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Matthew Miller & Joel Evans
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Skype drops Windows Mobile and Skype Lite from its offerings

By | February 26, 2010, 6:59am PST

Summary: Skype recently pulled its Windows Mobile and Skype Lite versions from its website because it wants to offer its new customers an improved mobile experience. Even though the Windows Mobile version didn’t have the most beautiful UI, it got the job done.

I’ve been using Skype since its inception, and as a result have always installed it on whatever mobile device I have available. For this reason I was shocked to learn that Skype was pulling support for Windows Mobile. According to the company’s FAQ, the company has chosen to withdraw Skype Lite and Skype for Windows Mobile because it wants to “offer our new customers an improved mobile experience - much like the version that has proved so popular on the iPhone, and which is now available on Symbian phones.”

Skype goes on to say that the company’s focus is on providing a rich user experience that allows you to use Skype as easily “on the move as you do at your desktop.”

If you already have Skype for Windows Mobile or Skype Lite installed it should work throughout 2010 (no word on what will happen after that), but as of this writing you can no longer download either solution.

If you look at the company’s statement about providing an improved mobile experience, I couldn’t agree more. However, I found nothing wrong with the Windows Mobile version. Sure, it wasn’t as fancy as the iPhone one, but it worked well enough. For example, I had an IM session via Skype not too long ago on a Samsung BlackJack II, and at one point I escalated that IM session to a Skype call while also reading an e-mail and even launching a PDF. It wasn’t the most beautiful UI, but it got the job done, and did it well.

I’m sure they’ll make one for Windows Mobile 7 Series, since that’s going to provide a nicer UI, but Skype is now making a decision to completely alienate users of older Windows Mobile devices. I don’t think that’s the best business decision.

Have you used Skype on Windows Mobile or Skype Lite? Do you want to see Skype offer it again? If so, comment below. Perhaps if enough people band together on this one and ask Skype to still offer the Windows Mobile version but just not support it, the company will re-instate it.

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Topics

Microsoft Windows Mobile, Mobile, Skype Technologies S.A., Mobile Operating Systems, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Mobile Applications, Handhelds, Wireless And Mobility, Software, Hardware, Joel Evans

With more than a decade of mobile, Internet and wireless experience, Joel specializes in taking existing brands and technologies into the mobile and wireless space.

Disclosure

Joel Evans

Joel is a serial entrepreneur with his most recent business, CronkSoftware (cronksoftware.com), focusing on consulting and building games and applications for mobile devices. Joel has consulted for Microsoft’s Windows Mobile division and advises other companies on how to incorporate mobile into their existing brands and products. Joel purchases many of his devices and others are sent for review on a 30-day loaner basis and then returned to the supplier. If any devices are provided as “keeper” Joel will clearly disclose this in his reviews.

Biography

Joel Evans

With more than a decade of mobile, Internet and wireless experience, Joel specializes in taking existing brands, technologies and services into the mobile and wireless space. Joel is currently serving as the Managing Director of Cronk Software, Inc., a company he founded to offer full-service, end-to-end mobile strategy, design and development services.

Joel is the former founder and "Chief Geek" of Geek.com, a website praised by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and others as one of world's best sources of information for technology professionals and enthusiasts.

Joel also serves as a technology expert for a number of well-known publications and regularly advises corporations, analysts, journalists and bloggers on what the future of technology will bring. He brings decades of relationships with leading game publishers, online communities and publishers, along with both hardware and software product management and delivery expertise. Joel can be found online as "JoelGeek" and you can follow him on Twitter @JoelGeek.

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Does this work on Htc ?
webmasterdiolt@... Updated - 2nd Dec
Does this work with HTC touch diamond 6.1? No one version works with my mobile even beta. Please can some one tell me where i can download for WM 6.1?

Regards
http://www.diolt.com
View in thread
0 Votes
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Third-party apps
ganeshprasad.r@... 26th Feb 2010
Does that mean even third party apps like Fring
will not be able to connect to Skype?
0 Votes
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RE: Skype drops Windows Mobile and Skype Lite from its offerings
kevinsneel Updated - 26th Feb 2010
Yes, I have used it a few times in Italy, and it generally worked well enough for me. Even if they just keep the current version, I'd download it to newer phones.

But maybe they've been doing too much putting out of fires?

http://jkontherun.com/2010/02/25/skype-windows-mobile/
0 Votes
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Now they're down to 10 apps
Ron Bergundy 26th Feb 2010
so much for the future of WinBlobile!
0 Votes
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10 apps?
dxhunter@... 26th Feb 2010
I have always been able to find the applications I've needed for Win Mobile. There are even some, like WMWifiRouter, that aren't available on some newer platforms. There's no app for that!
0 Votes
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Your way is a short way.....
Nsaf 26th Feb 2010
Why can't people like you be unbiased...people have the right to choose and should be respected for their choice. Idiots like you (any ******** fan of anything) make me puke.
0 Votes
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@Linux All The Way
Pete "athynz" Athens 26th Feb 2010
Why is it only a few of you Linux people can do nothing more than post sheer idiocy? Go visit handango.com and count the number of WM apps... and that is only ONE source of WM apps.
0 Votes
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Only 10 apps? Looks like you need help counting, but don't worry
John Zern 26th Feb 2010
there's a Win Mobile app for that! happy
0 Votes
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RE: Skype drops Windows Mobile and Skype Lite from its offerings
flannery 26th Feb 2010
Version 3.0 is still available on ZDNET.
0 Votes
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RE: Skype drops Windows Mobile and Skype Lite from its offerings
rhall621 26th Feb 2010
alienation... now that's a rich experience!
0 Votes
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Skype for WM is working fine, don't drop it!
tomato85 26th Feb 2010
I too don't understand why would Skype do such thing, the
app is working really great. In fact I hoped that they
were developing it to support video calls, but I can live
without them, if they don't develop it then they should
at least leave it available as is.
0 Votes
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Microsoft would do well to acquire the service
adornoe@... 26th Feb 2010
If I'm not mistaken, eBay was looking to unload the service into a whole separate company via a stock offering.

