the only one in the world guys.
the_don_reba commented Monday, Jul 12
Here is an idea: how about protecting your brand by making competitive client software?
bigmalletman commented Monday, Jul 12
Well... Skype folks have to understand that 3rd parties creating their own clients that use/interoperate with other networks is a practice that has been around much longer that SKype has existed. No matter how much you may quote your EULs, that is never going to change. That said, users who use such software and aren't happy with it should only change their perception of Skype is Skype is to blame. You can only do so much to protect your reputation.
If you're worried about your reputation, you'll have to do more to make it easier to create effective 3rd party access.
bigmalletman commented Monday, Jul 12
Thank my stars I have a phone (the Nokia N900) that doesn't charge me airtime for using Skype. It lets me make REAL Skype-to-Skype and Skype-to-Phone calls over Wifi and 3G. As it should be!
spartz commented Monday, Jul 12
Skype To Go is no option since my country's not supported. When does the deal with Verizon end and will you release an Android app for all Skype users?
I think Skype's finding itself on a slippery slope... because the trend is mobile and I don't think Skype is adjusting well :-\
jan_polet commented Monday, Jul 12
What's up with removing the Windows Mobile version?
Not being able to use Skype on the HTC HD2, one of the best WM devices ever, is damaging enough. It sucks big time.
Now this 'thing' with Fring, is making it even worse.
What were you all at Skype and Fring thinking?
I guess it's about money and not about the users.
#FAIL!!
wjimenez5271 commented Monday, Jul 12
I just posted this on Fring's blog in response to their announcement...I think this sums it up:
While I understand how this can be frustrating to the team at Fring, as their business model at the moment is heavily dependent on Skype’s infrastructure, I think a little bit of respect is due to the UK enterprise. As a start-up Fring needs to recognize their position as a 3rd party application and accept the risks that such accompanies such. I really think that Fring has a good product, don’t mis-understand, but their commitment to open mobile communications seems to be less of the issue, and the bigger issue seems to be the financial impact it has on the Tel Aviv startup. Open standards and communication are important and people want them, but no appreciates these causes being used as a mask for personal financial gain (and there is nothing wrong with financial gain, but just don’t pretend it is something else).
Fring’s investment and R&D were very limited in comparison (key word here, I am not diminishing their efforts) to the investment in technology and infrastructure that Skype has made and continues to make. Fring has been able to reap tremendous benefits from this, so there needs to be a little more humility and respect where it is due.
Another thing that should be taken into account is Skype’s Response:
http://blogs.skype.com/en/2010/07/fring.html
geemoneysmith commented Monday, Jul 12
One question for you Robert Miller & the Skype team, where is your Android app for people who are not in the USA and not on the Verizon network?..... Okay, there is none. So Fring takes up the task and fills the gap, then this happens? I'm not convinced.
Also, how does Fring disabling their Skype support a few days ago, damage your reputation?? Reading comprehension goes a long way. It clearly shows that, THE MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF SKYPE TRAFFIC ON FRING WAS BRINGING DOWN THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE. Guess what Skype, PEOPLE WANT TO SKYPE ON THEIR NON-Verizon HANDSETS!!!
WHO WOULD HAVE EVER THOUGHT OF THAT!?!? /sarcasm
Skype, you have been in the game for a long time now but yet you're always slow to market with your services. Who knows when we can expect video calls over iPhone, let alone an Android app? Fring, to me, seems like some recent upstart company yet with the resources they have, they can have a new device supported and/or new APIs implemented at the flip of a hat (maybe because they're actually committed). Yet a company like yourself, a bigger and long-established company, can't even get to the point to make an announcement about services/updates/etc until way after the fact.
You need to start listening to your customers. They want Skype for Android AND Blackberry, since 2 years ago!!! Instead of wasting time trying to "amicably" work things out with Fring, how about your release your apps to the rest of the world? I'm sure the majority of people use Fring for Skype so if you released your own app, there wouldn't be a problem... but the fact that you kill off the competition but yet offer nothing is even worse.
Sad day Skype, very sad day.
maddog2727 commented Monday, Jul 12
Ok...so someone asks if you are going to release an android app, and this is your reply: "as soon as we’re ready to release one which lives up to our customers’ high expectations"
Yes...you have one. Only on Verizon, which you referenced earlier in the comments. So apparently only the Verizon app - the one you gave them exclusive right to of course from some monetary compensation - is good enough for them but not the rest of the world?
Somehow, I'm not buying that line.
sbonev commented Monday, Jul 12
so, now as you have dropped the support for windows mobile devices how are we supposed to use your software on our phones??? probably we should switch to another im.
the truth is that fring at least was developing something useful and working, and you do nothing!
cswallow01 commented Monday, Jul 12
I again must concur with the above posts... I don't know what is taking so long to release the Android and iOS clients with multitasking??? Why is development working at a glacial pace for these apps? They should've already been released, Skype!!!!!!!
You all have very little excuse for the iOS platform not having an multitasking release by now!!!
So you all wanna screw other services with, advanced features you all refuse to provide???
If you all keep this crap up, the day Google relaunches Gizmo 5 is the day I drop-kick Skype without so much as a goodbye handshake!!!
costanzo98031 commented Monday, Jul 12
"Fring’s mis-use of our software was increasingly damaging our brand and reputation with our customers.".... Come on - Let's focus on delivering an updated product that supports iOS4 and not taking steps which will be seen as uncompetitive towards Fring by blocking access to Skype's APIs!
Personally, Skype should replace David Ponsford. He doesn't deliver on customer expectations and fails to communicate on the progress. This only leads to distrust within the Skype community and flares anger among your customers . If Skype is truly genuine about their reputation they should realize stating "coming soon" and delaying promised updates only causes a lot of negativity. FYI, it's not just this blog!
It's clear David is not on top of the mobile Skype project he leads. It's very disappointing to watch other leading and highly visible companies release updates to keep up with customer expectations.
In my opinion, the world needs companies like Fring... Though their software is not a perfect product; they are working hard to fill a gap left by Skype. Customers want cross platform support, they also want updated features to take full advantage of their new hardware. Skype should take note and start listening to their customer.
aeon1618 commented Monday, Jul 12
I really don't care what happened, all I know is that as of now there is no viable way to use Skype on my non-verizon Android devices. Yes, that is plural for work we use Skype all the time on our devices.
On one hand with the Gizmo5 thing thing looming, I can see why it may not be worth it, but on the other hand it's not here yet so why not get Android users hooked on Skype before the 100lb gorilla shows up?
joseph_engo commented Monday, Jul 12
The only thing damaging Skype's brand is the outrageously slow update speed of its own software. Well, that and calling out a 3rd party developer publicly like this. The number of features missing for the iPhone is staggering.
Come on, we *still* don't have push notifications for chat. Its been over a year since Apple added support for it. What about FaceTime ? Last I read you had no interest in supporting it. Where is the background support for iOS4 ?
lkamache commented Monday, Jul 12
All this would be solved if Skype had already released their version optimized for IOS 4 with support for backgrounding.
peter.a.daly commented Monday, Jul 12
Skype - Please read the messages here. YOU are damaging your own reputation. Skype for Android on Verizon is a joke....no wifi support!? Uses Verizon minutes!?
Skype on Android was the first thing I considered for calling home on a recent trip to Europe, until I read that all the functionality I needed would be non-functional over wi-fi only connectivity.
Yes Skype, you have a PR problem. Yes Skype, you have loyal users who are getting angry with you. No Skype, Fring is not the problem. You are the problem, and your users are screaming loud and clear what we value and what you need to do. Communications like this indicate you have no respect for the needs of your customers, and we (with good reason) are not happy with you.
mshres commented Monday, Jul 12
Robert and Peter,
As a paying Skype customer, I am very much disappointed with Skype. It took you months to come up with 3G calling. Fring beat you to fairly on video calling. I am pretty much sure that it will take months for you to come out with video calling. I have no doubts about it. If you are going to take months to release video calls, you should have at least refrained from showing with your buddy Mr. Jobs to whole world. If it was not ready and was not going to be ready for months, why in the world would you show it to the world?
Looking at your statement, you mentioned that they were violating user agreements. If that was the case, why in the world did you not block it on day one? You are liaing by saying that you are not blocking it. If you are not blocking it then why don't you say, they can go ahead and use it? I firmly believe you are the one who is blocking it.
I am disappointed with your lies time and again. 3G, Multitasking, Video and now this. You all are liars. Nothing more.
steeevieee commented Monday, Jul 12
I'm disappointed that someone from Skype hasn't been a little more responsive to these comments; looks like only the fifth comment is from a company man.
The users are obviously crying out for a Skype client for Android which is feature-rich and widely accessible. The client obviously exists but isn't widely accessible. Therefore, Skype has hoisted itself by it's own petard by what appears to be childish name-calling against Fring.
If they want to stop the damage to their reputation, they can either release the client we all want without restrictions, or some clean as to why they can't/won't. And they should do it quickly, before this PR mess turns into a disaster
rkrazdan commented Monday, Jul 12
Dear Skype,
Perhaps you have been persuaded by the service providers to "Fall in Line" because they want to make even more money. Perhaps you have disabled your video capability for that very same reason. I remember that Skype used to work just fine on windows mobile 6.0 on phones with dual camera capability, and then suddenly, their was pressure from service providers(Sprint, Verizon, ATT, TMobile, you pick) and you guys removed the video capabilities.
I see a repetitive pattern, you seem to want to do the right thing but you curb to capitalism which is starting to feel a lot like a dictatorship at the hands of these companies.
I think that Skype is trying to work out a plan that allows the service providers to charge their customers for the Skype VOIP or video capability and remove that free service from the customers. It's a shame that Skype may consider doing this, or allowing for their product to be licensed like that. I think this is why Skype has pulled the proverbial plug on that capability. Really Skype, I hope that's not the case. I hope that you are working to complete, build, or fix the Skype iOS, android, and windows mobile platform application so that customers can use your product for free like the millions of users that currently can on their desktops, which hasn't affected your servers.
Think well the decisions you make, and who you choose to share your bed with.
Respectfully,
RKRazdan
achimlenderink commented Monday, Jul 12
(not writing in my mother-tongue!)
Skype: This is ridiculous. I am using Skype (Android/Win-PC/Linux-PC) because there are 3rd-Party Programs able to use it (even in an awkward way). This Not-Cooperation with fring and the fact that you issue a working Android-app just for one network in one Country (or is it more?) makes clear: You have the possibility and you will not give it to everyone. On top of that is, as far as i know, you (your program) rely technically on hardware/software resources of your customers and users. And you make money out of it.
So then speak out loud that this is a money decision and don't blabber about API/EULA-issues. Thats hipocritical. That proves the point from above: Bad PR. Because it's obvious.
And the talking about releasing something, when it's good enough. Poor Verizon. When they read this they know now, that they use some inferior app, which isn't up to customers expectations and they surely paid their amount. Or you just simply lie to all these people reading commenting you blog (by the way: by how i understand it: All users of your product!!!)
My job would be in great danger if i would work and communicate like that.
Hope you arrange smth with fring or bring a decent Android-App at last. This is damaging your reputation not fring's. So as we say in Germany: You are shooting your own knee 
cop1mast3r commented Monday, Jul 12
That's still not an excuse for the fact that the Symbian client doesn't work on the I8910 while fring does. (Or should I say did?)
mrshelby commented Monday, Jul 12
So how much of this is related to your deal with Verizon? Skype has intentionally shunned many long term users such as myself in order to get a one time payday with a national carrier.
I use and Android phone on a network not labeled Verizon because their shady billing and horrible customer service has burned too many people I know yet in order to use Skype now I have to move to Verizon.
Skype will lose a customer from this deal before Verizon gains one.
sbbeebe commented Monday, Jul 12
Not much to add to the above comments, other than I hope someone at Skype is listening. Innovation in VOIP seems to be coming from anywhere and everywhere, except from Skype.
s.fox8 commented Monday, Jul 12
I find it extremely sad that Skype even DARES to try to ignore the outcry in these comments now that they see their "loyal customers" are no longer on their side. One reply that completely tries to circumvent its way around the question does not cut it. I'm literally appalled.
You know what's ruining your brand and reputation? YOURSELVES. Your support for iOS4 is a joke. Your support for Android is a joke. You don't even have an Android app out for the Android users who are not on Verizon (aka the REST of the Android-using world). You claim it's not up to standards? Well your Verizon exclusive app surely must be up to standards, unless you would like to admit that you're screwing them over as well.
Now you're trying to screw Fring over for providing customers with what they need WHEN they need it because you can't (for whatever reason) do it yourselves. You make a great product but you are shooting yourselves in the foot with your lackluster support and your shady backalley deals.
Well guess what Skype. You're offering one of two choices: Switch to Verizon for a below average mobile Skype experience, or stop paying for Skype. Guess which one costs me less money. Bingo.
grcarvalho commented Monday, Jul 12
Skype is starting to smell like ICQ... it was a marvelous piece of software on it's time, but now nobody want's it...
I was very happy when i was able to use skype on my iPhone first time, but even with updates the bugz are still there... simple things like be able to see the profile of another user never worked.
I think that Skype is not a company made of 5 guys working at someone`s garage, and also is not a company full of people taking care of the roof of theyr offices. So instead of explaining why the other 3rd party guys can do one thing or not, why don't you just take care of your image with your very own customers.
If they are running to other clients, this means that you guys are failing in keep yours running fast, full featured and using low resources.
fugugaipan commented Monday, Jul 12
As a subscriber and user of Skype's service, I would have to disagree with the statement that Fring was damaging Skype's image, it was actually improving it by actually supplying an updated client on multiple platforms, including Android. While there is an official Skype Android client it's only available to US customers on Verizon which leaves the rest of us without access to it natively.
While skype in numbers do exist the service is a regression of technology. It leaves you having to look up a contact, write down the number off you phone, to then call a different number and then manually use the number instead of just dialing direct, which of course is the real point of having a skype number in the first place.
If Skype had a product that filled the same niche as Fring in using the Skype service did then there would be at least a foundation for an argument on the point, but until then Skype is just cutting off direct service from customers.
fractalsphere commented Monday, Jul 12
Exactly what portion of Skypes Terms of Use and End User License Agreement is Fring violating? The way I see it, they're helping to spread your products name by providing a functionality you have not yet provided to your customer base.
I am on an Android phone (HTC Evo) and Sprint. If Skype had an android application, I would use it exclusively, but as it is, I don't want to move to Verizon to use Skype on my phone. Fring is building in functionality to many other services and clients, Skype was simply the stand-out of the group because it enabled the video-calling.
As a result of Fring doing this I was using Skype MORE than I had in the past. And I'm sure I wasn't the only one. I'm not sure how more users and more use of your service is in any way damaging to your name or product.
If Skype cannot or will not provide this functionality on its own, or in cooperation with another company, my video-calling business and usage will go elsewhere.
Skype - look at the trend, I think video-calling is finally in the mainstream - don't wreck your chances to get in on the ground floor of the new video-mobile market.
igzekyativ commented Monday, Jul 12
"... Fring reported on their blog that we had blocked their access to Skype. I want to make one thing absolutely clear: this is untrue."
then why can I not use Skype on Fring?!
F U Skype... completely dissappointed
amuskena commented Monday, Jul 12
Now I can't use fring on my Nokia E65 (where Fring worked perfectly), as it is not supported by Skype application, thank you very much...
aim-kai commented Monday, Jul 12
Let's face the facts. Skype used to be innovative... not any more.
Skype broke its promise to keep SKYPE-SKYPE talks gratis (vide: 3G).
Fring was developing at faster pace was more easy to use. It took ages to wait for conference calls altough others already offered that. SKYPE on android? No kidding.
Skype used to be fighter for better user experience - not any longer. I'm npt going to cry just switch to better programs. However in my view SKYPE has no right to fight for Network Neutrality as it is contrary to company's behaviour.
igzekyativ commented Monday, Jul 12
i have an evo 4g and now my phone has lost so much of its use for me.. i am so freakin angry.. does verizon even have a phone on the market that even has a front facing camera so that people can video chat?! get the skype app on more than just verizon's android phones please
s_vilaysack commented Monday, Jul 12
No how about the Skype team actually create an android app instead of blaming Fring. If you want the customer to fully experience skype then do it yourself and not from a 3rd Party.
martinokp commented Monday, Jul 12
What sort of marketing decision is it to have a crippled Skype App only on Verizon Wireless only? No front facing camera phones on the Verizon network. No ability for Skype to phone numbers for subscribers that have a monthly fee like me.
Skype is simply damaging its brand by itself.
Just so you know, Google is working on mobile video calling. Remember Gizmo? It will soon be released and Skype will be history when that happens.
evefavretto commented Monday, Jul 12
Skype can be used in Android and iOS devices via Nimbuzz. I don't know if Nimbuzz has videocalling, but voice and chat works.
felipe.alfaro commented Monday, Jul 12
Just release a fully-featured Android application and forget about Fring.
darkpeace0 commented Monday, Jul 12
What a bunch of crying babies. Wake up people, you live and breath in a free-marketing society where businesses make decisions on supply and demand and ultimately profitability. There are some exceptions, like google where they make "SOOO" much of their money on advertising they put out many "gratis" applications and services, however I guarantee that if they see a major drop in revenue / profits, some of those FREE services we all enjoy will become paid for.
I digress, point is.. Skype did not remove this, .. Skype's Quote : "Fring made the decision to remove Skype functionality on its own." translates to : "Oh S#!t, this video feature overloaded our network... let's blaim skype!!"
Skype, you're doing a great job, keep up the good work!
jespersp commented Monday, Jul 12
I guess it's time for fring to introduce support for video calling to gtalk. Problem solved - then we can avoid skype all together..
me3ngr commented Monday, Jul 12
I have really been disappointed with Skype's work on mobile devices starting with Windows Mobile and not ending with the Android but going to the iPhone. Maybe if you stayed competitive with the latest needs of the Mobile Industry applications like fring won't be ruining your image. And just for the record you are the one ruining your own image by forgetting the users want features, and you can't provide them... to make matters worst you block the work of people who DO provide them.
Take a page from your users book, and consider this comment and all of the comments above it.
Sincerely,
AG
rlescaille commented Monday, Jul 12
If anything, Fring HELPED your brand reputation because they helped you sustain market share as the industry standard video conferencing client. While you are penciling deals with big telcos and forgetting about your core customer, third parties are having to use your API to do what you should already have done. Sadly this is another nail in the coffin. I used to use Skype for a lot of business meetings but now we mostly use Google. Skype 4.0 is nothing but bloatware and I don't even sign in anymore because I'm sick of spammers sending me messages.
As soon as Google releases their version of GTalk video for Android, there won't be a reason for Skype to exist for many of us. Combine that with Google Voice and it's hard to justify bloatware versus an integrated Google solution.
