Skype is pulling its Skype Lite Java app and Skype for Windows Mobile applications for download from its site, with the full featured client to stop functioning by the end of the year. Skype states that it is pulling the applications due to performance compared to the iPhone and Symbian versions, but the answer is inconsistent as explained below.
This latest move follows the indefinite delay of a 3G enabled version of Skype for the iPhone last week and the latest action now confirms that Skype’s deal with Verizon has a yet undetermined exclusivity period, which was originally thought to only affect availability of the same service on a competing carrier. Skype is also pulling the Skype Lite Java app, also without any explanation, even though the app was one of the most popular downloads for the VOIP service provider.
For the time being, Skype for Windows Mobile can be downloaded here, though the link may be taken down at anytime.
Update: Skype representatives have responded to PhoneNews.com, stating the following:
“The fact that we’ve partnered with Verizon and the fact that we’re withdrawing these apps are related only to the extent that they’re part of our drive towards a better Skype mobile experience. What we’ve announced is that we’re withdrawing the Windows Mobile and Lite apps from our website. If you already have one of them, you’ll be able to carry on using it.“
Skype is looking worse by the minute. I’m already trying iCall and Talky on my iPhone. What happens with users who paid for credit to use with their Windows Mobile phones?
Skype is making itself sink with all this, they are now obviously unreliable. I don’t trust them anymore for anything. I wouldn’t be happy even if I was a Verizon customer because Skype is obviously not caring at all for his customers so it’s not safe at all to do business with them.
Now it’s the perfect time for Skype VoIP competitors to rise and shine.
The fact that we’ve partnered with Verizon and the fact that we’re withdrawing these apps are related only to the extent that they’re part of our drive towards a better Skype mobile experience.
And just to be absolutely clear: what we’ve announced is that we’re withdrawing the Windows Mobile and Lite apps from our website. If you already have one of them, you’ll be able to carry on using it.
Hope that clears things up – please let me know if you have any more questions, and I’ll be more than happy to answer them.
Hello Peter, this is Humberto Saabedra and I’m the original author of the article. I’ve gone ahead and made the correction as well as added your statement.
Is anybody developing any software for Windows Mobile Phone any more? The only surprise is that there are not more companies withdrawing from Windows Phone Classic, which will soon be superseded.
Microsoft announced it is moving to a new platform. It’s only natural that development stops for the old platform. Don’t blame Skype. Blame Microsoft for superseding Windows Mobile.
The ball is clearly in Microsoft’s court to quickly dictate an SDK strategy. We don’t know if Windows Phone apps can be ported between the two versions (assuming you write it in .Net CF). Technically, we still don’t even have a 6.5 SDK (remember, MS pulled it after briefly offering it).
One wonders why a multi-billion dollar company gets away with being only slightly behind iPhone with that kind of tactic.
Judging by what Adobe said today, that’s doubtful… which reinforces why Microsoft is being so tight-lipped about it.
All said though, there’s no reason for Skype to remove working software, even if it is discontinued. They can note that they don’t support it anymore, and keep customers happy.