Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

Hi!

It seems like Microsoft will remove the 3rd party API from Skype in December.

Does anyone know how that will affect the nicely integrated and up until now quite reliable Skype implementation on the N9? Will Skype on the N9 be deprecated now and stop working?

Update: fixed link.

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

Skype will stop working. RIP.

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

That is unacceptable. But at the same time I can understand Microsoft.they payed plenty and will now cash in with exclusivity :mad:

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

time to focus on alternatives SIP / JINGLE or telepathy framework ...

I suppose the skype client of n810 could be safely removed too

--
http://rzr.online.fr/q/skype

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

I can't understand how Microsoft cans the API while their own official clients work like crap. I mean use Skype on Windows Phone for a couple days and you just want to throw the device at a wall (despite the good voice quality). Same counts for the Windows desktop Skype client - which is full of advertisement & a poor piece of software - even though I pay regularly for Skype-credits ads won't go away. At least on OSX and even (despite outdated version) on Linux things are better. Also on Android the official version causes many troubles (overheating of some Android devices, continue ringing even after picking up call, crashing of the application).

3rd party apps on desktop or mobile (like on Harmattan - despite no video call) work very well and are compatible with the paid services.

But I don't even ask why Microsoft does it, because the general rule simply is: Everything touched by Microsoft is doomed.

Unfortunately I (have!) to use Skype a lot and on a daily basis. There's no alternative available which offers the same stuff and is available on several devices. I'm open to try out other stuff if someone knows about alternatives (I'm not talking about normal SIP accounts which I already use) and would at least try to convince my contacts to use them...

And btw: I thought only the API for desktop software will be closed? Or did I missunderstand that & infact it affects any kind of platform?

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

Bah, in December it's Christmas and Ill be running Jolla ;)

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

And how will that help you with skype?

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

Lol
The joys of using proprietary protocols.
No pity for you Skype users. :)

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

use Tox ;)

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

thx for the tip ...

https://github.com/irungentoo/ProjectTox-Core

who want to test this ?

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

Look at that, self disabling spyware. :o


Doesn't look ready for prime time, does it?

Could you let me know , why not use Jitsi? It's been around for ages.

Mobile versions should emerge. Android version seems moving in the right direction.
And N900 and N9 should be able to call to Jitsi PC clients using XMPP w/o encryption while waiting for mobile integration.

www.jitsi.org


Other proprietary Skype alternative with emphasis on security: VSee http://vsee.com



Lots of contenders jumping to fill the gap left by Skype narrowing support and compromised security. :p

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

Why the HELL do they reivent the wheel over and over again?

We have XMMP and an open VOIP protocol already.

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

As I've said it before; cos we are in the wheel-inventing-business :p
And my wheels are pretier than thine :)

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

How do you know this?
The statement microsoft made was that they are disabling the public desktop API for Skype.
How do you know that Skype on the N9 uses that API and not some non-public mobile API instead?

Until I see proof, I still hold hope that Skype on N9 will continue to function in 2014.

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

There's your answer. Dunno about N9 but no adverts on N900. No wonder they want to retire it.

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

Something similar with GV ?: http://blog.obihai.com/2013/10/impor...gle-voice.html

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

Bah... Google. I'd rather use Microsoft products than Google. Both are equally evil but Microsoft is at least not as hypocritic.

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

I believe it says "desktop API" in the article?

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

I am looking forward to tox, hopefully we can get implementation on the N9.
Its not really re inventing the wheel, because the main point of tox is P2P SECURE NSA proof chat. Its not a replacement for skype necessarily, more an alternative to keep chat private.

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

Skype will NOT stop working on the N9. Stop the FUD. Just go to the Skype support website and see the Skype client for N9 and what features it supports. It is not 3rd party it is 1st party development.

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

I say let them. I know the N9 crowd will be hurt if this indeed does affect the mobile sector; however let's be honest. Bigger, better and more secure needs to happen. And since Skype was willingly snooped upon by Microsoft for the NSA, why would you even want it any longer?

Tox looks great. I wish them luck.

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

screw microsoft its even going to push us for more independence...

Instant messaging:

https://www.pidgin.im/
https://otr.cypherpunks.ca/
https://github.com/prof7bit/TorChat/wiki
http://www.bitlbee.org/main.php/news.r.html
https://guardianproject.info/apps/chatsecure/
http://www.xabber.com/
https://chatsecure.org/


Video conferencing & VoIP:

https://jitsi.org/
https://www.linphone.org/
http://mumble.sourceforge.net/
https://code.google.com/p/csipsimple/

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

Both combined...?

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

I want skype because a lot of my friends use it. It is the main messaging service I use. (together with an IRC channel and a little bit Whats-app).

If you really want "bigger and better" why use an old N9 ??
It is hard to deny that other smartphones are bigger and at least better from a pure hardware point of view.

The fact that an online service is monitored by the NSA doesn't really make the service less secure than ordinary phone-calls, and doesn't make the N9 itself less secure.
The main security concern for most people in mobile phones is the possibility of identity theft when your phone is stolen, or when an installed application isn't what the user thought (malware).