Sorry guys, but as a brand marketer myself, it's quite obvious where the fault lies.
kurtdelanoy commented Monday, Jul 12
FU!! Now there is no skype for for my htc evo. I'm pissed at skype now so this is damaging your brand not Fring. I was a skype fan so I don't care if skype has an android app or if fring has it but now we have nothing, thanks a lot!
emil_c2ho5oh_n2o commented Monday, Jul 12
OMG is what I am going to say! Fring is actually helping you because you support like 10 phones and do nothing about it! Awesome phones like Samsung Omnia HD still doesn't support your s***y software and it's year old now... And not only this phone! Fring is actually helping you, using your services! This way you are only going to lose your users!
mauswaerter commented Monday, Jul 12
I JUST had my first mobile video conversations between Germany and Singapore with myself standing near the banks of the river Rhine while watching a befriended family - with their young son waving into the camera - enjoying the sunlight 10,000 km away. They live on the brink of a rainforst nature reserve. AND NOW? Black screen, lame excuses! THANK YOU, SKYPE! Where is YOUR video support for Symbian S60 v3 (via NOKIA N95 8GB)? "The non touchscreen version is not updated". *Great*. Are you a North Korean company or simply asleep? The North Korean variant is supported by the fact that you seem to harm others for harm's sake while having got stuck in inaptness and ineptness yourself. Sorry to say ...
emil_c2ho5oh_n2o commented Monday, Jul 12
I don't se ANY positiv respond?! I think skype owes appologies to their users and Fring!
seanelliottchapman commented Monday, Jul 12
@ rlescaille: rlescaille you are so correct. Skype has certainly lost the connection with their core customers. If it wasn't for Fring, I would have never used skype again.
Listen to this reality check for you Skype:
During the 12 hours or so that Fring had the Skype video chatting for the iphone, I had 7 new users create and download skype on their PC's. Think about how many other people did that awell. I had family members who had no interest in setting up accounts finally create one so I could talk to them on my iphone. And your claiming this hurt your reputation?
Take a look at the big picture, they did nothing but help you.
But as for now, I'm done with Skype
martijnpolman commented Monday, Jul 12
Skype is working towards a model where on top of your data plan they will charge you for video calling over 3G, Fring was offering this function for free and was in the way of that model. Now Skype has found a good excuse to block Fring and can continue to work towards that model.
leaverx commented Monday, Jul 12
This is disgusting.
Skype, which has had 2 years to develop a simple application for the world's largest growing mobile platform, has done what? Provided a non-wifi, minutes charging application for 10% of the world's Android population. Over all this time, we've gotten only a single update, that a skype app for Android was "coming soon".
I don't expect anything perfect, heck I was very impressed with the iPhone app, I just don't see why it's so hard to deliver. I got skype so I could make cheap calls from outside home with my cellphone. Now I can't even do that. I think Skype is the one damaging it's reputation and has been for a long time by not providing support for their own services. The Android options, Fring and Nimbuzz are buggy, non responsive, slow and often don't connect calls, but at least they make an effort and allow for Skype use sometimes, that's more than I can say for Skype itself.
mike.galicki commented Monday, Jul 12
My wife actually was excited about Fring using Skype video that she downloaded it for her 3GS and now its gone forever it seems with the only solution to dump skype and use facetime with an iphone 4 upgrade.
If you think this execution is bad, delayed, lacking.. You should see Skypes involvement with Skype on the TV. As you know in 2010 Skype got into Panasonic and Samsung TV's. Go over to the Skype on your TV blog and read how awesome it is.
Skype on TV only will only do video to Windows Machines running Skype 4.2. No Mac, No Linux. And if you want anything better than 640x480, you better have two 2010 model TV's with a Skype camera. (How many families and friends have both at both ends?) Getting answers or support from skype is basically shoved off to the TV manufactures themselves. PeterParks@skype tries what he can.. but its a slow faucet of information.
fastiepl commented Monday, Jul 12
Sorry but We will have to look for an alternative for skype now, I was payin for a mobile call etc to skype but not anymore cuz skype is acting stupid blocking fring to use its service,
leaverx commented Monday, Jul 12
Oh and btw Skype, how does "Fring... is in breach of Skype’s API Terms of Use and End User License Agreement" and "and those developers that do not comply with our terms will be subject to legal enforcement." Not sound like blocking to you.
Fring whilst they did originally withdraw their service themselves, now state that they cannot bring it back, even though they have the capacity as they are afraid of legal action from Skype. It does sound like there is some truth in their statement.
timj_moore commented Monday, Jul 12
about time people realised there are other voip options than skype anyway. Most modern Nokia smartphones have built into the OS support for any sip based voip service. This is industry standard and doesn't rely on 3rd party or proprietary software. Indsustry standard voip hardware is available too and no need for bloated p2p protocols, plus sip is recognised and prioritised by industry standard routers the world over. All skype ever has going for it is the brand. The implementation would be far better if it was open and standard.
lariothepsy commented Monday, Jul 12
Read the about 100+ comments here and 100 more in engadget. 95% of them say - "Fringe is good, Skype is sh**".
Skype says - we don't care.
I say- as soon as a proper voip competitor goes online, I am deleting this account and jumping ships. I really hope that Fringe will be part of that new service I am going to use.
Skype, you lost a few million customers in the long term, congratulations.
drtrmiller commented Monday, Jul 12
STFU Robert! Sure it's asinine that Fring didn't have the resources to properly execute what it tried doing, but what's even worse is that Skype doesn't provide its users the necessary tools (read: mobile apps) to get the job done in the first place! That's a pathetic reality you've created for yourselves, only to cry wolf when that 3rd party can't maintain the resources to offer what consumers want, and what you refuse to provide!
jschoeck commented Monday, Jul 12
I'm very unhappy that I can no longer use Skype properly by way of the Fring software - which is much better than Skype's iPhone app.
Please restore Fring's API access right away!
jedivulcan commented Monday, Jul 12
Eh... Skype is trying to control its service and by every desperate measure possible. They sell you a service but dicate the functionality of the service depending on the platform and frown upon users otherwise. Segmentation and discrimination rather than innovation. They're sort of the Adobe of VoIP.
The Windows client is by far the pathfinder as far as features go... everything else is just barebones.
Mac version is barren. Linux version's behind Mac or on par. The PSP version is no frills... the iPhone version is bare... no word on an iPad update to fix the UI since it's basically the iPhone version.
There's no technical reason why Skype couldn't enable video calls over WiFi and follow suit with Apple's current stance with FaceTime.
I have a feeling once Google makes Google Voice a true VoIP client rather than an intermediate service.. game over, Skype.
davidgbrookes commented Monday, Jul 12
Skype that is a funny statement you make.
Fring has not damaged your reputation you do that all by yourselves.
Fring showed the world you can run video on mobile phones. It showed that you can run Skype in the background and use iOS4.
All Skype does is send out spin and nothing of value to the CUSTOMERS. In 5 years time Skype will disappear as it doesn’t offer service to customers. Nor does it listen to customers.
STOP WRITING SPIN AND START WRITING APPS THAT WORK!
mcse4macs commented Monday, Jul 12
I can't believe Mr. Miller associated his name and photo with that post. The entire merketing model of Skype has been that "Skype-to-Skype calls are free". Now it's "Skype-to-Skype calls are free (except over 3G where we will charge you even though you already pay the actual company providing the 3G service, and even though it's none of our business where you get the bandwidth from)". Charging for the app to cover development could even make sense, but charging based on which method of bandwidth I choose to use is crazy. Fring side-stepped your 3G charge plan and suddenly have violated your terms. Hummmm.
robert.kennedy76 commented Monday, Jul 12
To all the people that ask where the skype is for non-verizon people I must remind you that skype mobile for Verizon is devoid of any functionality that would make it useful for the majority of users. You cannot make calls within the US via wifi and calls using 3g still use your verizon minutes. Thus, it is really only useful for skype to skype calls.
Anyway, I honestly feel duped by the fact that I recently purchased a year long skype subscription, and now I have no reason to use it at all. Fring was the absolute only reason I did business with Skype, and by Skype being disabled I now have 360 or so days remaining on a Skype subscription that is useless to me.
The only way that I see that you might imagine Fring to be damaging to your brand is that people might associate Skype with the ability to have the functionality on their phone that they want...that being the ability to make calls via wifi, and the ability to not use up their mobile minutes. Now, what is truly damaging to the Skype brand is the taking away of those features from users that depend on them.
daniel.cardozo commented Monday, Jul 12
Android is spreading like wild fire all over the world, but we the android users don't have a skype official client.
If skype continues not to release an official client, and to block third parties from doing it, it will be driven irrelevant by competition.
mattrog commented Monday, Jul 12
SO DISAPPOINTED THAT I CANT USE SKYPE ON MY HTC DROID INCREDIBLE IN WIFI MODE. I HAD A FIX VIA FRING, BUT THAT IS GONE NOW. CAN'T WE JUST ALL GET ALONG?
krantix commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Make a decent app and people will choose yours over the alternatives.
The skype iphone app is slow and provides little functionality.
paulohlp commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Look I really like skype services and I use fring a lot, so please reconsider. This way you keep this consumer happy.
a1astudio commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Skype doesn't want to release anything (info, apps etc) except their legal team to denounce fring. Customers are frustrated, dismayed and confused and they feel abandoned by a $2B company who is sitting on their hands except wanting to make sure that no one damages their "brand and reputation". That's what their working on...making sure that no one damages their brand and reputation...forget about informing customers as to what is going on...and forget about working on any apps...this is their first release since the 6/21 when they announced "ios4 update was coming soon". I'm surprised they are not running 50 million dollars in commercials to "protect their brand and reputation" like BP because their garbage is spewing out onto cyberspace.
wicker808 commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Since everyone else is complaining, I think I will complain too: while you guys are mulling over an Android app, how about updating your Linux client? It hasn't been upgraded in forever and could really use some love. I mean, you've already done the hard part (protocols, infrastructure), how hard can it possibly be to ship a decent program?
lukesleeman commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Ok, so you blocked Fring - their Andriod client was pretty poor and often crashed. Just one question - what am I supposed to use to access skype on Andriod now? Where is my offical "Skype experience" of which I have so many high expectations?
Better a buggy client than none at all. Thanks skype ...
rkent.uog commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Reviewing my account shows that I have given Skype over $500 of my money over the past couple years, but if they don't take consideration of their Android customers, and revisit their threat to charge people for calls over 3G 
I will soon be taking my business elsewhere.
* - How does 3G cost them any more money than any other data connection? I have paid for that data bandwidth on my own, and frankly they are breaking a written promise that skype-to-skype calls will always be free -
danielviverridae commented Tuesday, Jul 13
"Fring made the decision to remove Skype functionality on its own." is a bit hard to believe, as its unique Skype video calling support is… Was pretty much the backbone to Fring's success. Removing Skype support would make no sense at all, business wise.
And there are quite many consumers out there with lesser phones than the ones running iOS and Android, which all, as of this day, lack the video calling functionality with Skype. You've left your clients out in the cold.
kiptower1 commented Tuesday, Jul 13
so why dont skype tell us why it really happened I.E, in the UK
"THREE" have a big hand in SKYPE , but no one wants to say how much
the other UK networks block skype e.g, T-Mobile ( which orange have joined up with ) only allow call from an Android mobile to other Skye users , but skype users cannot call T-Mobile skype users , now wait a min , when you call another skype user from the handset it charges a local call. BUT only if you sign up for web and walk max , which T-Mobile will forget to tell you and its £19 a month extra plus the local call everytime you ring , I belive the same problem is with 02 and Vodaphone , so Fring went down and many started using Nimbuzz, but as from Monday ( yesterday ) Nimbuzz wont accept calls from other skype users to a handset on t-mobile using Skype with the Nimbuzz interface , but you can call from the handset but the calls keep dropping as soon as you connect
come on Skype time a few truths were told who is pulling who's strings and who is blocking what , the main networks hate what "THREE" were offering or is "THREE" pulling strings on the other networks
so disgusted I sent both my new HTC Desire's back to T-Mobile todaqy and cancelled the contracts by throwing the Sale Of Goods Act @ them "NOT FIT FOR THE PURPOSE" because part of the features will not work e.g, part of the internet , they claimed it would work with skype and the fact its WIFI will only work with older G series routers, oh and for those on TMobile in the UK
maybe TMOBILE would like to tell the truth about the Desire and its WIFI that does not work with N type routers , and the excuses from HTC it MAY work when anderoid 2.2 is released sometime MAYBE in the UK.
maybe its a sham to start charging for all calls
haruhb commented Tuesday, Jul 13
I've been a user and loyal customer of skype for over six years. Oh, how I've been patient- but Android support never surfaced, despite their promises. The only reason I've held on has been Fring's support, which has now- and I'd say it's likely we can all thank skype and their friends over at the telcos for this- evaporated. Poof! There goes my monetary support for you, skype. Not a yen more.
teckseen commented Tuesday, Jul 13
i'm a loyal paying customer until now. Will be looking for other options. Gizmo5 looks promising
lq101mickey commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Skype you need to get your act together this would be a good chance for you to take the lead in this field. Video calling on 3G plus to any desktop on the planet, thats true integration. But you seem so far behind with the mobile market. AT&T are trying to workout how to monetise facetime. Meanwhile fring is making your platform fly.
Like i said you've not got a good app in the mobile market hence fring. Fring have a linux client they just need to bring out the PC/OS X
May be you don't care about the video market since you have no revenue from it.
I know i don't use your service calling much cheaper and better call quality options.
I guess time will tell.
derekling commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Hello skype, since I have to log into my skype account to post this message, you know who I am, how long I have been using skype and exactly how much my company and I spend each month on skypein, skypeout, skype subscriptions etc. Just want to let you know that yeah, I am an Andriod user who has been logging in via Fring and yeah, I was counting on skype for communication on a business trip yesterday when the service was stop. And yeah, I am piss and will consider switching to another service. But then again, my company and I are small potatoes compared to your millions of users. I just want to let you know that at least one of your loyal customer is severely affected and is piss.
deathspal commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Do you hear that Skype it is your costumer base outraged that you wouldn't want them to have as many ways to access your service as posible... Oh and do you hear the rest ya open standards like SIP and FaceTime arguing how to carve you up... Better get smart or get ready to get out of the way. The Blood is in the water and mobile video conferencing is here and to the standard with the broadest platform support will go the spoils....
listening2urheart commented Tuesday, Jul 13
This is absolutely disgraceful, just because you are one of the best VOIP operator does not mean that you will start acting like a selfish cat. Get over it skype, first of all your Devs are so SLOW in updating apps for the mobile platform, particularly for an iPhone.
On 8th of April, during the Sneak-Peak of iOS your chief was cheering on that 'We have developed this app in just 5 days'. Bullshit... who cares, now its been 3 months since that preview, where the hell is your update? Come on guys, stop being so backward. Fring, despite of being a small company is so dedicated that they generally update their app within a few weeks to get it compatible with new OS.
Who cares of you are bringing Skype to bedrooms via TV...not a big deal, you will create an app and will forget to update that as well....
Today you are in Monopoly, so enjoy it.... I bet you, one company will come and will knock you off one day!!! MIND MY WORDS!!!
politicalslug commented Tuesday, Jul 13
What a load of crap. Skype is damaging Skype's reputation. Skype was offered the chance to demo their VOIP app for iOS4 almost four months ago and it's still not available in the AppStore. Even that lameduck version only supported Voice, which no promise whatsoever of videochatting. Companies like Fring make Skype into a usable experience. Someone should fire the moron executive that allowed this letter to be published, and their salary and bonuses should be reinvested in Skype coming out with an iOS app that supports both voice (like we saw four months ago) and video, and both over 3G. If Skype can't handle it, someone else should. Your service is a joke and your tactics are even worse. Good day!
yonubear commented Tuesday, Jul 13
how about a skpe app for windows mobile so that those of us can actually enjoy the full range of your service
odoketa commented Tuesday, Jul 13
I would agree with many of the posters here that none of us really care about Fring, but all of us want to know why there's no Skype app for our phones. Maybe if you were serving your customers we wouldn't be so up in arms about your little spat.
aldov33 commented Tuesday, Jul 13
i don't now what tell true, but one is sure skype must work with fring! Team of skype can't make on good software for mobile phones in this moment from fring. Skype for symbian is full tragedy.
eranm13 commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Regardless of how is right and who is wrong in this debate - one thing is obvious: having Fring without Skype will HURT BOTH COMPANIES. Personally, it was the main way I used Skype and it seems to me that I may very well be leaving Skype if the service will not return. Not to mention I will definitely not recommend any of my friends to use Skype now - as you are obviously not stable!
People want their instant messaging networks to be in one place! That includes Skype!
You should fix this issue as fast as you can!
wvcachi commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Want to leave Skype, but don't see any viable competitors? Here's what I'm doing:
- Google Voice account linked to Gizmo5 account (you can find someone's Gizmo5 to buy for cheap - it's worth it).
- Set up your Gizmo5 as SIP in fring
- For outgoing calls, put a shortcut to the Google Voice mobile site ('older version') on your homescreen for outgoing calls
- for incoming calls, fring will push all of them to you.
- You now have 100% free mobile VoIP. No Skype needed.
- Use fring for non-Skype video chat. Get friends on there too, and soon Skype will be an afterthought.
pslaplace commented Tuesday, Jul 13
So, now that Skype has been pulled from Fring, this basically leaves people with Android devices without any video call support. Yes, I am a Verizon subscriber and can download the Skype app, but it still does not support video calls. What's the point of downloading the Skype app if I can make free SIP calls using other apps, calls which don't necessitate the receiving party to download any apps? (unlike Skype)
nerdtalker commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Skype, this move of yours is retarded.
You keep saying that Fring violated terms of the API - could you please point out what parts of the API were violated? Thus far, the only reasons you've given were that Fring's implementation of video calling didn't "scale." I seem to recall Skype's own service failing hard at P2P scaling a while back, causing some massive internet meltdown. Perhaps you should be a bit more tolerant when people using the API discover massive attention for your services.
Moreover, where are the Skype applications that allow mobile video calling from iOS 4 to Android to WebOS to BlackBerry to Maemo/MeeGo? You guys are awfully effective at pulling the rug out from under people using APIs, but awful slow at implementing features on your own. The Skype application on iOS remains a buggy, somewhat glitchy experience. Where's that background-enabled, video call supporting software you guys have?
Oh wait.
Innovate fast, or become obsolete. I hope Fring comes up with something of its own, because even though you guys are dominating the VoIP market, video calling is here. Get it implemented before summer is out, or someone else will, and I'll certainly be first in line to wave goodbye.
Where's that conference call video chat feature you promised for the desktop months ago anyhow?
rentingba commented Tuesday, Jul 13
This is sad, but in the end its all about money. Skype sold out to verizon and will soon sell out to the other carriers. they want to charge per minute for using skype video, skype over 3g and skype over wifi. They arent telling you this but by not allowing you to do any of those things its pretty obvious.
fring was allowing people to go around skypes ban on these three functions. so skype banned them.
I have been currently looking at alternatives that have unlimited international calling and an Android APP. im happy to say ive found two options.
the first and probably the best ( it has always been better than skype just a little more expensive ) is Vonage, but it costs like $ 26 bucks a month but it includes 60 countries. Only hitch is you need to sign a one year contract, so not the best option, but for business users its great.
the second option is truphone, they have a pretty nice app and they give you about 10 minutes of free credit to check out the call quality. I tried making some calls and the quality was much better than skype on my wifi phone and skype on fring ( which is better than skype on my wifi phone ). It costs $ 17 bucks a month and includes 38 countries.
skype quality isnt as good as either of these two options, it costs $ 14 bucks a month and includes 40 countries. they were never the best but they had a loyal cult following among the young tech savvy crowd and that grew into a real international following, now it looks like the want to capitalize and sell us off piecemeal to the big carriers for profit
if skype doesnt make nice with fring or they dont come out with an app comparable to either truphone, fring or vonage with 3g wifi and video calling by the end of the month i am cancelling my subscription and signing up with truphone.
damn, three years and this is how im repaid.
