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Skype Throws Itself out of the Window
(01 Mar 2010, BWCS Staff)Communications software outfit Skype is to remove Skype Lite and Skype for Windows Phones applications from its offerings. According to the company, its Skype Lite service only actually works in a few countries. More importantly, however, the proprietary VOIP service supplier has withdrawn Skype apps from Windows Mobile operating systems.
The VOIP company has refused to confirm the decision, though online message boards are full of the story. In fact, according to one website, the story first broke on a user forum when one individual posted that Skype's own FAQ entry on Windows Mobile now said "Unfortunately, Skype Lite - a version of Skype for your mobile phone - and Skype for Windows Mobile are no longer available for download from our site. Our focus is on providing a rich user experience that allows you to enjoy free Skype-to-Skype and low cost calls as easily on the move as you do at your desktop. We felt that Skype Lite and Skype for Windows Mobile were not offering the best possible Skype experience."
Naturally, this lead to speculation that the system was being withdrawn from Windows and also to suggestions that Skype was favouring Google's Android operating system and the Apple iPhones over Windows.
In unofficial comments, also made on user forums, Skype executives have appeared to leave the door open for future collaboration with Windows - just not any time soon. One message from the Skype top brass read "It's been very difficult for us to make the experience consistent across a wide range of Windows devices. However, we have a partnership in place with China Unicom to deliver a new beta version to their Windows Mobile handsets - where we can work with mobile operators, we'll be able to deliver a Skype experience on the current Windows platform which lives up to expectations."
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