Microsoft would do well to acquire and improve the service. With WindowsPhone 7 coming up, Skype would be an ideal app for the new mobile OS. And, Skype through MS would give the giant a good competitor to YouTube.
0 Votes
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M$ caused this when they started phasing out win. mobile and CE. if M$ buy
wessonjoe 26th Feb 2010
Skype, i won't use it any more.
i like the tech. and was into voip before there was a skype.
so i'm sure i'd be able to find an offering unencumbered by M$ if i had to.

happy
.
0 Votes
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You would be in the microscopic minority
adornoe@... 26th Feb 2010
Since most people use Microsoft and most people are not into discussions about Microsoft versus Google/Apple/IBM/Linux/anyOtherCompany/anyOtherProduct, they wouldn't care in the least who is behind the product or service being offered as long as the service/product performs well and at reasonable prices.

Techies or people who engage in discussions in tech sites tend to forget that the vast majority of people are not into the technical details and that they're also not into the politics of one company versus another or one product versus another. Most people just care about getting value and service.
0 Votes
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$uper! $o then don't u$e $kype, we$$onjoe!
John Zern Updated - 26th Feb 2010
I did spell that right, didn't I?
0 Votes
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Skype Is Cutting Off Their IM To Spite Their VOIP
John Westra 26th Feb 2010
This is another blow to the Windows Mobile platform
and yet another reason to stay away from long
contracts or contracts of any kind. I currently use a
Windows Mobile 6.1 HTC Mogul from Alltel and have
grown to HATE it as a platform. This latest
development is a final nail in the coffin. I am
currently on eBay, looking at what I can sell my Mogul
for and looking for and hoping it's enough to make
canceling my Alltel contract less onerous. I'm
seriously thinking about going backwards to a
voice/txt only phone with Metro PCS, until 4G Android
phones become available and the price for service
drops do to the resulting competition.
0 Votes
+ -
I have the Omnia 2, WM 6.5
John Zern 26th Feb 2010
and thinks it one of the best phones I've owned. It works finet as a platform, no issues.

Is there anyway to upgrade the HTC Mogul to WM 6.5?
0 Votes
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Omnia II
deb@... 26th Feb 2010
I also have the Omnia II and love it. I had not yet gotten around to installing Skype on it. Now I guess I won't ever.
0 Votes
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Download here
deb@... 26th Feb 2010
Actually, it appears you CAN still download Skype for Windows Mobile, here:
http://www.skype.com/intl/en/download/skype/windowsmobile/
0 Votes
+ -
And so it begins...
rynning 26th Feb 2010
Is the Windows Mobile app market shrinking? Microsoft said last
year there were 10,000 apps for the platform. Are there now
9,999?
0 Votes
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RE: Skype drops Windows Mobile and Skype Lite from its offerings
info@... 27th Feb 2010
That is really bad just boght a HTC Touch pro 2 and use Skype all the time. It works perfect and I do not see the issue they have to drop this. If everyone now forced to have an IPhone?
0 Votes
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Phone service companies will love this...
cymru999 Updated - 27th Feb 2010
this decision will give phone operators (who heavily subsidise mobile phone costs) the perfect excuse to drive the market towards windows mobile phones - you can, I think, expect to see a big price drive on contract phones using windows mobile - for me that is great because I hardly ever MAKE calls on my mobile (just use it for others to contact me) so not having skype is no big deal - but I suspect it will turn out to be a big deal for them losing users. Alienated customers seldom return....if a company treats me indifferently now then they lose my future business no matter how much they change. BRAND loyalty is a huge factor (just ask Apple or Nokia)
0 Votes
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RE: Skype drops Windows Mobile and Skype Lite from its offerings
groovygirl 1st Mar 2010
This is my first time finding out that it even existed for Windows Mobile! I certainly would have downloaded it had I known. I would definitely use it until I upgrade my phone to Windows 7 Mobile!
0 Votes
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RE: Skype drops Windows Mobile and Skype Lite from its offerings
ngunkw 2nd Mar 2010
Yikes! Are they serious? I use Windows Mobile Skype all the time, both via Wifi and 3G, to communicate with my oversea friends.

Bring it back!


WinMobile Skyper
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Skype drops Windows Mobile and Skype Lite from its offerings
newsfreaj2 Updated - 7th Mar 2010
What are they crazy dropping Skype from window mobile.Millions of people use Skype on their windows mobile devices.They are going to lose millions of dollars.How can we stop this?
Eddie
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Skype drops Windows Mobile and Skype Lite from its offerings
pcole@... 20th Nov 2010
I am distressed about this change. I use Skype Lite (not Windows), and find it VERY useful. I am quite irritated at Skype for pulling the plug on this. Skype also seems to have added charges for the use of Skype Lite on a Skype to Skype basis. This is not good at all!
0 Votes
+ -
Does this work on Htc ?
webmasterdiolt@... Updated - 2nd Dec
Does this work with HTC touch diamond 6.1? No one version works with my mobile even beta. Please can some one tell me where i can download for WM 6.1?

Regards
http://www.diolt.com

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