Google, where are you when we need you ? I must be honest, i wasnt planning on dropping skype even if you came out with a real competitor, mostly out of loyalty. I like you and im a loyal chrome and android user but skype came first 
. But now is your chance, skype just squandered all the love i had for them. come out with a great app and a reasonable unlimited plan that allows for skype out video via wifi and 3g and my monthly plan is yours.
etsspets1983 commented Tuesday, Jul 13
You guys at Skype are beating the nails into your own coffin, you are losing the support of the community. Already people are looking for someone to back, and Fring is way better to back then you corporate backstabbers. Btw that wide smile avatar is not helping Robert.
techsoldaten commented Tuesday, Jul 13
The problem with all you people complaining about mobile phone support for Skype is that you bought iPhones in the first place. Don't complain about skype having to play in Apple's walled garden, that's where you chose to plant your seeds and it's not their fault if the sun don't shine in the spot you picked.
I run Meebo on my iPhone and it runs the Skype application for Linux natively. While it lacks the fruity navigation options of the iOS, it's worth it not having to put up with all of Apple's BS. I like the tiny screen much better than the craptastic innerfaces those people push on the world.
Fring sucks btw and is run by media whores with no respect for their user base. If it was me I would fire back by publicizing some of the vulnerabilities those bozos never seem to getting around to patching. Like, I am mad to be hearing they shut off access to Skype instead of fixing their client, and I wonder how people would feel about things if a couple 0-days suddenly started circulating and eating up all their social mediaz.
brinito commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Dear Skype service provider.... i'm a user of your serivice and I already have SkypeOut credit but now i can not use it in my mobile device, that is the main reason that i had for buying the skypeout credit and be able to use it on the way (from my mobile phone) when i travel outside my country.
Today i'm out of my country and your decition to disable the service for FRING is stopping me to use the credit i have payed for..... how can I get refounds for it?
bostjan.peterca commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Oh, you did not block the fring skype service, they have pulled it out temporarily for themselves for performance reasons. You have just used the opportunity and forbidden them to reconnect it back, when they have resolved the problem. Funny thing you don't mention that particular detail.
Blocking. They say potato, you say potato.
In the end you have effectively prevented fring from providing further integration with skype.
Nice spin, btw.
ricferrer commented Tuesday, Jul 13
they are only "damaging" your brand because they are trying harder to bring innovation and new features into a number of platforms than skype ever has. Stop being so lazy and release better apps and no other company would have the opportunity to "damage" your brand.
BTW you may have not directly blocked fring, but if you send them some bulldog lawyers with legal threats, you leave them no choice but to stop supporting the service, thus effectively blocking them from using it. Meaning, this blog post is a lame attempt to do some damage control. The sad thing is that skype still comes out looking pretty bad.
I stopped using the skype app a long time ago because it was buggy and lacked most features that had been on fring for a long-long time. How hard can it really be. I don't think that fring has more resources than skype, but they still manage to bring more and better features to a great number of platforms in a fraction of the time skype needs.
The only real innovation that skype has ever brought was the protocol, which BTW was developed pre-2003. Aside from that, we have only seen small steps forward (better quality, buggy screensharing), but nothing really mind blowing. Even the Mac OS X version is buggy for god's sake!!!!
Skype should really get their act together and stop bullying smaller companies just because they pose a threat. Start making better products, it looks better than trying to stop those who do. People use fring because of push notifications, video, and the fact that it keeps working when the phone goes to sleep, all very basic things that skype doesn't seem to figure out. It's time for me to look for another service; I don't want to support a company with such a lame corporate attitude that has been lagging behind in innovation for some years anyways. The only "lock-in" is that the userbase is huge, but it's nothing xmpp/jingle or even asterisk can't offer in the future.
ricferrer commented Tuesday, Jul 13
....and don't get me started with the shady deals with operators to charge over 3G!!
krampfbein commented Tuesday, Jul 13
could somebody in the US please sue Skype for their behavior and business practices? as a european customer i can't really do that but I increasingly feel INSULTED by their LACK OF APTITUDE and DISREGARD FOR CUSTOMERS!
why?
1) no iOS 4 support for weeks now
2) no Android app (hey, GUESS WHAT: we don't have verizon over here!!!!)
3) shady US deals with no regard to the rest of the world
4) stupidity (see the whole fring thing)
what has happened to this once great company??
listening2urheart commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Wow.... I have never seen the whole community backfiring on someone like this. Skype would definitely regret over this.... Good on you guys!!
stuart.hargreaves1 commented Tuesday, Jul 13
If you pulled your fingers out and actually got your own software working for your paying customers, this wouldn't be a problem.
Push notification, multitasking, video calling... if you can't get it working, we'll go elsewhere. There are plenty of options available.
florian.jug commented Tuesday, Jul 13
I once was a big Skype fan. Without Skype I would not have survived my distant relationship that turned to be a close one
Unfortunately it seems that someone at Skype is doing a bad job. I hate to say that, but you guys at Skype are killing your past success and I doubt that many people will use Skype some years from now.
I claim that the reason for most of us to use Fring is simply that the official tool sucks, and I guess that's your fault...
Shame on you Skype-team, shame on you...
florian.jug commented Tuesday, Jul 13
I once was a big Skype fan. Without Skype I would not have survived my distant relationship that turned to be a close one
Unfortunately it seems that someone at Skype is doing a bad job. I hate to say that, but you guys at Skype are killing your past success and I doubt that many people will use Skype some years from now.
I claim that the reason for most of us to use Fring is simply that the official tool sucks, and I guess that's your fault...
Shame on you Skype-team, shame on you...
ngskypecall commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Skype's official client app for Symbian came out in 2010. That's right: 2010. Version 1.0 was made available in Feb of 2010. No video calls. No conference call. No instant messaging during a call.
But, hey, I was happier. There were now two competitive alternatives: Skype's official client and Fring, with the later having video calls over Skype.
Now Skype pulled the plug on Fring. And why? Because they "mis-use of [Skype's] software". Pathetic.
I think this is the beginning of the end for Skype. It starts by an once innovating company being unable/unwilling to develop their technology (a laggard) and then alienating their user base (read: "customer base").
Great move, Skype. You've now given the chance -- and a mighty good chance at that -- to competitors. All they need to do is: develop for multi-platforms equally and stay clear of the idiocy of charging for 3G access.
gabrieldov commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Disapointing is that there's still no Skype for Android!!!
That's a HUUGGGEEE disapointment. And now I and many Android users are without any decent Skype solution to spend our bucks on VoIP.
Fring was the only decent solution and was making good name for Skype with Android users. You were analyzing the empty part of the glass - I'm looking into the full part of it. At least they considered us.
Looking forwards for a Skype add-on to Android presto!
ajitjaokar commented Tuesday, Jul 13
My comments as per my blog below:
In a nutshell, the discussion is not really about open or close IMHO but rather about video and QOS for video. See also Google's usage of flash vs HTML5 i.e. video needs to use special considerations esp on the network side. The worst thing we can do is - lose the customer user experience. As Fring found out - it will stress the network and degrade the customer experience. comments welcome kind rgds Ajit
Person to person video calling: Skype, Fring, Apple and YouTube ..
http://www.opengardensblog.futuretext.com/archives/2010/07/person-to-person-video-calling-skype-fring-apple-and-youtube.html
oleurud84 commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Genail, very good decision. And now as use Skype in Android?
I am very satisfied of that Skype exists, but as you are late so much time in extracting software, Fring is necessary!!
Anyhow, I don´t understand why there isn´t android application.
gazzaasewell commented Tuesday, Jul 13
I'm more of an IM man than VOIP and now have no way of using Skype IM on my HTC Desire. Another Android app "Nimbuzz" that works very similarly to fring is currently dead on the Skype front also. Am I correct in saying Nimbuzz "decided" to pull their Skype connectivity also, just like you say Fring did.
Bit of a coincidence isn't it?
gmhossain commented Tuesday, Jul 13
This is horrible!!! Skype, are you kidding? Are you protecting your brand or kicking out your own customers? I have been a paid customer of Skype for more than a year. In my Nexus One, Fring was the only way to make call using my SkypeOut account. Now, that option is gone, do you expect Android users like me to continue with Skype subscription?
renato_laporte commented Tuesday, Jul 13
And what about we android users? Or what about iPhone users who wants a better voip app with more functionalities and that really works?
jerryprague commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Fring finally gave you the perfect opportunity to do what you've no doubt wanted to do for a long time, and that is drop the one service that YOU should be delivering on your own, namely, the ability to do on the road what you can do from your home, which is simply to use your internet data plan to call people.
What difference should it make if one uses one's data plan which is already paid for at home or away from home? What should you care what device or where I make a call from, if I have already paid Skype for this with my monthly USA plan??? I could carry my laptop around with me-major pain-and make free calls from a wifi zone-but why should I not be allowed-on the same data plan with my carrier-to simply use my smartphone to do this???
In protest, I have cancelled my Skype paid account and will surely find some way to do this on my own.
Shame on you Skype, we look up to you, you should value your customers and reputation more!!!
felipe.alfaro.solana commented Tuesday, Jul 13
From: http://www.felipe-alfaro.org/blog/2010/07/13/skype-voip-and-proprietary-solutions/
This post is mostly a rant about Skype, the current state of VoIP solutions and proprietary solutions.
For quite a while I've owned an Android device. I don't like proprietary solutions that force the customer into another's hidden agenda. I don't like proprietary solutions that change licensing or pricing unidirectionally without consensus. And I don't like proprietary solutions that server a monitory instead of a majority. I use Skype because I make lot of calls to land lines in other countries. I haven't been able to find any other VoIP provider that is easy to use and supports multiple devices (the only one close to this is Google Voice, but Google Voice is not yet available outside the US). They have PC software and software for iPhone and iPad, with little or no restrictions. But I am still waiting on Skype to release a native Android application for it (besides the existing one that only works on a very limited set of devices in the Verizon US wireless network).
I tried to come up with a non-imaginative, reliable solution to this. I tried Fring, but Fring does not support Skype anymore. I also tried Nimbuzz but Skype support does not work at all on Android Froyo (2.2). So the next natural thing to try was SIPdroid and SIP for Skype. Unfortunately, and contributing to my overall disappointment, SIP for Skype does not support subscriptions and, additionally, you have to run a business. Using SIP for Skype requires buying a channel subscription to allow for outbound calls (you will need as many channel subscriptions as simultaneous outbound calls you want to support), but channels do not support subscriptions, like unlimited calls to landlines, and they have their own credit line. When a Skype user places a call over SIP, the credit is withdrawn directly from the channel, and not from the user's credit (the SIP credentials used are the channel's not the user's). Hence, even if the Skype user has a subscription plan, call to landlines will still have a variable cost.
Why does Skype limit support to Verizon US wireless network? Verizon Wireless states they have 70.8 million customers. The global wireless market, according to a research topped at 3.3 billion subscribers by the end of 2007. That means that Verizon was roughly 2.15% of the total mobile market at that time. Even if Android market share in the US is just a mere 9% according to Nielsen, it means there are lots of customers that are not on Verizon but using Android and still are incapable of using Skype.
So please, Skype, release Skype for Android now, with no artificial limitations based on some murky, strange and obscure requirements from the Telcos. And stop blaming other's like Fring. No one else but Skype is damaging the Skype brand for not supporting all platforms, unrestrictedly. Remember that Skype makes money because of its customers, and not anyone else. Serving your customers should be Skype's only mission.
misterfloris commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Idiot situation. Skype does NOT support all platforms and walks on the hand of inferior phone provider Jobs who doesn’t doe his job either. It is a lousy excuse considering that an iPhone 3G does not have a cam to support video calling and that NOBODY in the world actually has a working iPhone4. In addition to that Fring provides a skype solution on phones NOT supported by Skype. (Why is my cam on my Nokia E90 not supported by Skype???)
Hence the situation: Kiss and make up guys. Calling names is not helpful and does not support the interest of both your user groups!
Skype should not even consider to charge for 3G. A by-pass will come to that anyway and it is none of their business wether I am calling by 3G or on Wi-Fi. In a global moving world of communication I consider this to be stupid and does not lead to LONGTERM interest of neither your companies nor your users. I have no problem contributing by paying for using the app, when the fee is very moderate. I am already paying big bugs to the providers for my mobile internet charges (I don’t live in a country where you can buy of your internet for 10 bucks/month).
So both Skype and Fring, stop with emotional mud throwing, shit has hit your fan and you might become very impopular by your fans and in the end… they make your company run, not your quarrel
Keep it simple, kiss up in stead of f*cking eachother in a bad way. If I wanted to see that I’d rather look at porn!
saleh.26 commented Tuesday, Jul 13
God Skype's employees talk too much with no action. I'm really getting tired of them. Does anybody "work" in this company?
Here's a little advice for you Mr. Silverman, you really should change the company's name to Blogpe since all your 500 employees come everyday only to blog.
jhaygood86 commented Tuesday, Jul 13
The exclusive deal with VZW in the USA is a dealbreaker for me, since I don't have VZW, and can't afford VZW. I have T-Mobile USA with 3 phones, all smartphones with unlimited data, unlimited texting, and 750 minutes for $125.00 on T-Mobile USA. No way I can afford the equivalent on VZW. So I guess I'm not allowed to use Skype on my cellphone now?
aaron.roydhouse commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Fring damaging your brand?? What a disingenuous piece of press-release spin @robertmiller. @jerryprague said it best: "Shame on you Skype, we look up to you, you should value your customers and reputation more!!!"
Fring may be a tin-pot limpet on Skype's side, but they are trying to do what Skype refuses to do; provide services to customers.
I've used Skype for many years, use plenty of the paid services, and wish it only well. But the last couple of years everything from client development to customer service seems to have fallen off a cliff.
You play the walled-garden model, but your garden is neglected; Your Linux client is abandon-ware, The PC client gets less and less usable with every version, and Android client non-existent and late to market. The competition your proprietary clients and deliberately limited API's prevent are causing your own offerings to atrophy. Skype is great, but also fast becoming the Compuserve of VOIP.
Customer service is near non-existent. Ok, that's low cost, but you also abuse your customers. If a customers credit card expires, you steal the remaining value in their customer subscriptions and make them pay again with their new card. (Just surf the forums for the many pissed-off paying customer that has happened to.) Credit transfers you used to be able to with the business dashboard are disabled without notice or warning, leaving credit stranded. Just thoughtless actions.
As you say yourself, you have been hassling Fring for a long time, looks like you've succeeded in wiping them out. Now we can use your official Android service offering instead; oh that's right you don't have one.
Shame on you Skype.
duca_mkr commented Tuesday, Jul 13
I tried using the skype mobile application but found that Fring worked alot better. If you want me to keep spending my $$$$$ with you guys you'd better make a mobile app that works!! I think you guys shot yourself in the foot and I am already searching for an alternative to Skype and won't hesitate in taking my $$$$ somewhere else as soon as possible.
robertlogger commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Problem is, Fring was the only working application for Skype on my Nokia N78. I hope Fring will start a desktopversion. Maybe, we Fringusers may use Skype again.....
xofer- commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Skype is a coward. When will you release the SkypeNet api that you promised 5 years ago:
http://blogs.skype.com/devzone/2005/08/skype_opens_im_and_presence_to_1.html
I realize that this promise was made because you peed in your pants hearing the Google Talk announcement and then ditched the plan when Google did not throw enough weight behind the Talk feature to threaten you. But a promise is a promise.
a.d.am commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Whatever Skype! just because you dont have the talent to bring video conferencing to the masses doesnt mean you should be blocking others. "fring wasnt using the API the way it was intended." Really?? Because it seems like when I was videoing my family from my Evo to their desktop it worked just fine. Android OS is years old at this point and you STILL dont have an app for all the handsets. You are making a wrong move here.
thejagal commented Tuesday, Jul 13
SKYPE FOR BLACKBERRY!!!!
Fringe was one possiblity to use skype on BB... When do we get a skype app for Blackberry?
lachancp commented Tuesday, Jul 13
@Skype: You guys are smoking the crack if you didn't know that Fring BROUGHT you customers. Right now the best business steps for you are in the following order if you want to keep customers and make $$$money$$$:
1. Allow Fring to use your Skype access to keep your CURRENT and soon to be future customers HAPPY!
2. Release your client (even if only voice) as soon as possible to ALL Android platforms. Many Fring/Skype customers will install and USE mobile Skype!
3. Develop and release your video enhanced Skype client for ALL mobile users. Many more Fring/Skype customers will install and USE mobile Skype!
*Important note: keep your PC client user fees EXACTLY the same as your mobile client user fees.
If you follow these basic, simple steps; you will keep your current customers, bring in many NEW customers, and become a MUCH larger company making MUCH more $$$money$$$.
Ultimately, it is your choice, but right now you have a PR nightmare on your hands, so what are you going to do about it?
evilgeenius commented Tuesday, Jul 13
I can't wait until a competitor, hopefully google, brings out a decent voip + video service. Most of my friends feel the same.
peterthefatman commented Tuesday, Jul 13
@ Skype: your issue ist not called "misuse" of something, it's called frustration! You maybe want fring to crawl at your feet and say that Skype is the best messaging service ever seen... anyway, let me tell you 2 things: 1) If you didn't start this mess, nobody had to compare fring and Skype in some particular situations; now that you forced us to do so, Skype on Symbian is way slower than fring and it seems that their software solution is simply running better on Nokia E series... just ask fring how to do it. 2) You might want to know what the german users are thinking about Skype, you better get someone who can translate, have a gallon of coffee and don't get nervous about the blog postings. Don't expect much happiness about the fact that you banned fring!
krazeedave38 commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Hmm- honestly the lack of IP use on verizon made using skype while I was on a mission trip to Haiti USELESS. FRING was the only way I was able to communicate with my daughter in the US. The misuse of skype's API?? Really sounds like a smokescreen, more detail is needed before I don't call baloney sandwich on you. Skype mobile on verizon is cell phone based not IP, and the whole video aspect didnt matter to me, now I have no voice of IP with skype to use. Fring is uninstalled but skype mobile will not be replacing it. I pray some decent voice over IP comes out. Either verizon is strangle holding you or all the talk about freedom was before you were bought out. not sure, dont really care just very disappointed. The open nature of linux, android os etc are what makes it strong. The regulatory nature of microsoft, apple the US gov't are all what makes them inefficient and cumbersome to deal with. Apple has current cool factor so it will sell until other 'cooler' options prevail. The same will be for skype, when other better freer apps are present it will diminish into obscurity. (can anyone say real player...)
ultimatelydistracted commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Dear Skype,
If you haven't noticed, there is a huge market desire for a mobile VOIP service which can be used over both wireless and WiFi networks. There is also a growing market desire for openness, as evident by Google's success. There is massive amounts of money to be made if you would acknowledge just ONE of these market forces. If you're not going to develop a viable mobile VOIP with video for mobile devices in a reasonable time frame, then embrace openness and let someone else do it.
