 |
Skype as a Service - mission impossible
July 20, 2011 | Author: Adam Levine
A couple of years ago, the IT world was excited with the idea of using Skype as a service - when any application, web-service, mobile client and any device could "talk" via Skype's network. This dream in theory came true last year when the SkypeKit SDK was launched in the closed beta. However, during the whole year SkypeKit SDK was actually used only by the couple of TV manufacturers and (perhaps) for Facebook integration. Earlier this month SkypeKit SDK was opened to all comers, but we still haven't seen any boom of new Skype-applications. And this time noone can blame Microsoft.
The dream of Skype as a Service has crashed against the license agreement of SkypeKit SDK. First, in order to distribute Skype-powered app the developer needs to pass the certification test which costs $4000 and if it fails, the next test will cost the same amount. But it's not the worst.
Using SkypeKit SDK is not allowed for Web applications, servers, enterprise applications, mobile phones and tablets. Even developing a desktop application you can't feel secure. The License Agreement does not give the clear answer to the question: if the desktop application can work without starting the official Skype client or not. So if Skype doesn't like your app, it will repeat the Fring's case.
See also: Top 10 VoIP services
