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...