Personally, I think Fring video calling was crap on my EVO, even over WiFi. Fairly unusable. However, I don't think you should disallow their continued development and improvement on your network, because unlike you, they aren't ignoring the customer. If you continue to go the route of Apple, and necessitate and fuel the success of a more open competitor, you will not survive like Apple has. After all, Apple makes an incredible product that is difficult to beat... where as I've found a simple browser-plugin with Gmail to be just as usable as, and often more reliable than, your software. Do you really want to make them try?
guillermolococo commented Tuesday, Jul 13
To be sincery, I hate this "divide & conquer" IM propietary networks.
I will move to XMPP. Is far much better
Facebook -> 500 million users
gMail /Google -> 200 million users
ovi.com /Nokia -> 90 million users
Gmx.com .es -> 15 million users
vKontakte.ru -> 75 million users
+ more companies.
Skype nor MSN nor Yahoo can succeed over XMPP.
Skype removal is a good point to improve XMPP network.
Fragmentation in IM is not a good point and eventually if this continue, will lead us to a caos.
Best regards.
ps: Think twice !
atropo.it commented Tuesday, Jul 13
"Thanks", skype now I don't have video call, thank a lot. Fring work greatly on my symbian mobile, but on my pc I use Skype. Skype have to apologize to its custmers!
josephryanross commented Tuesday, Jul 13
I'm sorry, but skype does a lot more "damage" to its own brand than fring will ever do.
Fring made skype relevant. If skype doesn't get its finger out of its ass it will just become irrelevant to all the other VOIP companies in the world.
josephryanross commented Tuesday, Jul 13
this will all become irrelevant when google releases VOIP for google voice.
then skype will have no brand at all so no one can damage it!
demetrevalaris commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Cut the crap and allow fring to use skype. You are going to loose all your customers in the end!
jaznarem commented Tuesday, Jul 13
If the native iOS app would support all the features that Fring offers I could even understand this. But a big company like Skype with an awful iOS application shutting down an amazing iOS application from a small company like Fring, is just way too embarrassing.
You should be ashamed of yourself, Skype team.
pajafumo commented Tuesday, Jul 13
I agree, skype is to limited on mobil devices and is not the best software to talk or chat or have all contacts integrated on just one amazing app. Get skype work with fring.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
wayne_may commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Skype, pull your finger out of your a** and support both the Android and iOS platforms... Fring beat you to the punch, and I think you are butt hurt about it.
I would use Skype over Fring anythime... but currently Fring DOES support my needs.
Oh, and anybody who wants to use Skype on Android, its easy: Find someone with a Verizon phone, and copy their APK - It works!
crankmosh commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Hey Skype and Robert, let me let you in on a secret... it's the secret that you are damaging your own reputation by not putting out software that people actually want, you are not the only game in town anymore...
YOU ARE DIEING!!! (Like a dinosaur)
Goodnight...
arnowiththeburningshoes commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Surprisingly, many seem to believe that video calls started with Skype and Apple. Maybe that is part of the reason for this little war. I made video calls from mobile to mobile or PC since two years, via 3G or WiFi, using tivi. Fring was great since it offered the only full-featured solution for Nokia/Symbian OS phones when it came to video calls to Skype subscribers. As from now, Skype is dead for me.
orthopteroid commented Tuesday, Jul 13
I recently purchased an N900 phone - that comes with a skype video conferencing capable client. It is awesome with the screen-side camera and the back-side popout stand. Skype for mobile is here with the N900. If is isn't available for iphone/blackberry it could just be a problem apple/rim....
wilsonhlacerda commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Just a simple YES/NO question to Skype:
Is this somehow related to the current Skype connectivity problems in Nimbuzz?
( ) YES
( ) NO
Please check the correct answer!
arammanuk commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Very angry! The best solutions will be if fring developed the PC. Client. And then we can complettly switch to fringe. Shame on you Skype!!!
arifnadeem7 commented Tuesday, Jul 13
hahahaaha, skype app on any supported mobile phone doesn't even have a dial pad to dial extension numbers, one cannot even send dtmf tones which is a basic thing in any telephone call, and you people expect ios 4 support and other shit, I truly believe that skype is trying to commercialize its services and damaging its reputation, skype please start developing something that appeals to your customers and then start blogging your shitty comments, fring is far too better, I would turn my back on you people in 1 month if you don't release a new version with atleast something new in it and I expect you people to integrate a keypad with valid dtmf tones in mobile app, which should have been done ages ago.
fiveofakind- commented Tuesday, Jul 13
Bad move Skype...
You seem to don't give a s**t about continued development for other operating systems and gadgets, and in turn, you're shafting your customers and partners.
Can't you guys figure out that people need Skype on their mobilie phones and gadgets rather than a PC?
Now, mark my words: Google Voice (Gizmo5) will screw you guys for good.
blsub6 commented Tuesday, Jul 13
It seems that Skype is more concerned about making a little money than giving their users a great user experience.
If you want to give your consumers a great experience, release a competing product (Android app, iPhone app update with vid calling, multitasking, bluetooth support) and release it for free, because everything else that comes close is free as well.
I beg both you and Fring to put aside your hurt feelings and restore Skype support in Fring for now. It was a great experience for the few hours it was working. Heck, if you really want to shaft Fring for going around your API agreement, release an amazing app that does all of the aforementioned and nobody will use Fring anymore!!
omid.afshari commented Tuesday, Jul 13
you lie, the truth is that Skype want much money from Fring, and Fring is free for customers and small company that can not pay as much money as Skype want. I think that Fring is not always think only for money same Skype.
jessehutchkins commented Wednesday, Jul 14
I think, everybody repsponsible for the block of use on Fring , of skype should die and burn in hell, there's hundreds of Cancer patients overseas that contact others overseas for confort and company and all their last dreams just vanish, BOTH companies are awful, I really , really hope....that developers create new application, to send all these hearthless GREEDY assholes of Skype and Fring to hell!. block me if you want you know is ALL about money. Die all and burn in hell for these, I haven't seen my patient for three days now. Wish you ...the worse.
kevincromarty commented Wednesday, Jul 14
As an Unlimited World subscriber paying $26.95 per quarter with an online number too, you have until 8/25 to get an Android VOIP application out. Otherwise I'm off. Your brand and reputation are pretty much done as far as I'm concerned.
firepilot451 commented Wednesday, Jul 14
I was an avid Skype user and paying customer (despite the horrible software and non-existent customer service), but now I will be looking for any alternative on a daily basis. I am not sure that Skype holds any value for me anymore. I'm ready to pull the plug now...
firepilot451 commented Wednesday, Jul 14
Oh yes, I almost forgot: @ Mrshelby - So true! I actually left Verizon for Sprint because of the Evo 4G and because of Verizon's ridiculous pricing. I was with Verizon for 7 years or so. It was a big decision for me, but I'm so glad that I did it now. I look forward to the demise of Verizon, and now Skype for being in bed with them.
plmiranda commented Wednesday, Jul 14
The only reason this is happening, is because Skype became a Giant and lost their startup / innovative spirit. Instead of innovating, skype is doing the opposite, in this case they are pressing a small company that just made what (mobile) skype user is asking for years: video calls on Skype + integration with other voips...
Don't take me wrong, Skype has lots of merit... but right now, all come from the past...
Android? how the heck it doesn't exist yet? (unbelievable)
Windows mobile? you can't even download skype anymore... suddenly a wm user that had for instance changed it's phone to a new one (or reset to factory), goes to skype.com and there is no way of installing it again how the hell this makes sense to this press release B.S. about "skype reputation" ???
Take a look at the mobile version of Skype on iPhone, which is probably their best bet (since they stopped Wmobile and no Android), the version its outdated, it doesn't support video calls, multitasking, and many more features like push, etc.
Video calls for instance, they already have the technology since years ago, but it's their option not to enable it on the mobile apps... why? not sure, but probably the answer has lots of money involved...
regards !
Fring on the other hand, in a very quick way figured out how to provide video calls to it's users, and
hmshsieh commented Wednesday, Jul 14
With all seriousness, this is insane. though I do not use my personal Skype account that much, I sure as hell use a lot on my company account. Now that there is no Skype for WM and no Android support, I guess we will just let the company account run out and start with something else.
As much as iPhone is a hit in the US, it is less popular in other areas (I am from Asia), and both WM and Andriod are just much of a hit as iPhone (for example, 70% of my 113 company phones are WM and the rest is Android; iPhone is 0%). Without any support to WM and Android now, it means that we may need to look at other alternatives.
I guess this is the price to pay when you volunteer to become a tool for Apple in exchange for the the use of FaceTime technology. I sincerely hope this is worth it in the long run.
lucci.la commented Wednesday, Jul 14
just give us , to your users , video calls into Skype mobile for a large range of phones , not only for N900 , and all we'll be with you.
if we'll not have it from you , we'll have to find other ways from other IM companies .
g_i_wang commented Wednesday, Jul 14
Let me get this straight--You didn't block Fring, you simply told them they were "in breach of Skype’s API Terms of Use and End User License Agreement."
So, in essence, Fring can no longer enable their Skype support, because you told them so. Sounds like blocking to me. But then what do I know? Maybe a lawyer could define the difference for us.
What I don't understand is, how is Fring's temporary reduction of Skype support to free up their own network capacity damaging your brand? When they did that, sure, the people who were disappointed were Skype users, but they were also Fring users. And they were not disappointed with you, they were disappointed with Fring. That did absolutely nothing to hurt your brand, as far as I could tell.
And if you want your customers, who "have high expectations of the Skype experience," to not be disappointed with you, how 'bout releasing your own mobile apps that are at least as good as what Fring had offered?
ramon.parada commented Wednesday, Jul 14
You got a problem with the mis-usability of your software. Thank you Fring for brining VoIP calls to my phone.
swishy.fresh commented Wednesday, Jul 14
I'm really disappointed in Skype right now. I've been a paying customer for years... pre-pay, unlimited world subscriptions, numerous skype handsets for my mac. And they can't grace me with an android application. At the same time as feeding me the most patronising line I think I've ever heard in a corporate environment...
"When we make one that lives up to our customers high standards"
You know what, I'm out... bye. No more. You lost me.. and I will make it my business to never recommend Skype amongst my peers again.
rsouthgate commented Wednesday, Jul 14
It is sad that only a couple of years back skype would have been seen as the fresh new company fighting the incumbent telcos with a brand new proposition and now you are the incumbent acting just like one would expect. Don't you have a PR department that vets these sort of comments? With one post you have just permanently damaged your brand value.
"Fring...again damaging our brand and disappointing our customers, who have high expectations of the Skype experience."
Innovation doesn't disappoint. Discouraging it does.
bigi_pa commented Wednesday, Jul 14
when will skypre release a mobile app that at least offers the same service fring does? Skype is shooting itself in both feet by not having any app available at this moment for any phoen except Iphone 3g(s). Even if i have to pay for the app, i wouldn't mind.
Going to try Nimbuzz now, hope that works . . .
As i understand the situation correctly, skype wants more money from fring. How come skype didn't hire developers to come up with a solution close to or even better than what fring offers? Get them from fring and offer them a pay increase of at least 20% more than what they get now, and within a month you can release your own mobile app!!
Shame on you only cashing in, and not being innovative, even by getting the innovative people from the "competition".
zvonko_9a6ww commented Wednesday, Jul 14
This action will surely dissappoint lot of Skype mobile users and damage your own reputation.
Problem is, Skype software for mobile phones is buggy and battery killer. Fring is offering a good program which I can run on my phone 24 hours a day with acceptable energy consumption. I think the real problem is that fring is offering integration of variety of voip providers. Why are you so affraid of competition ?
I want to have Google talk, Icq, etc... inclunding Skype on my phone, but I cannot run 10 programs on my phone from various vendors.
Well, if I must choose between only one (Skype) and variety of others - my choice is clear. Bye.
agriffiths.skype commented Wednesday, Jul 14
This blog post is a giant load of crap! Fring's "misuse of your brand name", dropping video support for iOS4, was only due to their network being bogged down because of massive use and demand.......because Skype has no working video chat for iphone or Android, for that matter. Fring fully intended to bring the service back online when their network was beefed up to support the traffic. Anyone with half a brain can realize that Fring would not just drop Skype for such trivial reasons, being the major part of their service for four years. It is you, sir, and the people at your company, who have damaged the name of Skype by not having any functioning software on the iphone or Android.
Your claims are utter non-sense.
geddart commented Wednesday, Jul 14
Excluding fring would be ok if YOU guys had a service that gives us the same experience (how about better!?!) BUT YOU HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE. This is ridiculous. Unless your attitude changes I will try to avoid skype.
svega85 commented Wednesday, Jul 14
not sure what happened, but yall should try to work things out, fring was a great app when I had other phones, and if a lot of people can't use you're service on their phones, you will lose the money of a lot of paying customers.
davidws commented Wednesday, Jul 14
While I give you credit for setting the standart in Voip, creating excellent codecs etc.
I can't believe that an organization like Skype, worth billions of dollars, recently nominated as world's largest international calling carrier (Skype accounts for 12% of all international calling minutes) is so slow to act and innovate. The iPhone app sucks, the android one doesn't exist. For 1 hour a month you should pull your corporate thumb out of your ass and dedicate some time to who's taken Skype to the stars: YOUR FUCKING USERS!
nicolasdecam commented Wednesday, Jul 14
Skype, you have nobody to blame for this... Your damaging your own brand by not innovating. The iOS app should have been released the day iOS came out. Stop blaming another company that did what you had too do!!
equinger commented Wednesday, Jul 14
why are you guys doing this? Fring's aggregation is useful to you ... video calling will be a commodity in no time and you KNOW google is situated to pounce w/ THEIR user volume and loyalty, google talk, and google voice applications. If you force people to CHOOSE you as you worry about how Fring is hurting your brand (thumbing your nose at an ally), my bet is that people will just use google talk and msn on an aggregator ... where the rest of their friends are.
lbr3akr commented Wednesday, Jul 14
After a few comments i stopped reading. I'm also not sure if you read this, but I'll give it a try. You see, many people are really angry about what happened. Doesn't matter whos guilty. Enough people before me said what they are thinking whats wrong. I want to say something else:
Think about, why you got as big as you are?
Before you, there were enough Instant Messengers... but
You brought Voice over IP to the Users. This was good.
You extended that with Video. That was also good.
You brought as one of the less a native client to Linux. Also that was good.
In fact you've done a few things others overslept.
But now you are oversleeping the "Zeitgeist"
When you don't get back to your past innovative power, Skype will end up as a google brand or more worse.
Think about, do something, it would be sad when you are forgotten in a few years.
Regards
Ghost
farrukhn commented Wednesday, Jul 14
Because you have blocked skype on fring I had to install skype on my mobile phone (Nokia E51). I think you have to consited this as your achievement, but I offer you to make this experiment and compare both applications. I hope you will understand why YOUR consumers prefer fring to skype on mobile. Fring is by far more convinient and reliable, and this is not just habit. Here are few points of why fring is better than skype mobile: everytime while changing connection on the phone sky disconnect and I have to manualy switch it on by selecting new connection (this makes skype completely unreliable), before chatting special text window opens and only after that you enter text, while talking on the skype mobile the phone keypad goes to guard and you cannot end call by pressing red button, no way to switch on speakerphone. There are much more unconviniences of skype mobile and think if really "fring misuse of your brand name" of your own rough application misuse of your brand name! I think your brand name is being build by your attention to your consumers and not by your relations with competitor.
gabor.tabi commented Wednesday, Jul 14
Nothing damaged the Skype brand more, than the debacle you put yourselves into.
Fring was not perfect, but it was there. I use Skype a lot, and many of my contacts are also on Skype. I use Skype to make phone calls. Implementing your own protocol on an open platform such as Android is not rocket science, Fring has shown us that it can be done.
If you do not get your act together quickly (and I mean yesterday!), then you will lose customers using Android. It might not look like a lot now, but it is a growing platform, with a lot of tech-savvy people. Do you really want to piss us all off and lose us for good?
Verizon is a local company. There is life outside of the US. There are users outside of the US, who are very frustrated by the way you fathead dicks have been handling this issue, and how you have been playing hard to get on Android overall. Selling out to Verizon is gut churning in itself. Not releasing an application for the whole world because of this little bondage game you're playing with big business is a huge shot in the foot.
ahamlinman commented Wednesday, Jul 14
I am on Verizon and can confirm that the Skype mobile app is absolutely pathetic compared to Fring. Audio quality is horrible, no WiFi support, no video support, etc. In the words of Fring, I'm "voting with my mobile phone" and refusing to download and use Skype Mobile.
asenath83 commented Wednesday, Jul 14
As many people have said, Skype is damaging their own reputation without any help from other companies.
Whether it is continued issues with the client software, the abysmal product quality for anything that isn't a Windows PC or... you know... the lack of an UP TO DATE FAQ and useful support. I for one will most certainly not put any amount of money into my Skype account anymore.
I very much agree though, with Google entering the business, Skype has not so funny times ahead unless they update their products and services according to people's demands. And I bet HD webcam support was most certainly NOT one of the top user requests!
kabatelecom1 commented Wednesday, Jul 14
Fring is very good application. Sometime, i use nimbuzz but i prefer fring. I hope that skype will reconnect fring.
keiffus commented Wednesday, Jul 14
I am fed up with Skype! As an iOS user, I have had to wait for updates that should have taken weeks, not months to arrive. You even had the audacity to join Steve Jobs on stage at WWDC '10 stating and iOS 4 compatible update would occur, and over a month later that hasn't happened. Instead I hear excuses and threats to charge me if I use your service over 3G (which you haven't explained why or how much you will be charging for this feature). So when you claim that fring violated your terms of service, your customers don't believe you since you have been lying to us for months and stringing us along. The comments above prove this. I will be shopping around for a replacement for my Skype subscription shortly. I am sick of the stalling and sick of your lame excuses!
pslaplace commented Wednesday, Jul 14
I've been reading comments around the news, web, and blogosphere and, almost without exception, Skype is being excoriated by users and hi-tech writers alike for the way in which they've handled the Fring debacle. Skype, people are seriously beginning to doubt your honesty and yet this is met with......more accusations? When Google releases an app that includes video calling over Google Voice (and it's only a matter of time), Skype will be toast. I really don't understand the way in which you've decided to handle this. You're arrogance is becoming quite obvious.
pslaplace commented Wednesday, Jul 14
I've been reading comments around the news, web, and blogosphere and, almost without exception, Skype is being excoriated by users and hi-tech writers alike for the way in which they've handled the Fring debacle. Skype, people are seriously beginning to doubt your honesty and yet this is met with......more accusations? When Google releases an app that includes video calling over Google Voice (and it's only a matter of time), Skype will be toast. I really don't understand the way in which you've decided to handle this. You're arrogance is becoming quite obvious. No one wants to deal with a company that shows only disdain for its customer base.
edoardo.odorico commented Wednesday, Jul 14
Hear this:
I have a nokia 5800.
Skype official app doesn't work, it crashs, it's slow and when it works it doesn't work at all (call doesn't appear, messages appear and then disappear)
Fring works, with voice calls, with video calls, with messages.
I use skype beacuse I have my IM accounts all toghether in Fring. If Skype doesn't work, I say bye skype from my mobile.
