Skype retiring third-party Extras

Starting Friday, Skype is effectively pulling the plug on its Extras program, which was designed to help third-party developers create add-ons for Skype's VoIP service (Windows | Mac)--like emoticon enhancements, backup services, and music player plug-ins. Unlike Firefox's similar third-party extensions, not enough people were installing Skype Extras, Skype said in both an e-mail and in a blog post to developers.

Developers and users will have some adjustment time, though. Skype won't certify any new submissions, but it won't yank support for existing Extras either, that is, until their certificates expire. You'll still be able to install existing Extras through the Windows desktop client, and you'll still see them featured in the Skype shop. Skype will also continue to maintain its public application programming interface.

Since many Skype Extras are sold to users as premium content, the shutdown also has a financial impact for profiting developers. They'll have two months, until December 11, to continue using Skype Credit. Developers will need to submit a final invoice by January 25; after that Skype will shutter its third-party shop.

Skype's shucking of its Extras service is unconnected to former parent company eBay's auctioning it off to a lucrative bidder. However, under new ownership, we could see even more changes to the well-known VoIP communicator. Stay tuned.

[MyRightEye]

*** is this nonsense???

[jcozart]

That isn't very much advanced notice. I use a third-party service to send faxes through skype. The whole point is that I rarely send faxes, otherwise I'd have a fax machine. This means I'm pretty much losing my unused fax credit. Would it really be that tough to announce this and phase it out over a year?

[JimCanuck]

This announcement covers the forthcoming end of the Skype Extras program as a marketing tool. However, Skype also stated support for the developer API's is continuing and will not go away. Most of the developers' products are being marketed through their own channels.

And PamFax is not going away at all; it can run independently of Skype, if necessary. There are options for sending confirmation messages beyond simply to a Skype chat session; there are other payment options, including PayPal.

[bojodo]

I think it's pretty crummy to not give enough warning about this shut-down.In hindsight, here is what I think they SHOULD have done to improve usage among members.
* I also think that Skype did not promote those extra's enough - I found them by pure chance while logiged in one evening - I didn't pay much attention during sign-up - they seemed like little things at the time - it wasn't until almost 2 years later I learned about the extra's.
* I also only chose the Skype approved ones, as I was afraid of downloading others in case of virus, etc. damage. So that pretty much limited what I could download based on the parameter of using ONLY Skype extra's.

Food for thought-too bad really, cause I enjoy their Chess game during a love video chat with a friend in Texas at midnight...

[cbuenger]

Whatever caused this misunderstanding in Skype?s information: Pamela for Skype will NOT BE AFFECTED by this change in Skype, as Pamela does not use the Skype Extras system at all.
See http://www.pamnews.com/2009/09/11/no-skype-extras-anymore/ for a detailed explanation.

-Christoph
Pamela Team

[doconn7]

I just started using Skype, it's sad to see it sold off and a questionable future for whom ever it winds up with it. :(

[OnState]

I don't think Skype's future is questionable at all. In fact, it may be more certain than ever. eBay never quite figured out what to do with Skype; the new ownership if familiar with the telecom world, and so far seems to be setting them on the right path. As a representative of a company that develops a Skype Call Center and Skype PBX product ( http://www.on-state.com/skype-solutions.html ), I have to say that the news that Skype is retiring its Extras program is not that big of a deal. The key here will be that they will have to shut it down to reinvigorate it. Sounds odd, but they're making the right move IF they come back with a new, more focused program.

[sashilover]

It may be not a bad news for third part developers of Skype, as the original Skype Developer Program doesn't offer enough resouces/focus on the third part developers.
But the existing product such as PrettyMay Call Center for Skype won't be affacted at all.
We will look forward to the new SDP which should really interest TPDs.

http://www.prettymay.net