I'm not entirely sure about all the security features in the N9, but the N900 for example is really not secure by default. Wifi, account and online password can be recovered from a stolen N900 rather easily, and applications aren't sandboxed by default.

It is very difficult for a consumer to judge the security of mobile phones. My impression is that security actually is a high priority for both iOS and Android, but I have doubts about the security in the N9 and Windows Phone. My impression is that it is more of an afterthought in these devices (but practically also less of an issue because of the smaller user-base)

tox because it server-less protocol. peer-to-peer connection. you can encrypt your traffic and nobody can listen you ;)

and Custodian working for tox for harmattan

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

В честь чего? Что в харматтане что маемо не используется desktop API, у нас тут SkypeKIT который будет работать пока они не сменят протокол, или скайп забанит ключ нашего скайпкита.

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

"SkypeKit is no longer accepting new developer registrations. If you are developing websites or applications that you want to integrate with Skype, check out the Skype URIs."

and

How Skype URIs work

In its simplest form, you can embed a hyperlink referencing a Skype URI in a webpage to place a Skype call. For example, to initiate a call to the Skype Echo / Sound Test Service, the link would be:
<a href="skype:echo123?call">Call the Skype Echo / Sound Test Service</a>Clicking the link:

1. Brings the device’s Skype client into focus, starting it as necessary.
2. Effects auto-login or prompts your users for their Skype Name and password.
3. Typically opens a confirmation dialog to authorize placing the call.
4. Places the call

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

So what? Already integrated in maemo for example, skypekit should works as long as protocol stays same.

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

Haven't you read that article ( http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/...ds-to-petition )?

"... discontinue Skype's Desktop API ..."

It is *desktop* API. Windows version using COM, Linux version DBus or X11 Messaging (via X11 Atom properties). That desktop API is used to communicate with running instance of Skype. For example 3rd application can make voice call or ask for list of contacts. Some IM clients have skype support via this desktop API.

This *desktop* API is implemented in client and is used for other applications. So MS cannot stop/shutdown this API. Only can offer you to upgrade Skype to new version which will be without desktop API.

So it has absolutely *nothing* with our mobile skype implementation (skyhost) in Maemo and Harmattan.

Btw, some years ago I worked on skype plugin for KDE4 IM client Kopete (it should still work on linux with skype 2.x) which using that desktop API via DBus, so I know more about it...

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

Regarding Tox as Skype replacement:
There are already GTK/Qt/QML frontends, but the question is - do we need another separate app for this protocol? Of course we don't.

Tox Telepathy plugin hasn't been made yet, but there's already a Pidgin's libpurple plugin available. We already have telepathy-haze in the repos, so using this plugin in the integrated messaging app should be quite easy. We just need to compile Tox and the libpurple plugin.

PS: Corrent me if I'm wrong - this is the first time I hear about Tox.

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

@nodevel right, no difference which implementation of tox you using. but harmattan have no option to add contact to roster. its why we need ui for everything :D

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

@coderus Thank you, I stand corrected :)

Still wondering how it is with Fremantle, though...

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

http://www.ekiga.org/ekiga-softphone-features
https://wiki.gnome.org/Empathy

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

The question is now moot; MS is going to continue to support the API after all

http://blogs.skype.com/2013/11/06/fe...e-desktop-api/

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

Well, for now at least ;) (as with any proprietary IM service)

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

Couldn't agree more. I always said (even before any NSA fiasco), that Skype deserve to die, in pain. Call me a terrible person, but the more troublesome way it's going to blow-up in users face, the better.

LOL, doesn't you feel a little... Well, excuse honesty, but a "brainwashed sheep, mass mind-controlled, by technical ignorancy and lack of consumer awaresness "?

You know, when someone writes "I want to use <any s.h.i.t> because my friends use it", the basic question comes in mind - who is more a fool - a fool himself, or someone who follows him?
---

Now, I know that it's a moot topic, as skype support stays. I feel almost disappointed - seeing topic title, I really hoped that I'll get rid of fools trying to rig me into startin' to use skype, every 2 days or so.

/Estel

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

LOL! Well maybe a little sheepish :D

But that is how it goes when it comes to these social networks, I sometimes find it a bit insidious, the way they trap users in their ecosystems.

I do prefer open standards, but I am pragmatic, and the fact that it serves its purpose well is more important to me than openness.

I agree that there is a good chance that someday this way of thinking will come to bite me in the ***. (for example when skype shuts down or becomes windows only).
But hey, saves time until then.

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

Are you mad? Skype !was! STOP working on N9. And I touch question on Skype support - without response.

N9 is Nokia device with official Skype client. This is not problem related to Skype-lite deadline. Now Nokia is Microsoft .. but MS is MS. Arrogant **** corporation ..

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

Skype is still working on my N9.

Re: Skype API shutdown - what happens to Skype on the N9?
 

Skype stopped working for me this week: cannot connect.
I removed account, removed everything from /home/user/.Skype, ran
gconftool --recursive-unset /system/http_proxy
gconftool --recursive-unset /system/proxy
gconftool --recursive-unset /system/osso

No luck so far.

It looks like it cannot find server: I cannot see it connecting e.g. in netstat or Conky. Is there log file to look for DNS attempts or some monitoring app for network access activity?