This is a stupid move. Don't you? Think again. Why GoogleTalk works? Why Msn Network work? just think about that. Don't say useless excuse.
Thanks, Good Job
giuseppe_mauro commented Wednesday, Jul 14
I think you're very ridicoulou in blocking fring....
I'm going to uninstall skype from all my (and my parents') pcs and mobiles!!!!!
I'm very disappointed with you!!!
Fring rulez
tsiguel commented Wednesday, Jul 14
Judging by the state of conversation, the officials are not making constructive response; every point criticized has not been given any attention, the answers look like automatically generated.
The thing is, if Skype's mobile users are a big share of its customers, they will suffer from that decision, but so far I can only see just under 200 comments with 42 million of users daily? It is sad but we cannot do anything
Skype said big f**k you to all the mobile users, I am truly disappointed with the company;
Anyhow, its time to wait for Google's responce
fritzthecatt commented Wednesday, Jul 14
Howdy,my account name is 'fritzthecatt'.Upon trying to use my skype account today, I noticed that it states that my "Skype Pro subscription" will expire today as my payment has failed...Yet my account balance (Credit) is $11.92 !!! What is wrong... where is the problem??? I don't understand...ALSO each time I went to phone a number today,a notice kept popping up stating that "SKYPE" had incurred a problem and had to close !!?? What is going on...have I done something incorrect ?? How do we resolve this situation ?? I would appreciate you prompt handleing of this matter!! In Advance,Thank-You
zeyusdotcom commented Wednesday, Jul 14
Skype, you are a joke,
I cannot make skypeout calls from my Samsung I8910 now.
I spent money doing this...
And I used skype to skype calls to talk with my family + coworkers.
No problems though, I'm sure I'll have very little trouble convincing friends, family, and colleagues to switch over to google talk
Until then I'm stuck with skype, but it wont take long....
wilsonhlacerda commented Wednesday, Jul 14
[b]@peterparkes[/b]
Thanks for your reply. I did that already both on Nimbuzz official forum and I'm also waiting Nimbuzz reply. You can check there my question under same nickname as here (I'm not posting the link in order to not have this comment censored like the previous one I had).
BUT, as it is a Skype+Nimbuzz problem it's obvious that we, Skype+Nimbuzz users , want to hear clear answers from BOTH Skype AND Nimbuzz. I believe both Skype and Nimbuzz want to offer a great Skype+Nimbuzz experience to their users. Don't you agree with that?
I'm still waiting for Skype answer to my simple YES/NO question. Just as I'm waiting for Nimbuzz's one. I'm sure BOTH Skype and Nimbuzz are professional companies and cares about their customers, that's why I'm still waiting. I am not wrong, am I?
pathabisohn commented Thursday, Jul 15
Wow I loved Skype. I brag about it to all my friends. One of the reason i bought the new iphone 4g was because of the promise of a new and improved functionality by adding push notifications. Instead I get a message that skype isn't supported. When i go to your sight you seem to focus on the android phones. What a bait and switch. What happened?
iwmack commented Thursday, Jul 15
I must say, I think Skype's strategy in relation to Android, is utter folly. The company may rue the day it decided to pursue a strategy of selective exclusivity in the midst of such flux in the market.
Google's OS is expanding at a fantastic rate. The current situation is an open invitation to a smart, fast moving alternate system.
Skype will rely on its current popularity - assuming that users will return with gratitude when their universal Android app eventually appears.
But mobile IS the game now - and in that field, none of the VOIP services is too big to fail.
iPhone users are already being seduced by the very attractive Facetime.
We have yet to learn fully the nature of Steve Jobs' 'open standards' promise.
Users may not take much persuading to switch to a new, slick desktop application if it can deliver quality interoperability with mobile.
With the ubiquity of iOS devices - the draw of being able to communicate with all your iPhone friends may quickly outweigh the inconvenience of not being able to reach a few Skype contacts.
Which brings us back to Fring. The relationship may not be going so well with Skype at the moment - but who is to say they will not suddenly make use of the Apple 'open standards' to create a nice way of connecting those devices.
Meanwhile Skype is occupied nurturing its relationship with one carried in one country, and assuming users will hang on until it is good and ready.
I think the tide is stronger than that - and there is a real risk of getting washed away.
iwmack commented Thursday, Jul 15
I must say, I think Skype's strategy in relation to Android, is utter folly. The company may rue the day it decided to pursue a strategy of selective exclusivity in the midst of such flux in the market.
Google's OS is expanding at a fantastic rate. The current situation is an open invitation to a smart, fast moving alternate system.
Skype will rely on its current popularity - assuming that users will return with gratitude when their universal Android app eventually appears.
But mobile IS the game now - and in that field, none of the VOIP services is too big to fail.
iPhone users are already being seduced by the very attractive Facetime.
We have yet to learn fully the nature of Steve Jobs' 'open standards' promise.
Users may not take much persuading to switch to a new, slick desktop application if it can deliver quality interoperability with mobile.
With the ubiquity of iOS devices - the draw of being able to communicate with all your iPhone friends may quickly outweigh the inconvenience of not being able to reach a few Skype contacts.
Which brings us back to Fring. The relationship may not be going so well with Skype at the moment - but who is to say they will not suddenly make use of the Apple 'open standards' to create a nice way of connecting those devices.
Meanwhile Skype is occupied nurturing its relationship with one carried in one country, and assuming users will hang on until it is good and ready.
I think the tide is stronger than that - and there is a real risk of getting washed away.
wilsonhlacerda commented Thursday, Jul 15
And now......is Skype hacked????
Skype's Biggest Secret Revealed:
www DOT enrupt DOT com/index.php/2010/07/07/skype-biggest-secret-revealed
Really reversed engineered or a hoax? We'll probably know soon.
ryuworks commented Thursday, Jul 15
What Skype experience? If you are refering to the non-iOS4 support, totally outdated official Skype app (that threatens to bring charges to only iPhone users), then the Fring experience on the Skype network is a million times better than whatever crap Skype itself can offer.
Go figure. Skype on iPhone sucks big time.
brinito commented Thursday, Jul 15
uhmm i only can imagine one thing: "SKYPE wants money from Fring" ...that's all !!
jeroen94704 commented Thursday, Jul 15
The stubborn refusal of Skype to open up their protocols is the root cause of this situation. As far as I'm concerned, this refusal to make Skype an open system where all third-parties are allowed to create and market useful applications makes Skype a dead-end in the VoIP arena.
Sad, but true.
yangalexyu commented Thursday, Jul 15
Cmon Skype Go F*** yourself.
Skype has the worst calling quality on PC and Skype's mobile application can be run on most Windows Mobile phones. I won't renew my Skype subscription. I've had enough of Skype.
yangalexyu commented Thursday, Jul 15
BTW this article is ridiculous.
How can fring damge Skype's image? B/c Skype sucks, so ppl have to use Fring.
eradius commented Thursday, Jul 15
Dear Skype. There was a time when we really loved you. Today we hope another Voip sw client will arrive on every mobile phone. If this happens, and it will, you are screwed. Good bye.
michael.nr.burrows commented Thursday, Jul 15
Wow not many blogs get this vociferous, and you know what, the staggering lack of comment from Skype tells me a lot about their attitude to their customers. If you really cared you would kiss and make up with fring as it's certainly not doing your reputation any good which, as you say, is something that you want to preserve.
boliviangringo commented Thursday, Jul 15
Please do not insult our intelligence. This is about money, pure and simple, not about damaging the Skype brand. Is that the best response you could think of?
mywongyy commented Thursday, Jul 15
I use Skype call out services on my N95 with Fring, now I cannot use this service,. Pls stop your quarrel with Fring, we want the services, no the nonsense!!!
robince commented Thursday, Jul 15
Can see why it was damaging to your brand and reputation - Fring were actual able to bring out a great quality, functional app in a short amount of time.
How can I use Skype IM from my Android phone now? (I am in the UK)
mike.stanford1 commented Thursday, Jul 15
To echo many of the comments above and add my own:
1) As an Android user (specifically Nexus One) there is NO Skype app that is viable for me now that Fring is dead.
2) I use Skype for business purposes almost exclusively.
3) I PAY for Skype services therefore I am a CUSTOMER.
4) By failing to provide a viable Android app except to Verizon (one carrier among many) Skype is NOT SERVING IT'S CUSTOMERS.
5) I may look for another IP telephony provider and take MY MONEY to another company.
The failure of Skype to provide a viable app for my mobile platform is simply an indication that the company (Skype) does not have it's finger on the pulse of the market. Fring demonstrated clearly that the demand exists. Get off your collective butt Skype!!!
osergyeyev commented Thursday, Jul 15
Count on me as well.
I have used Skype credits to make calls from mobile. But as far as Skype has no support to Nexus One and banned Fring, I have no other way as stop paying Skype and go to other SIP providers for mobile VoIP solutions.
Bye-bye "clever" company S...e
tatjana_69 commented Thursday, Jul 15
tried the mentioned Nimbuzz. .. for some reason Skype keeps getting disconnected every now and then - like every two hours or so, wonder why and how long we can use it on nimbuzz
john.altreche commented Thursday, Jul 15
I think skype just don't care about anyone but the big V. Hey At&t has it's Apple and gizmo apps, Sprint has that Fring app, But it is odd that Verizon mostly gets the only attention. You want Skype here get Verizon. Thats bull I pay for skype along with several others, you guys have managed to damage your own name not Fring. All they did was figure a way to link all cell phone users to one network, but I cant blame you guys for wanting to keep you hands in Verizon's back pocket after all money talks. (GREED) is my closing word!
radiosgalore commented Thursday, Jul 15
this is very disappointing as Skype is no longer providing an acceptable level of service. they simply have 2 choices. restore the ability of fring users to connect or bring an android version out that is not limited to a single network. Skype you are failing your users. correct this ASAP or you will lose users hand over fist. you have been warned. change this unacceptable policy and stop trying to blame fring. YOU pulled the plug now YOU restore it
amyherndon.com commented Thursday, Jul 15
It looks like you're scared of what fring has. If fring was doing something so horrible you should have blocked it right away but supposedly haven't. Why not? On android, fring is useful unlike yours that offers no video calls or integration with other im's. If you prefer to lose users then continue blocking. Game over when they make a desktop version.
alexmabreu commented Thursday, Jul 15
That´s a GOOD ask:
Why don't you just build video conferencing into Skype mobile???
I use a Nokia (symbian) N78 and I'm very disappointed with this. If you don't want us to use Fring with skype, give us your alternative with video!!! That´s simple!!!
wokwok1 commented Thursday, Jul 15
no skype for android?! ... maybe all the Android users should switch to GoogleVoice? If skype doesn't work, we need an alternative, or?
alexmabreu commented Thursday, Jul 15
After all the posts above, what's your next step, skype?
I'm waiting...
... to take my final decision and tell all my friends that use skype too.
deeznetz commented Thursday, Jul 15
No response..... I am not surprised. Thanks for $HITTING on us Skype. Or should I say Verizon, or ATT? Which one has their hooks in you? Probably both. Sell Out Much? You're the next AOL.
Skype? What? Huh? Haven't heard of it.
david.khanaferov commented Thursday, Jul 15
This is very upsetting. Skype is a huge international organization; you have tons of resources and probably have a few very smart software engineers working for your organization. Are you really going to tell me you can not develop a native Android application?
You had recently threatened Fring with a lawsuit if they did not stop using skype protocol. I find this extremely upsetting. Why would you do this makes no sense to me. I bought the HTC Evo 4g from Sprint instead of the new iPhone because I wanted to be able to use the Skype video chat on my extremely powerful phone. I paid $300 for this phone and now it is useless. It is just another Android phone because I can not use Fring to communicate with my skype contacts. Now I don’t know your business model and profit making but I do know that regardless of whether I was using Fring or Skype I still had to get skype credits from your organization and you still made money from my use of your network.
If you are going to disallow Fring from using skype protocol, then why don’t you have a Skype application for Android which is available on any Android rather than just Verizon??? I don’t understand, Skype is supposed to be all about openness and free communication since when did that become all about profit management?
I will tell you something. I have never heard of Fring but I started looking into skype for Android and was unpleasantly surprised to find out that your organization does not have an app. Its amazing to me, so I found out about Fring. Had you actually developed an App for Skype I would be using Skype. So any profit that you claim was lost due to people using Fring and app is because you DID NOT provide an app. You are responsible and now you are punishing people like me your loyal customers.
Now I am a software engineer, I develop automatic fingerprint systems. I also develop applications for Android, and I know it is not very difficult to make an application Skype especially since you probably have extremely smart engineers working for you.
The bottom line is if you are not going to create an app then allow Fring to use your protocol. However, either way I already lost all respect for your organization and trust me I had a lot of respect for you guys. Now you are just another corporation out to screw its customers.
You know it’s companies like your which slow down progress and development of open communications. Thanks a lot Skype for bring down progress because you are too lazy to put in some man hours to make an app and you are too greedy to allow someone else to serve your customers… while you get all the profit by the way Fring makes no profit from using skype protocol
fredex2 commented Thursday, Jul 15
Guys, I'm sorry but I don't live in the planet called US. Should I move to there to have a good usage of skype? Or just buy only a skype phone to use?
What means "Skype for iPhone: Update for iOS 4 coming soon"? I don't speak this language right... Apple released yesterday the new firmware or the developer kit?
The team that develops are really big, like 1 guy to handle many languages and devices...
Skype don't want to damage the brand, why is taking so long to release the update? I know, because they are spendind time fighting with other companys that has things the official app don't...
Skype and Fring, looks like two kids fighting for a candy. Fring is so huge that is making a lot of money with the users that has account at skype and pay the calls to normal phones.
To be really honest, stop to be stupid. Listen the users!!! You guys exist because the users like and some pay to have extra-services like me.
The slogan, Skype everywhere is a lie?
This is really sad...
fredex2 commented Thursday, Jul 15
Can someone translate this for me? "Skype is even better when he is always with you".
I really can not understand the meaning... Sorry...
real_hobbit commented Thursday, Jul 15
Mr. Miller, "Vox populi - vox Dei"! Now it's time to show to all the users that their opinion is important for Skype, isn't it? What do You say?
josecarlostaibo commented Thursday, Jul 15
what about skype for windows mobile?
skype has a terrible mobile service and fring was a nice alternative.
I'm waiting for goggle or microsoft VOIP to leave Skype.
geoff08skype commented Thursday, Jul 15
banning fring is the stupidest move of skype to date. there is another android app called nimbuzz which enables skype calling. i dare you to ban it as well. shame on you, skype.
onlinetechguy commented Thursday, Jul 15
After being a loyal, patient customer with Skype for over a year I just canceled my subscription. I refuse to pay a company that refuses to adapt to the times. I am now pushing for my company to abandon Skype as well, and being the IT guy who manages communication I think i stand a good chance at success. Skype is supposed to be using profits to keep up with the times, but their (lack of) updates, questionable business practices, and greed have made me see that they are no longer a company I want to do business with. This Fring episode is the final straw. If Fring is providing a service you won't/can't offer, you should be communicating with your users rather than keeping quiet. Tell us that you are or aren't gong to do something CONSTRUCTIVE about it instead of killing a feature that could have GAINED you a larger user base! Leaving Fring operational until you had your own app would have been the best thing for you, Fring, and your most important investors... YOUR USERS! If you're a employee at Skype you should feel ashamed of what your company did. I used to enjoy using Skype and felt happy to be a paying customer. Now... I'm just looking at your so called competitors, people who want to innovate and provide features, not when you felt like it, but when they are needed and demanded. I will be canceling my now free Skype account soon unless there is an appropriate, educated, CLEAR,and hopefully remorseful response that shows Skype cares about the people that made the company as good as it was... the users. I bet nothing happens. Skype has forgotten that without happy users, their software is as useful as a microphone thats not plugged in.
brcook2006 commented Friday, Jul 16
I have to say as an Australian user of Skype and Fringe when I’m mobile I want both to work together. I want people to be able to contact me via Skype when I’m away from my PC. Skype you should be acting like the large company you are and realize that business is about leveraging, leveraging other technologies to make yours better. If you cant see the world as a global place, ie: who cares about Verizon or just the US, someone else needs to take you out and replace your technology. Keep it going Skype and a start-up will certainly do that, and players like Fring will have a following that will take customers like me with it.
Get your act together Skype, build products that are for today’s technology and get them to market like you should be able to for a large company with a lot more resources than Fring
Pissed off Aussie who now cant communicate with friends overseas without being in front of my PC. Sad day Skype, actually its pathetic
beenish.marri commented Friday, Jul 16
We need Skype for Android phones for other carriers besides Verizon, I was using Fring and did not notice that I no longer had Skype on it. Can you guys please come out with a version for Android users that use other carriers? If we had an option to download the app directly from Skype, users would not resort to Fring to use Skype.
It took a very long time for users in the US to get Skype on their phones please do not prolong the process any longer and create an app for the Android Market Place. I actually got this phone because I would have been able to use Skype on it but now with the whole Fring deal I am out of luck and I am sure there are other users that feel the same way.
Can we please get an estimated delivery date for Skype for the Android Market Place?
Thanks
-Beenish
jules16v commented Friday, Jul 16
Congradulations! This situation has created only losers: Fring, whose deserved promising start was torked off by Skype's efforts, the Android user, who is now deprived of the possibility of feasibly using Skype on his mobile phone, and Skype, who have quite rightfullly suffered enormous damage to their image and, as a result, hopefully will choke on their own self-indulging attitude.
Skype, you used to be an innovative and open-minded start-up which provided excellent service and good quality products, and now look at yourself. You have turned into a slow, corrupt and monolithic enterprise which does what a slow, corrupt and monolitic enterprise does - worry about nothing else but quick money.
After being put off by every update to your PC/Mac client which has consistently made the experience worse (flashing ads and other nonsense), the promise you never kept (bringing a client to Android), your now piss-poor business practises and pathetic excuses, I have decided to find a viable alternative and take my money there.
As once a follower, I never thought I would say this: You need to go out of business.
neilmitch commented Friday, Jul 16
eradius commented Thursday, Jul 15
Dear Skype. There was a time when we really loved you. Today we hope another Voip sw client will arrive on every mobile phone. If this happens, and it will, you are screwed. Good bye.
eradius, you are correct. Fring is more likely to become a real competitor to Skype now they are no longer a partner to Skype. However, Fring would have to launch their own desktop apps as well. The biggest threat to Skype is Apple with FaceTime. If Skype fails to keep iPhone customers POSITIVELY motivated to stick with them they are in trouble. FaceTime is coming to the iPod next. We know that. We know that it will allow calling through email address as an identifier so you don't need a phone number. Here is where I start guessing...iChat will be replaced by FaceTime on the Mac as well. Once we have this, Apple could put Skype out of business with it's marketing muscle. Apple would love to port this to the PC (a la iTunes) to pull VOIP business it's way and sell more iPhones that way (since FaceTime will be Apple portable device only + MAC + PC).
I have TWO Skype subscriptions. One for home and one for work plus two Skype in numbers. Without background calls on the iPhone and am happy to look else where. Skype forced me to abandon Fring so I loaded Nimbuzz today.
Neil
webster_04 commented Friday, Jul 16
"damaging our brand and reputation" LOL! What reputation??? You lost your reputation when you sold Skype to eBay, and now you're selling e.g. "Skype Ringtones" and overprices accessories... Skype wasn't meant to be a fu***** commercial whore like it is now.
webster_04 commented Friday, Jul 16
BTW... this account "webster_04" was created in 2004. Skype was really good THEN, a free VOIP pioneer. No eBay, no USA. And a very nice philosophy behind it. Now, the philosophy is gone, but MONEY (legal dudes like you Robert prove that) is ruling. I'm glad that there are other good companies with good products out there and I hope they will push you out of business...
tommy_drum commented Friday, Jul 16
"Dear" Skype,
you're talking about fring "damaging your brand and reputation"?? WOW! Someone should be a complete idiot to even THINK about this! On the other side, please consider this: thousands of Android users used SKYPE TO CALL THROUGH THEIR ANDROID PHONES VIA FRING, also paying numbers, thinking "wow, skype allows us to use their protocol through Fring, great gentlemen, aren't they!", and now we cannot anymore. Oh wait, Fring's decision to "withdraw support for video calls over Skype on iOS 4" is what's "damaging your brand and reputation"?? That's quite funny, because actually this would damage FRING'S BRAND AND REPUTATION, since they did that, not Skype.
You sirs, are absolute morons. Instead of letting competition flow, you'll perish under your idiot decisions.
Bye bye Skype. >:(
annalivia02 commented Friday, Jul 16
wow. over 200 enraged comments on this thread alone, and "nothing" is response from Skype? I guess that says it all.
I loaded Nimbuzz two days ago. It worked flawlessly for 24 hours. Now it will not connect...and Im seeing increasing reports from other people of the same problem. I know that asking here is pointless but I have to try. Skype, did you block them too?
Anyone have a Nimbuzz that is working with Skype??
lwtchan commented Friday, Jul 16
After Skype being bought, I'd expect the company becomes more $$$ oriented.
Where is the Skype client for Android?
The whole unfriendly act from what I see is to hinder a "competitor" who can do faster and better than Skype.
If you are stepping away from innovation, you are stepping into your own tomb.
sukhadkeshkamat commented Friday, Jul 16
How arrogant and rude of skype! You dont support the most popular mobile clients around... neither Android nor Windows Mobile, and block companies that step into the customer-service vacuum that you leave behind? ...With such ridiculous and frivolous excuses???
I have used skype loyally for over 5 years now, but with this callousness overnight, you have converted me from a loyal user to an outraged one! Shame on you!
alexbruceatwork commented Friday, Jul 16
Skype send out a Legal VP to talk PR instead of marketing folk - Looks like Skype's turned evil. I'm sorry I buy the skype side of the story as much as I did the Iphone4 antenna algorithm bs.
Good luck in your new future!
wilsonhlacerda commented Friday, Jul 16
VIDEO OPTIONS (videocalls or chat+video)
For all Skype abandoned mobile users I'm listing all video mobile apps I know. Maybe helpful.
Can do bidirectional video (video+voice or video+chat):
- Fring
- TiVi
- OctroTalk
- Damaka
- VZOchat
- iFon
- ImiChat
- SXmobi UM
Partially support already and say that will fully support in near feature:
- Barablu (already have unidirectional video)
- Flaphone (bidirectional video, but only present on desktops now. But as soon as Adobe release Flash Player v10 for mobiles it'll be available next day)
Some of those are already present on desktops and/or mobiles, but on a strong way yet. But this can change in almost no time, for instance by Flaphone that is a frog now but can be a prince as soon as Adobe kiss it.
Hope this help you all.
ursus.est commented Friday, Jul 16
Well, it might be damaging your brand, but since I don't have another way to use Skype on my phone I'll most certainly switch to another VOIP application. That means no more Skype Credit from me (and the other Fring users) anymore. That damages your wallet and I believe that that is even worse than brand damage.
Even if you release an Android app soon I don't know if I'll switch back, I have all the messaging programs plus the Skype service in the same app.
fredex2 commented Friday, Jul 16
What's now? Simply ignore the users?
Are you guys waiting to see if the comments can reach 1000?
Is this a serious company?
Why we don't have response or the releases that you guys say?
annalivia02 commented Friday, Jul 16
Skype has blocked all third party applications that I have tried (or they've blocked me!). Ive tried Nimbuzz, Truphone, ringfree, and IM+. Not ONE connects a Skype call. Anyone know of one that actually works?
cfkjpk47 commented Friday, Jul 16
My question to skype is, if you say that this is damaging to your brand and reputation why dont you develop your own video calling features for your smartphone apps, this is the reason why many people flocked to apps like fring because they offered live video calling from your smartphone, your mobile app does not support this and it is a major issue.
skypejpc1 commented Friday, Jul 16
Yep the posts above say it all:
1/ Screw your users - not only the free-riders but those using your paid services such as Skype Out - all due to Skype's inability to develop the product according to your customer's needs. Good recipe for bankruptcy.
2/ Drop Windows Mobile and blame the platform instead of your software! Sounds like toddler tantrums. Second good recipe for bankruptcy.
We have 2 accounts with you but now it's time to say bye bye Skype. You can sit on your money pot and see it drain 'cause you ain't getting a cent more from me. Many other users making the same decision too by the look of things.
HELLO FRING AND OTHER VOIP COMPANIES - Here's a vacant customer coming!
chudo1001 commented Friday, Jul 16
Skype needs to be government regulated. They have gotten too arrogant and ignore and harm the interest of their customers when ever they please. If this was a company based in the US they would have consumer complaints up the wazooo
a1astudio commented Saturday, Jul 17
INSIDE INFORMATION .... SKYPE has decided they are way too big and want to reduce their size significantly. So all the complaining is good news...Figure about 1000 patrons dropping them per complaint on this blog. They are hoping someone else will takeover their domination of the voip industry. Anyway, that is my take on their stupidity.
smwajih commented Saturday, Jul 17
nobody will goto any third party software if skype release their own software that will support ios4 for iphone and others.
alexts4 commented Saturday, Jul 17
Fring allow to make voice and video calls using a lot of providers like skype or gmail - but Skype is not allow video and voice calls onto a lot of mobile devices.
- Skype did broke fring feature - people will use now another provider GTalk or something else. Skype did broke fring support why Skype did not made support of mobile devices voice/video calls before ? Very very bad news from skype.
jaburns commented Saturday, Jul 17
I have been a paying customer for 5 years and actually feel priviledged to be able to use Skype on my N900 but I won't be using it when current subscription runs out.
Used Fring on previous phones as there was video capabilities and no Skype application at the time. This latest move by Skype shows how lacking in imagination they really are: slow development and fast bucks!!
Time to move on.
pressthat commented Saturday, Jul 17
The only thing I can say right now is:
F*ck u skype...
Really, how can ANYONE have such a lack of marketing vision...
shadowvlican commented Saturday, Jul 17
i mirror many of the comments here... fring was not damaging to your reputation, you damage it yourself. fring's iphone application is completely superior to yours, instead of shutting them out, maybe you ought to learn from them
btw: i'm not paying for your 3G subscription calling, i'll find alternatives
hennyjoosten commented Saturday, Jul 17
And on this moment no way to use skype on my i5700 andriod! If skype was avalable for my mobile I did not have to use Fring. So, there's something to say to two compagnies I think. The Skype survey I filled in today gives me some hope Skype will come with an alternative!
Kind regards,
H. Joosten
Eindhoven NL
johnson.raymonde commented Saturday, Jul 17
If this is all Fring's fault, then why did Nimbuzz get dropped, too? I never had the slightest problem with call quality on Nimbuzz. The only disappointing thing now is that I lost the best option I had to call my family while I'm deployed overseas. Thanks a lot.
benandex2 commented Saturday, Jul 17
I am deeply disappointed in Skype by its unwillingness to work cooperativly with fring to resolve the issue. fring has introduced a lot of innovative featueres, which Skype can not support yet. It was the perfect addition to Sykpe. Now let's see how long Skype needs to introduce push service and video calling support for the iphone. Serveral years seem realistic to do it the leagal way.
xx.laptop.xx commented Sunday, Jul 18
why can't fring and skype try to reach an amicable resolution by turning the videocall off, as this seems to be the biggest problem, and carry on with the service as before? fring was the best, there is nobody that can offer an app as good as fring. nimbuzz is trying to be the new fring but it will never get there, with skype and facebook allways disconnecting, it doesn't have a auto=reconnect between wi-fi and 3g, etc, etc, etc...
please skype and fring do something...
angelomarchetto commented Sunday, Jul 18
always the best its coperation from both sides, but if is not posible skype need to develop a software or application for other divices, like android on sprint ....
wilsonhlacerda commented Sunday, Jul 18
Just forget Skype. Fring does not support it anymore. Nimbuzz either. Fring probably will now put all their efforts to release a MSN and/or Gtalk and/or SIP voice+video version. And then Skype is dead on mobile world. And a few months latter also on desktop world due to this. RIP.
stephensmith commented Sunday, Jul 18
FU Skype. Can't remember how long I've been a subscriber but I'm gonna find another VOIP solution.
hajekorth commented Sunday, Jul 18
Just another customer expressing utter disappointment with skype service. Stuck in Europe without ability to make calls I already paid for. You should have had the decency to release an app before disconnecting the only possible work-around.
omer.butt1 commented Sunday, Jul 18
Hey Fring is doing gud job ...Why you blocked it...He is giving video call option...U are damaging ur brand .....you still not provide video call on skype ....And he launched video call option....If you really want to stop your damaging reputation then launched video call option as like fring on your skype software...you are very lazy....
omer.butt1 commented Sunday, Jul 18
This is very very very bad decision ......We need video call option on mobile ....fring was doing very good....u did wrong..shame on you....you dunt know about the customer needs.....If someone is doing gud or becuming famous ..u could not bear it...dats the problem...
deltarenfold commented Sunday, Jul 18
I'm extremely disappointed with skype, and not only this current issue but other business decisions from Skype as well. I supported skype as a customer for years because I loved the product and because I loved the community. But now after taking so much away, and eliminating some of skype's best features, and extremely unsatisfactory customer service, horrible business decisions. There's not much to love about skype any longer.
bryansttan commented Monday, Jul 19
I bought an Android here in Singapore. I used Fring to get Skype and registered and bought call time on Skype for phone-to-phone calls. I used it quite well overseas and now Fring is out. Can I get my money back Skype?
no.name.0000 commented Monday, Jul 19
What a bunch of ingrates! Has everyone lost site of the fact that Skype is a FREE application, and provides FREE communication as well as some of the best land line calling rates around the world? Please explain to me why any of you feel entitled to demand anything from Skype?
Clearly there are issues and some very strong feelings about the situation with Verizon and being able to access a fully functional Android application that supports WIFI and is not hobbled in any way. Clearly Skype need be made aware of how we all feel about it. Making demands and slinging insults is just not acceptable. I for one think that the people at Skype deserve a lot of credit for what they have built over the last 10 years or so. Most of you don't even realize how significant Skype has been in changing how, to whom, and how little we now pay to communicate around the WORLD!!! Please keep this in mind before you continue to sling arrows.
That being said. Skype, please take note that there is great discontent and concern over that fact that there was at one point a completely functional (albeit Beta) version for Android that has since been replaced by a Verizon only version that deliberately disables WIFI capabilities and is significantly hobbled over other mobile versions such that is available for the IPhone\iTouch\iPad. What appears to be an exclusive deal with Verizon with regard to the Android version of the application is very concerning to say the least. It is encouraging to hear that there will be a direct to consumer version of the Android application in the near future. It is also exciting to hear that it may include video call capability as well. For many of us the video call capability would be a nice to have but not yet a necessity. If at all possible a version for Android that just has the full functionality of the iPhone\iTouch\iPad application would be more then welcome at this time. Thank you!
For those interested the following link provides information about the forthcoming Android Skype application:
http://skattertech.com/2010/05/skype-mobile-coming-to-sprint-htc-evo-4g/
victsm commented Monday, Jul 19
You keep talking about ensure the quality of service that customers can get through Skype. However, currently, besides Verizon customers, others cannot even use Skype on Android system. If you do care about your customers, you really should make your official Skype software for Android publicly available to all the customers. That is the quality of service we as customers of Skype should get, and something you who care your reputation really should work on.
tropper_ commented Monday, Jul 19
I was very disappointed with Skype regarding the Fring case...
I'm both a user of Fring on my Android and Skype on my computers,
since today i'm gonna ban skype and prevent use of skype at my company until skype returns the previous state...
BTW - I've just discovered the wonders of Google Talk! and combined with the Android it's a really powerful tool...so I'm not sure I'll ever come back to skype
hennyjoosten commented Monday, Jul 19
Today I also posted this comment to the Fring Blog:
I could not use Skype on my android. Also Nimbuzz have a problem with the voice on my Samsung i5700. So, Fring did work well on my phone and I did use it with pleasure. And now, there’s nothing left. Skype does not listen to there customers and does not provide there service on new mobile phones in Europe like the Android phone I have.
I’m pleased with Skype on my computer but very very disapointed in they way it lead to this bad result. Fring did a very good job and they did give me good customer support when I asked them something. I regred the outcome between to compagnies very much. Good luck Fring!
Henny Joosten
Eindhoven NL
gd-jac commented Monday, Jul 19
@ no.name.0000 commented Monday, Jul 19
When you state
QUOTE
What a bunch of ingrates! Has everyone lost site of the fact that Skype is a FREE application, and provides FREE communication as well as some of the best land line calling rates around the world? Please explain to me why any of you feel entitled to demand anything from Skype?
ENDQUOTE
I am not going to enter in the merit of this thread – who is right or wrong – as I do not use Fring however I take exception to what you state.
It is maybe a free application but Skype makes money out of it in the form of land line and mobile rates, SkypeOut subscription plans as well as SkypeIn.
I DO pay Skype every year for two numbers and every month for my phone calls… So FREE communication as far as I am concerned it is not. Competitive certainly but free NO.
cuyo1829 commented Monday, Jul 19
I don't see this as Smart move I have being using fring to spend my Skype out credit because in my country you don't support internet calls over 3G network for symbian version. I'm not a huge Mega. Corp. but I'm really disappointed that fring guys are better developers than you and I'm not talking about the IOS4 video call feature I'm talking that I have been using fring since last year without receiving a new version of skype for symbian. At least tell us that you are working on better options than fring because you have stuff that fring doesn't, like the conference chat over fring I'm unable to chat in a conference room but I can with you guys. Please at least give us new options. Be better to earn the right of say "why install fring, Install Skype as it is a lot better" Earn It
norbertayer commented Monday, Jul 19
Skype is damaging its brand without any assistance from Fring and it is hard to believe Skype's statement.. When do we get Skype for Android? When do we get an answer to our questions? Why to have a blog if we are not heard? I liked Skype when it started, now it looks just as making money and even not in a clever way. You could make much more money and simply be nice.
ingesondr commented Monday, Jul 19
Skype doesn't need anyone/anything to ruin it's own reputation. Fring works well and so did Skype within it. Automatic change from WiFi to Internet connection, not too much battery usage (almost 2 days with my N97 Nokia and a normal use), good speech quality...
While Skype is totally unable to switch between connections and drains my battery (I installed Skype 8 hours ago and the batteries are already less than half charged... Skype will simply become my last choice when a Voip is needed.
skilng commented Monday, Jul 19
I have the android nexus one... and I will be using it in europe on WIFI very soon... no SIM in my nexus one. What will I be doing to place my VOIP calls??? Apparently Skype is doing shady deals, dragging its feet, and for whatever reason not releasing a full android app. I had full wifi Skype on my (closed software) iPhone 2 YEARS AGO. They can claim they want an "acceptable" application ready, but WE ALL KNOW a simple app w/o video, working over wifi, is a JOKE to write, and thousands of us need it. I will be cancelling my account and finding an honest VOIP company if this is not worked out before I land in europe in TWO WEEKS. Skype: stop taking short money kickbacks to give companies monopolies.... you make your real money when people USE SKYPE you idiots... and furthermore when you KEEP your customers and grow the customer base. Stop your lies and release the apps, or perish.
Can anyone suggest an android VOIP service to make calls to US based phone numbers?
rigaferaioy47 commented Monday, Jul 19
Fring using skype was the only reason i bought myself a smartphone (nokia 5800) for me and my girlfriend,.This way we were able to video call our families that live in seperate countries than where we live and work. Now Skype is forbiding me from seeing my family.. I had been using skype since launch.. Guess what... Will never use skype until you either offer videocalling for symbian or support fring..Google talk and MSN i am sure they will take advantage of this gap.
ipeh12 commented Monday, Jul 19
people! we can still use video call from our handsets via fring to fring. They still support video call.
Me and my girl is still using it now. The only limitation is pc to mobile phones.
oshawapilot-mobile commented Tuesday, Jul 20
The consensus is clear - Skype, you're in the wrong, and you've managed to once again piss off a vast portion of your user base.
Bravo. You suck.
Get your act together and get your iOS4 backgrounding version out to begin with, and then implement video calling functionality ASAP. Your delays and foot dragging on this are laughable. The whole Fring debacle is the cherry on top.
peterparkes commented Tuesday, Jul 20
@tsiguel @michael.nr.burrows @annalivia02 @alexbruceatwork @fredex2 I can assure you that we read every single comment posted here – where we have something constructive to say, we do so.
edmilson.fortes.de.carvalho commented Tuesday, Jul 20
I am very disappointed with Skype and Fring. No matter what are their business issues, once allowed the use of Skype via Fring, and its consequent updgrade in the infrastructure as well as in the service quality, any interruption from my point of view (consumer) is inexcusable. I hope both parties have learned with this situation, because definitively I learned to not be dependent on an unique VOIP service.
markallisonwork commented Tuesday, Jul 20
Forget Android and iOS what about WM users no skype client is currently available and skype dont support WM 6.5 anymore? I have used skype and fring in different forms and on different devices for years. This is very disappointing forget video calling any functionality is appreciated to your users. This is more damaging than any slightly dodgy video services! You will just subscribers to Yahoo and Palringo etc even bloody MSN!!!
eimimitu commented Tuesday, Jul 20
So check it out people... I have an HTC EVO... found the apk file for skype mobile searching online, downloaded and installed it... 10 minutes later I uninstalled it... it does not at this time do any live video chat like fring does... this is the same version that's on some verizon phones currently... so even if they released it to everyone today you'd still be disappointed... TRUST! This delay in releasing it, better be because they are working on video chat... If so hurry the "F" up...
inxsible.com commented Tuesday, Jul 20
Skype subscription canceled.
Renewing until Skype develops a stable mobile app (Nokia 5800).
In the meantime: Fring/Betamax VOIP
dpause10 commented Tuesday, Jul 20
What a ridiculous move by skype. Very disappointed longterm customer. I will probably cancel my subscription very soon.
neven.s commented Wednesday, Jul 21
I am disappointed big time.
I think skype and fring should work out the deal or both of you will lose.
leonardo.lamanna commented Wednesday, Jul 21
Skype: Dont fool your customers anymore,- Everyone knows that this happens simply because they were beginning to escape from your hands and began to complicate the possibility that represent money in your pockets.
This only serves to show how inefficient is the Skype team to evolve and provide more and better opportunities for their clients.
So, that is why I have MORE THAN ONE YEAR hoping that Skype enable SkypeIn service in Argentina .. after receiving a "very soon" response: something that ever happened and why I'm still waiting!
(May be 2 or 3 years of waiting, is a reasonable time for the people of Skype!?)
ollie__ford commented Wednesday, Jul 21
Damaging your brand?
More like doing you a bloody favour.
Sort out your own iOS app (ie. add video), and create apps for other platforms before you accuse other people of damaging your brand.
Never heard something so ridiculous.
timmins1977 commented Wednesday, Jul 21
Another one here for Skype video chat on Android. It's absence is alarming, and leaves the market wide open for rivals.
jaket85 commented Wednesday, Jul 21
Skype, I am all for it if you come out with your own video chat app for android, but if not let fring have their rights back. I am way happier and understanding having the service nad knowing it can go down from time to time rather than not having it at all one day. That is the type of situation that creates an unhappy customer. If there's an interruption in service due to almost 2 million new devices accessing the service in a single day I can understand and won't be dissatisfied with Fring or you guys for that. Just get us video chat back. Thanks
jules16v commented Wednesday, Jul 21
@peterparkes
We appreciate you "reading every single comment", really, we do.
However, if all that you have written in this blog (in the light of nearly 300 angry posts of many /paying/ customers, such as myself) was as good as your proclaimed effort of "saying something constructive" gets, Skype seems to either be clinically dead or just indirectly saying that you don't care... which tells everyone all they need to know.
rickoneeleven commented Wednesday, Jul 21
i've just bought a skype landline number presuming i could use my android G1 handset to pick up the calls, what a waste of cash. very disappointed customer.
zvonkomatovski commented Wednesday, Jul 21
Skype brand damage has been entirely self inflicted in my opinion. Charging only iPhone users for the privilege of using the 3G data they've already paid for? How much damage do you think that did to your brand? Irreparable damage as far as I'm concerned.
news10chrisessex commented Thursday, Jul 22
Skype..come on, please! We need video chat on the iPhone 4!
fringtony commented Thursday, Jul 22
A competitor gave us video chat on the iphone 4 so we all know its possible, then you banned that competitor because they beat you to it?!?! Yet you update your app without a feature that everyone wants??!?!
WOW better get the suits back to the conference room and figure out what you're doing wrong, your customers feedback might be a good place to start. WAKE UP
nightbreakeres commented Thursday, Jul 22
I'm a Skype user and a Fring user in Symbian and Android and I'm dissapointed with Skype. We need make videocall and other things that Skype don't offer us directly with Skype official mobile client. I have been recomending Skype, to use with and without Fring, but now...
Please, listen to users and change your policy, readmittance to Fring.
A dissapointed user.
coreywagehoft commented Thursday, Jul 22
I am extremely disapointed with the fact that Skype does not support video chat with newest version that was just released today. Fring was supporting it but now you block it? This was a really poor business decision. I honestly will end up leaving skype for whatever competitor gets a video chat platform first on iOS 4.
Seriously Skype get your act together or you will lose users to a competitor that does allow that feature.
christian.margary commented Thursday, Jul 22
Wow finally multitasking because I was starting to not use it and many friends use fring now. i just love skype really because I use more the voip than the skype to skype but sometimes I want to videocall and that's where skype are failing and knowing how fast you do things I guess we have to wait to another year or just praying another more than decent voip in the ios device.
lorenzo.aliani commented Thursday, Jul 22
What are waiting skype for distributor a release for android and iphone ?
only angry people
peterparkes commented Thursday, Jul 22
@zvonkomatovski we no longer have plans to charge a supplement to make calls over 3G on the iPhone.
robles.lloyd commented Thursday, Jul 22
To: Robert Miller.
I have used Skype for a long time now
and personally can tell that skype has take good care of me.
by replying to my emails etc...
That been said, i think you can trust me by saying that we (skype users) are
waiting to have a way to use skype with our smartphones (Sprint is my carrier and won't change to verizon's) in a movil way
i hope fring, skype, or a new co could bring this service back to us all.
max.geron commented Thursday, Jul 22
Mr. Miller,
Skype is hurting it's own image by failing to meet customers needs.
stu_nz commented Friday, Jul 23
Really disappointed in skype.. not fring.
I am on android not iphone for a start but yet its all gone from Fring.
The only ones damaging your reputation are yourselves, everyone knows its all about $$ and that they did a better job that you did.
I am now looking for alternatives to skype like many others I know..
Hope you reconsider
euklidis commented Friday, Jul 23
You are stupid or something... You support nothing... we are still waiting for an android app, AND a decent linux app. The only thing you do is licking steve's balls. Wake up, it is stupid that another company made a decent app for your network and you can't do the same thing. Pay some good programmers and do it. I suppose there are others who can take your place in the market too, i've tried a couple of those and they are good.. actually they have better quality in calls. Why should we stay in skype then? Give us apps for all the platforms, with video calls, with calls over 3G and thing are gonna be ok for both of us, Don't do it, and you will start loosing clients...
undergroundplanet commented Saturday, Jul 24
Having just got an Android I was completely excited about the chance to use Skype on my phone. First came here and realized that you didn't have a version for it yet, dug around and found out about Fling, literally just got done downloading and installing only to find out that it's recently been disabled.
What a disappointment. Though I do appreciate your position it seems to me that in good faith Skype would have at least allowed the functionality until it had its own working application. I do not think it was wise on any level to take these measures without offering a suitable replacement and I am sad that you do not see the value in this.
- Ray
undergroundplanet commented Saturday, Jul 24
So now after doing some more digging is it true that Skype has an exclusive deal with Verizon? As a Sprint user with an Evo, and might I add a paying customer of yours, I cannot fathom how (if true) you might believe that the vast amount of non-Verizon users would be willing to tolerate this.
I am more than willing to give up Skype and cancel my subscription if this proves to be true. Beyond that I would also be encouraging all those that I Skype with to do the same.
- Ray
matt.d.hall commented Saturday, Jul 24
Still no official response for skype on android....can you say PR disaster.
joemarinedotcom commented Sunday, Jul 25
Keep in mind they are a corporation and do not care about the customer. People may read this and think the comment is narrow minded. Is it? I think they get so caught up on the business side of maximising profit and going through the motions of understanding the customer that they miss it completely. The auto industry is a prime example. You have to think, what motivates their descisions? What the customer wants? What will best line my pockets with bonuses, that is the question!! It is all about self interest and it is more so today than 30 years ago. Understand the "y" generation. Through taking many classes at the university, it is obvious people just want to fill in blanks instead of understanding the real issues and it leads back to how can I make a buck. My bigger picture on the issues anyway. Fring worked great for skype!! I was in a bad signal area, my evo 4G, on 3G signal. My mom called me via skype and video/audio was outstanding!!!! Skype's downside!!! It was free.
leaverx commented Sunday, Jul 25
The only thing stopping me from getting a data plan is not being able to use it for skype (and hence still have to pay high calling rates). In NZ, the telcos charge exorbent amounts of money (~60c US per minute to a landline), and skype offered me a way out, though now I find I can't even use it on my phone...
Though, the part that bothers me the most, is we get hardly any comments from Skype, no PR releases, no blog updates, no tweets, nothing. They are just gonna keep us all in the cold, for all we know, they may have not even started the android project yet.
caticalopez20 commented Sunday, Jul 25
I don´t know about the brand and all of that, I just know when I was using fring I was able to use skype and call my family and friends....now, I downloaded the original "skype" for smart phones and it just sucks! it never works...I really hope fring can find another way but fring works a lot better than skype
floriantivari1 commented Sunday, Jul 25
you people of skype are just too jelous coz fring was being so much used coz of the video call ... everybody knew that skype inside fring like everyother program wasnt built completely from the original authors so whats the point of going away from fring because u would loose your reputation? you are just too fuc*ing cowards and jelous of fring popularity growing.... fuc* skype
ed.pogosov commented Monday, Jul 26
It seems that skype only cares about its Verizon customers and only supports them...it seems that they are telling the rest of us to buzz off.....time to start shopping for a service that does not discriminate....if anyone has any suggestions please post
jbarradas commented Monday, Jul 26
I can’t understand what’s happening with skype, I paid a couple year subscriptions for skype out and online numbers, first, I can’t use anymore skype for windows mobile because it was removed, the only option was fring, now, I can’t use skype in my devices with windows mobile and android, please think!, thousands of persons like me hate iphones!, really all the skype users in iphones pays skype services like me?, you never listen to your customers, NEVER!, I want to use all my skype services in WM and Android!, I’m a skype costumer!, I pay for all skype services! … then … I pay your salary! …. Is time to raise the voice!, LISTEN US!!!!!!!!!
vili-vilil commented Monday, Jul 26
I do not think that the blame is on fring but anyway aren't you going to make skype for android after all that??? I think that most of the users (like me) will be very disappointed from you if you don't release the app soon.
john.bauer commented Tuesday, Jul 27
You guys are forgetting that Skype is no longer owned by Ebay so they have to make money like everybody else That was probably the reason for the Verizon connection. I am afraid that Skype will fall by the wayside now that they don't have the large Ebay wallet to run their operation. I don't know who owns Fring but they sound like they will take over Skype soon.
gmutlu commented Wednesday, Jul 28
Please also count me on Fring's side. I would like to share the following again quoting from stu_nz:
Really disappointed in skype.. not fring.
I am on android not iphone for a start but yet its all gone from Fring.
The only ones damaging your reputation are yourselves, everyone knows its all about $$ and that they did a better job that you did.
I am now looking for alternatives to skype like many others I know..
Hope you reconsider
thusitharaj commented Thursday, Jul 29
To be frank with You ;.......we..........Really disappointed......we are now in a Dilemma! what to do.........? As a matte of fact...we extremity looking for a solutions from "Skype".
At the same time ; i requesting from my companion who are suffering with the same problem....kindly let me have a another full soft ware which can us by every mobile phone.......please make me a link if you found that" thusitharaj " in skype
azimi.reza commented Thursday, Jul 29
I am sorry to see that skype is dumping an innovative company like fring , I won't buy skype credit anymore and I won't use skype as well.
dcscripts commented Thursday, Jul 29
Fring on Skype was the only way that I could talk to my family in US while I was on business travel to Europe. Without Fring, skype is useless. I uninstalled skype and that's that.
Skype team, you should realize the deal you made w/ Verizon will be your downfall. Those smart marketing folks over at Verizon know they'ver crippled your software. IT is completely useless piece of shit.
odnw_steve commented Thursday, Jul 29
Just bought a Samsung Galaxy S.
The only thing missing for me is Skype.
Have you really been stitched up with some US deal with Verizon?
Sort it out.
Do it.
Do it now !
ppechacek1 commented Friday, Jul 30
Hi Skype team. Thank you very much for blocking of Fring application. I am using UIQ3 platform at my SE P1i mobile phone.
Only FRING prepared funcional software for mobile comunication incl. Skype for UIQ3.
Now it is not running.
For me it is Blah Blah sentence about terms etc. if no funcion compensation from your company.
It looks like typical business "standards" in my country during socialist and communist area.
I hope that your team prepare application for all previous mobile phones where Skype was running via Fring.
Please don´t start to be like politics from communist area twenty years ago!
hinuk_mattila commented Friday, Jul 30
can you tell me how i can use skype on samsung omnia hd fing was only software that supported normal or vodeocalls on skype. now skype does not work on my phone and nimbuzz does not support calls and fing does not hawe skype anymore thanks a lot so only think i can say now is KIITOS IHAN VITUSTI PERKELEEN KUSIPÄÄ PELLET you goys can use google translate for those compliments and pay a little more money to your employees to make skype work for samsung s60 phones, fring can do it so you goys can too.
gophergun commented Saturday, Jul 31
Screw you. You say you're protecting your "brand and reputation," but the apps you've released are even worse than the third-party apps on Android, and a lot slower to come about. Frankly, I don't think we even really want you on Android. Just don't cripple other applications that ACTUALLY WORK.
marcello_fini commented Saturday, Jul 31
This is totally ridiculous.
You should strive to provide a superior service and not kill competition just because you currently are in a position to do so.
I would be curious to see what you would say should Apple ban you from the AppStore due to overlaps with FaceTime... sure they could rightfully claim you provide a substandard product/service! Would it be fair?
*** LET CONSUMERS DECIDE ***
eurointermedia commented Saturday, Jul 31
I'm very disappointed in skype, Fring was the only application for Android to be in touch with people in skype, so now, me and my colleagues is going to use Google Talk. skype's cupidity will destroy it's business , because a lot of users are already sick and tired first of awful call rates, and now blocking mobile applications
mpparsley commented Saturday, Jul 31
I used to make Skype Out calls with Fring on my Nokia as it integrates all my other IM apps.
Since it is no longer possible to do that, there's no more use in paying for the Skype service.
I'll use some other SIP/Voip solution, sorry..
gunnarwb commented Saturday, Jul 31
I don't care how they use your APIs, they managed to make it so video calls worked using an iPhone4, you guys can't seem to figure this out. It sounds to me like you guys are complaining that someone else got to it first. Fix your app so it supports video on the iPhone 4 and I won't need fring. I can't believe you called in the legal sharks on this, its very disappointing.
agamemnot commented Saturday, Jul 31
I did a google search trying to find a way to set up videocalling on my Evo and came across this forum.
As a paying skype user on my Mac and PC I have to say that if *any* of the things that I'm reading here are true that I can't fathom what Fring could have been doing to damage your brand and reputation that could possibly be worse that what you've done yourselves.
I hope that you've got a pretty slick ace up your sleeve to justify your lack of a response here.If not, you may consider the termination of whatever brilliant mind came up with the idea to sever ties with Fring. I'm starting to realize that you two had the makings of a monopoly on the Net-to-Landline Smartphone Business for the new generation of Smartphones. I can't believe that the void caused by dissolving that partnerships will be left unfilled for long.
sander_gorelik commented Sunday, Aug 1
Just a small comment.
I found Fring when I was looking for a Skype client, supporting Video chat. I only used Fring to have a Videlo call via Skype. It's your call now.
robbertmorgan commented Sunday, Aug 1
I can summarize my opinion with my clear impression that either Skype hates android/is terrified by Google dominating them or that they fail in hiring capable programming staff.
Skype can stay in bed with Jobs while Google will make sure they can stay in bed...
Can't wait till both parties suffocate in their hypocritical arrogance.
Thanks to both for two nice concepts but it's definitely time for Google to rule and pull that thick velours carpet from under your big heads.
skipepipeline commented Sunday, Aug 1
Skype please remember without Fring people in certain countries which Block skype and all voip have no way to access skype .Fring let them access skype to communicate with their loved ones as the alternative is too expensive.
Fring helped alot of people to use skype.
However to all of you who use Fring, I am sure they will find an alternative to skype soon .
mattiagabetti commented Monday, Aug 2
Good morning,
I hope that you understand that is a BIG MISTAKE!!!
In this moment don't support ANDROID take off the people to change abitude.
I can't speak with my friends throut SKYPE? Ok, I will use MSN... Google talk..!
My friends, my collegues, my customers, they can follow me from the PC to my phone DROID.
Some people continued using SKYPE, because was FRING on DROID... Today??
Maybe they'll change their abitude...
...ah!!! NIMBUZZ on droid support SKYPE....
The worst service that I never hear.... great for you!!!
Have a nice day... and good luck!
snudendk commented Monday, Aug 2
There is NO WAY I will use Skype from my PC and Fring adressed my needs to stay online from a 'lightweight' client.
I'll give it 30 days, then my Skype subscription is history...
wilsonhlacerda commented Monday, Aug 2
VIDEO on ANDROID? Now you CAN!
http :// code. google. com/p/imsdroid/
(strip spaces to open link)
originalcountryman commented Tuesday, Aug 3
I do not know the technical side of things but I cant see why Skype have removed themselves from Fring - I have been using Skype for a very long time and I have just started to use Fring less than two months ago. i will continue to use Fring until a point where Skype have the Video-calling facility on mobile phones such as Fring. I still think that Skype have the best quality of voice -calling but Fring has been a lot more user friendly in my opinion. I used to make 50 + Skype calls a month when on Fring but since they have removed themselves from the latter I am sorry to say that I hardly use Skype at all now.
basexperience commented Wednesday, Aug 4
Frankly, this response only raises more questions than it answers. Rather than resort to the usual frothing at the mouth here, I'd like to take the opportunity to add some items to this blog post.
The response contains limited explanations. You've cut off a valuable software resource which a lot of people were using on emergent mobile platform technologies which you simply don't support well yourselves. Your response here gives me the impression that "smart" mobiles simply don't figure in your business plan, and Fring simply beat you to the mark with so many platforms and modes supported. Which makes it look like you're trying to put them out of business (your glib "user experience" comment does not help this at all).
You need to reconsider this decision, or sack your PR guy and hire another who comes up with better explanations. Or tell us the whole story. This one simply isn't good enough.
cwlea001 commented Thursday, Aug 5
I guess I'll cancel Skype and switch to Truphone for my Nexus One.
jag_sandhu commented Thursday, Aug 5
I think I may well also cancel Skype. I need a be to able to make world calls now. And just when I was about to start using Skype seriously..
richard.mikael commented Thursday, Aug 5
Skype: what's holding me back from purchasing more of your services is that skype does not fully develop it's products. The skype app for iPhone could be much more powerful, I downloaded fring so I could make sure it worked with skype so my android owning friend could chat with us on his phone and now I find because of some stupid argument over fring canceling a service you don't even provide in the first place you have stopped allowing them to use your API. You need an android solution asap and you need mobile to mobile video chats.
spikebamboo commented Thursday, Aug 5
I work in Asia as network security analyst and a lead network consultant to several large corporations. I spend 60% of my time now pushing packets in China. Chinese investment money is flowing like beer at the Oktoberfest and I have quite bit of knowledge regarding VoIP. The companies talk to me.
Skype? "Find a need and fill it": The ONLY code for business. Resting on last year's payoffs are going to get you killed business wise.
Skype has now become so slow at pulling up their socks, (and kissing too much USA phone service butt) it has forgotten that there are still shoes left to be filled. Skype has forgotten the players that put them there in the first place. (For me, I've been with Skype since 2003, and I am now extremely tired of the direction so poorly managed by "Silver Lake Partners".
It's time for competition, and the Chinese are stepping up to it. They want to put Skype out of business. Period.
Now. Remember the name "Xiasha", China, it's a large city based purely on IT research just outside of Shanghai. The amount of research (and money) going into VoIP right now is phenomenal. iPhone, Google Android, MS Windows, all MAJOR players in the strategy, not the butt of the joke that Skype has placed them in.
Forbes Magazine recently reported that 16% of all people making over $30K a year worldwide are considering purchasing a new smartphone within the next 5 months. Hello, Skype? The WORLD IS CALLIING! Where are you?
Oh well, never mind. Get ready people at Skype, you have finally blown it for yourselves so bad that you're done. Yes. History will be kind, but the current iPhone and Android using public won't be.
Can anybody say, "BetaMax" ten times real fast?
lenjen1386 commented Friday, Aug 6
There's a lot of angry rants about skype here. It only means that skype must improve their services in order to keep up with competition and keep customers happy. A service like this should be helping people communicate and transact with ease. It's not fair for paying customers to get crappy services.
aubron2 commented Friday, Aug 6
Well. If you are reading every blog comment, then I'll just say I'm disappointed. You could do better. Fring was proof of that, and regardless of your comments, makes me sure you somehow blocked them to hide that. I encourage you to prove me wrong. Please.
My expectations aren't high. I respect an application the more it updates.
scorpio6977 commented Saturday, Aug 7
I am not so tech savvy, but would like to be practical. To remove / discontinue something that is already working fine and receiving good response, praise from all customers is totally an insane act. We, as customers do not really interested in knowing who is right and who is wrong, just put it back working again and we continue to pay you or your advertisers pay you. Otherwise, the customers shall show our strength, why don't we start boycott skype for 6 months and then fring for 6 months in mass action and see if they would yield to us. Or else, just fuck them up forever! Ohh, if 6 months is not enough because they are dammmmnnned rich now, then increase to 12 months. Let's stop using now....... we are small user just like small water molecule in the ocean, but we can make tsunami and teach them don't underestimate the "user(s)". Don't understand which idiot resort to "lose-lose-lose" option for all users-skype-fring.
lia10011 commented Saturday, Aug 7
I Have an HTC Evo and now no way of using Skype. When I bouth this phone my firs and only question was, Can I use Skype? I was assured this was possible,just to find out later that Skype signed and exclusivity contract with Verizon. What was Skype thinking? For sure it was not thinking of Skype costumer’s needs. After seven years of being a loyal costumer, Skype is about to lose my business. Maybe there is another company that can keep up with the technological trend while keeping the costumers satisfied.
wacomalt commented Sunday, Aug 8
Ok, Skype. I have to say I am siding with you on one thing (and one thing only) fring was using your service against your agreements, and you let it go on (and seemingly never banned them). That is good. But it's not a secret that your company has horrible support and customer relations. And to be quite honest I have never been impressed with any of the mobile skype applications aside from the Windows Mobile version (full wifi calling, or 3G, without usign minutes) And none of them have ever even attempted to support video calls. You android App is a joke, and its pretty clear that you guys are content giving the lowest acceptable answer to customers requests. If you have to make it a pay feature I dont care. But to not offer it at all... what the heck?
Fring could do it, over your services, so obviously it's possible. To say that fring was damaging your brandname and customer relations is just BS. Even if only for a time, they offered what everyone has been expecting of you. I think it's safe to say that if the people in charge of fring ran your company, we'd at least have good software, and maybe some new features once in awhile. I know Fring sucks with support too, but at least they have the software to back it up.
In short, to repair the "damage" that Fring supposedly did to your brand name (though it was actually yourself) simply do the following.
Re-enable wifi calling on all platforms, enable 3g calling without using minutes. We pay these outrageous fees for unlimited data for a reason. And for gods sake just add video chat. Again it's obviously not that hard. Fring pulled it off relatively quick and it was pretty reliable. And they didn't even have access to your full systems.
Face it, you got beat. You were sad. And now that Fring messed up you're simply using that as an excuse to keep being mediocre.
I know this is all free services, so let me point out I dont expect anything, nor do I feel owed anything, but if you really care so much about your brand and your image, then prove it by doing something.
eparrotte commented Sunday, Aug 8
Mr. Skype sir - Verizons is not the only cell phone carrier out there. If you can write a Skype app for an android phone for verizon, you can write it for other carriers too. How about an app in the app store? Verizon and AT&T don't work where I live or work or travel, so it would be stupid for me to switch from Sprint to one of those carriers. I was able to video conference with my husband on our EVOs before Fring was disabled so I am sure a similar Skype app would not be a problem. I pay for Skype at home - my home phone is the original I-Phone (the one from Linksys - not apple) - with my husband's account. I would be more than willing to pay for Skype service as would many other people. Disappointed that we have to tether our phone to the laptop to use Skype. Would be much easier to have a Skype app on our phones since they have cameras anyway.
vivek.d commented Sunday, Aug 8
The true fact is "fring was too smart for Skype". Video Calls on my iphone2g were so awesome untill the skype destroyed it. X_X !!
"Fring’s mis-use of Skype software was damaging to our brand and reputation" - What an excuse to compete. Every customer above wants skype on fring, if thats not possible y dont u try to make an application that supports video chat on mobile handsets as low as iphone 2g n nokia 5230.
civraws commented Sunday, Aug 8
Being a long time skype client (I pay for the service) and Fring user, I feel really disapointed with Skype.
I've been waiting for a mobile Skype solution that was announced 2 or 3 years ago and never came, more over, we must see that there is a solution for Verizon users, but none for people living ouside the US like me.
On the other hand we have Fring, a new startup that became massivly famous because it was doing what skype decided not to do, bring solutions to voip clients.
The conclusion is plain simple. Skype was a really good during it's first years but now its like using a fax machine, its no use for most of us. I had to buy an Inmarsat satellite phone because skype doesnt provide me with a long announced mobile solution. Inmarsat is now receiveing the money Skype refused to accept from me and thousands of heavy-use clients worldwide.
Skype keep up the bad work, you will loose more and more clients. I dont really care now.
Thanks,
Jack
jassseljamaa commented Monday, Aug 9
I own a Nokia N95 8GB and I live far away from my family, to whom I used to make video calls with Fring. Does the offical app allow that? Of course not.
I am a paying customer and very disappointed.
reuvenic commented Monday, Aug 9
I can't believe this haven't been resolved yet.
To be honest, I don't at all care about this Fring-Skype conflict, but I bought my Skype credit when I knew I can use it on my HTC Desire using Fring.
For that matter, blocking out Fring (for what ever reason), without supplying a working alternative does in fact make my Skype credit unusable [for me].
Under these circumstances, and as I have to find an alternative and buy some competitor's credit - I'd like my money back please.
wdaccache commented Monday, Aug 9
I finally tried Nimbuzz with skype out and it worked well.
For all frustrated people like me use Nimbuzz and hope it never gets cut off!!!
georgepaulus commented Tuesday, Aug 10
The fact - I was using Fring perfectly well and you block it. I am very disappointed with Skype.
olexoliver commented Wednesday, Aug 11
Get it together folks at Skype and Fring! Now there is no way i can use the services i got already used to, on my new Galaxy S Droid. VERY disappointed!
apooddr commented Thursday, Aug 12
Why you block Fring when there is no alternative? I can only use fring to make skype video call on my cellphone. If you really want to block them, could you release a new skype that supports video call first? Thanks
allbritishman commented Friday, Aug 13
I can live with losing fring with skype on it, but please hurry up and make Skype for Android. Just upgraded from Nokia N97 mini which had native skype on + fring. Now im on HTC Desire, upgraded to Frogo 2.2 and no Skype Gutted!!!!!!!!
vasil166 commented Friday, Aug 13
Fring damaged your brand? Bullshit!
On my Nokia 5800 i can make VIDEO CALL with fring to skype
Why I can't make a video call using skype for symbian? Because you're too lazy to add this feature.....
alondr commented Friday, Aug 13
that just sucks
i have skypeout account for few years now with unlimited country support
which worked out just fine with fring via my nokia E65
which skype never bothered to release a compatible skype version for
now i have no way useing skype other then from home via my pc....
hiren.patel303 commented Saturday, Aug 14
I was using fring for skype voice and video calls, it was really good quality on wifi and 3g. now no skype on fring. I start to use skype mobile application but voice quality of this skype application is really very bad. So i stop to using skype. Now me, my friends and my family, we start to calling directly from fring user. So now we all have fring user account. Fring voice call and video call both are really very good. Sorry skype good bye.
mickythemook commented Sunday, Aug 15
Dear (oh dear) Skype,
you are SO wrong. When people use third party multifunctional apps they do so knowing that they are cobbled together for best fit, and have NO reflection on the originator AT ALL. Do you see Facebook spitting their dummy because the interface for FB notifications on fring is rubbish compared to their own....NO! If people believe your app is better they will use it, and guess what the hundreds of comments to the contrary should show you they don't. Most of us are telling you we like skype and would like to use it with fring, if we can't most people like me will simply continue to use fring with other providers. Your app is not updated often enough and doesn't offer the multiple protocols that fring does, why use a 100 individual apps when 1 will (generally) do.
For a cutting edge technology company your living in the past.
aistomin commented Sunday, Aug 15
Well, you're probably are right about everything. But here's the newsflash: we, your clients don't care if you are right or wrong. We want to use skype with video on our mobile phones. And Fring just did it. Nice and smooth. Amongst other nice features. So, I don't who is right and who is wrong. Fring did something that Skype did not and that was cool.
jason.t.powell commented Tuesday, Aug 17
I used Fring over wifi while in the middle east to Skype back home to my family in the states with Skype credits I payed for. I can't do that with Skype alone because the Skype only works in the US on Verizon on 3G for the Incredible!!! My Skype credits are USELESS now. I'll be using another real VOIP provider. Anyway I can get a refund on my remaining credit?
s.srinath_uk commented Wednesday, Aug 18
Common SKYPE you can absolutely and clearly see from all the columns, people see through SKYPE!! SKYPE only dissapoint more of it own customers & more talking about its brand!? what's the point a BRAND WITH DISSAPOINTED CUSTOMERS?
moustiq77 commented Wednesday, Aug 18
In your statement, you mentioned that they were violating user agreements. If that was true, why the hell did you allow it for so long? Such a lame excuse and then you put all the blame on Fring. You are too greedy and have this petty envy to Fring who actually managed to implement things on so many platforms where you failed to do so. Good job Skype at pissing off thousands of people.
shelly.rau commented Thursday, Aug 19
Perhaps if Skype made their software available and supportable for more phones (such as my Nokia 6120C) then people wouldn't have to result to using Fring. Skype is damaging their own brand, not Fring. Fring was and is a reliable service, not that I can say so in regards of Skype's mobile application - as I'm unable to use it.
Perhaps its time to listen to your customers and make a supportable, reliable application yourself - and take example from Fring on that account.
petro_cz commented Thursday, Aug 19
Hi Peter,
Fring is a program that works with the iPhone quickly, Skype is the original slow. Fring has the advantage that it allows multiple clients simultaneously ICQ, Skype, Google, SIP, etc.. Skype made a mistake, it's just vanity and envy. I hope you feel it's revenues, it makes you probably the only criterion.
wade.jennings1 commented Thursday, Aug 19
Hello Peter,
The issues you site are simply behind the scenes business complaints, and background noise to the average consumer. I personally would have zero knowledge of such a breach of your protocol or otherwise.
Point is; I've had Skype forever and NEVER used it unil Fring. You have essentially turned a mountain into a mole hill and lost thousands of new consumers to your product some of which hadn't even heard of your service prior.
It's a bummer, because instead of complaining and b****ing back and forth with one another, no matter who is causing the problem, it could've have been a great partnership with the potential of bringing new users to Skype.
Instead, you may have pissed off those consumers that think you are keeping your service away from them by removing it from Fring. No matter the reason...you hurt your own brand indirectly.
rbierings78 commented Thursday, Aug 19
Robert Miller, do you really believe this BS yourself ? Or does your puppetmaster @ Skype HQ just instruct you to come up with this crap ?
Fring worked like a charm and delivered what it's customers/users where asking for. So well that it made all those nitwits at Skype look bad.
Very bad.
They couldn't stand the embarresment any longer at Skype. While they were developing all sort of useless functionality noone gives a shit about (One click advertisment, Skype Extra's... come one cut the crap!) Fring was doing the exciting stuff.
And now they just pulled the plug.
I pulled the plug too, no more Skype credit. Ever.
hellasny1 commented Friday, Aug 20
Apparently Skype made a deal with the devil (in this case it's Verizon Wireless) and anyone or any app that upsets this balance will be dealt with decisively, whether customers like it or not. I pay for Skype (International) and I still have to deal with sound fading in and out during video calls but instead of fixing their technical issues and allowing their service to be available on all carriers, they now hide behind their legal mumbo jumbo to mask, again, their deal with the devil. I now plan to switch from Verizon Wireless, and hope that another, yet better app, comes along real soon to make Skype a thing of the past.
fivesboy commented Tuesday, Aug 24
At least Fring was providing a service that Skype itself was unprepared to do and now it seems that you've just pulled the rug from under their feet by hiding behind your API terms baloney. Skype as a company have disappointed me with your attitude towards Fring and I will be supporting any viable alternatives in the future.
michael_hovvang commented Wednesday, Aug 25
I can see that this discussion have been going on for a long time now and well I must say that I have started to look for alternatives to Skype now as I only want to use this for VOIP all my friends are on other medias anyway, so if there is no way that Skype is going to develop an application for android other then Verizons phones, well then I can take my business else were
pjelmoni commented Thursday, Aug 26
The users of both applications can't really know who's lying.
The only sure thing is that it's a silly war that will leave both hurted with less subscribers..
Best regards.
Paolo J.
johnbarrowhome commented Thursday, Aug 26
Well you talk of Fring damaging your reputation so stop people having to use Fring, please, please, please bring out Skype for Android, there are many people that are not interested in the the Hype that is iPood. Then you can repair and increase your reputation in one easy moment.
alexchau219 commented Friday, Aug 27
Skype is just trying to block its competitors and Fring, who is acting as a cooperator, has been great in incorporating Skype and it actually makes me like to use Skype. Skype's move is actually damaging its own brand, and the introduce of GMail Phone may even take me further out of Skype. I am completely disappointed about Skype's decision.
otto4242 commented Friday, Aug 27
The fact that months have gone by without mobile video support of any kind for iPhones just goes to show that Skype doesn't care about their users.
rafaelsanchezmejias commented Saturday, Aug 28
Very dissapointing ... I enjoyed using fring on my phone ... Maybe it is time to try another service ...
t.krynicki commented Monday, Aug 30
Shameless marketing bullshit - one reason in the end skype will die.
faizan011 commented Tuesday, Aug 31
the Skype app does not support video call.
and Skype do not have a app for android
i say to Skype to unblock fring
i know that Skype block fring
or Skype should make a app for android
guy8786 commented Tuesday, Aug 31
Here is the problem, skype. I travel to Europe alot. This is why I invested in you and have used you for the past few years. I would love to use the skype mobile app on my android device except that it doesn't allow me to use my wifi connection (seriously? come on), which basically the reason why i have skype in the first place. Now i cant even get fring to use my skype account to make calls over wifi. I am now forced into getting a SIPgate account. Please fix this. Stop corporate tooling around.
wade5k commented Wednesday, Sep 1
I'm still waiting on a skype on my webos phone. Skype can be doing WAAAAAAAYYYY better then they are doing if they just listen to this very group of people. Imagine how much more business skype would have if they bought video chat to Symbian webos ios bbos android and other popular platforms... even if they don't have a front facing camera. Maybe even oovoo Aim and Yahoo i.m. video chat support cross platform skype on ps3 with video support. The possibility's are really endless all you guys have to do is step it up
songhengkaing commented Saturday, Sep 4
I am waiting for skype mobile mobile for worldwide users not only for verizon customers in the US, can you do this soon as your promise? However, if you can't. why try to do something that really silly to block its own users by not allowing fring to do it for you? Know how silly Skype is... I will find alternative way to replace my skypeout solution. Maybe fring will come to replace it...
grangernillerz commented Sunday, Sep 5
Hey Skype! You know, as you guys grow, you are starting to sound more and more like the companies that do stupid things then lie to their customers because shady business practices seem to be more profitable than, I dunno, making a product that actually works!
Skype for Windows Mobile, for instance...
I have the HD2. Not only does a scrounged up copy of the old Windows Mobile version of Skype run flawlessly, but if you reflash the phone to Android and get one of the skype-lite betas that leaked, it also works flawlessly. How about you guys stop trying to control the market, I mean, that never works. Apple tries a lot, mind you, Apple isn't as succesful as a company who sells really shitty and bugged out software called Microsoft, are they?
Also, what the hell is with you and verizon being butt-buddies? I know some contracts got signed and partnerships made, but Verizon is a terrible company whose customers hate them. How come Skype doesnt work over WiFi on the Droid? Hell, now that I think about it why would Verizon want people to use their data network anyway when there is another solution to save them bandwidth?
Skype is quickly turning into one of those shit companies that fuck over consumers just because they can, just because you guys are the leader in VoIP doesn't mean you have to act like monopolistic pigs, how about showing the people that made you the leader in VoIP some fucking respect and stop attacking our technology?
veriyanta commented Monday, Sep 6
It's been few months since you said you will release alternative skype client for non-verizon users.
How's this progressed?
Android and BlackBerry Skype client please.
jenryonen commented Monday, Sep 6
whatever, close doors may friends...
3rd party apps are the best way to target excellent customers for free!
lol, you are so big i guess
ecpattison commented Friday, Sep 10
Oh, come on Skype
Can't you recognise negative feedback when you see it? We expect you and Fring to sort this out! We don't need all this corporate posturing. Fring is so much better on Symbian since it is a one stop app for voip, twitter and IM. If your guys can't program this stuff let the people who can have a share of the cake.
sidharth.saddi commented Friday, Sep 10
Its a shame that another company innovated and implemented a feature that skype could have themselves offered to their customer base.
You guys can take over the market of video calling/ conferencing - and all you need is Software supporting Apple OS and iOS, Microsoft OS, Android, Symbian and Linux. Call me ignorant, but somehow for a company with over USD700 Million in revenue and and 500 Million users I don't exactly see this as a big hurdle. Sounds to me more like bad corporate management, if anything.
keiran.edmunds commented Thursday, Sep 16
Get with the program skype and give us our open Android app, because if you don't, then watch Google come through and take out Skype with their own skype clone called "gaggle" that will be custom made for Android, yet also allow iphone, Nokia et al access with apps.
Your customer base will almost vanish overnight and within 18 months you will be a failed dotcom, do you not realise this?
Adapt, or die, this is the 21st century in communications. As for being too focused on the US and locking in mobile carriers...fine, do it, but the rest of the world still wants to use Skype when we can and without being locked into carriers, or non wifi access. Seriously though, what is the point of VOIP communication if you block skype access to wifi and force traffic through a carrier?
Did the muppet that thought up that bright idea get a promotion for the initial extra revenue that skype would gain, or did they get sent back tot the mail room for the significant damage to the Skype brand name?
benjaminslaptop commented Thursday, Oct 7
I'm one of the millions of Galaxy S owners out there, who used to be an avid Skype supported and adopter. Hey my uncle was even on prime time TV talking about skype in the early days because of my influence.
but skype has made some pretty poor decisions in the past, like not allowing two accounts to be paid for with by the same credit card, so husband and wife were no both able to have skype out accounts, but what really killed skype for me is no Android support for my Galaxy S.
I've switched over to google now, and I don't mind at all, it's not as pretty as skype, but it's not as much of a resource hog either.
It doesn't do video on my samsung, but I don't care, I does voice.
I used voice, secondarily, but mainly chat, who ever supplies me with an awesome reliable text chat experience gets my voice calls by default.
I have lots of skype credit, but it's just sitting idle now, not more looking at a subscription for me, I'm slowly converting my family, friends and business contacts to use google chat, because they can reliably contact me, 24/7.
Sorry skype, I really did like your product, but it's been way too little, too late.
I haven't even said if you are looking at fixing your new app for the galaxy s anytime soon.
dissapointed.
sidki.mohamed2 commented Thursday, Dec 30
I'm sure that the majority of people are using Fring] for Skype even if you are issued your app, there will be no problem ... But the fact that kill competition and after the show but nothing worse than that.
Skype today sad, very sad day