Skype Pulls Windows Mobile Apps

By Geoff Duncan February 26, 2010

Image used with permission by copyright holder

In a gutsy move, VoIP operator Skype has—for the moment, anyway—turned its back on Windows Mobile phones, announcing in a blog post that its Skype Lite and Skype for Windows Phone applications are no longer available. The reason: the applications did not offer “a great Skype experience.” Users who already have the applications can continue using them—Skype is not reaching Big Brother-like into users’ phones and disabling the applications—but new users will not be able to download fresh copies to new devices.

Skype says it has withdrawn Skype for WIndows Phone because the latest version of Windows mobile makes it too difficult to “maintain an app which behaves as you’d expect” across a broad range of devices. Skype has not worked with carriers to produce versions of its Windows Mobile Skype application for particular networks or handsets, offering instead a single application aimed at all Windows Mobile devices. Skype Lite only operated in a small number of countries, and ate up users mobile minutes when making Skype-to-Skype calls.

Skype did not mention whether it is developing a version of its VoIP software for Microsoft”s recently-announced Windows Phone 7 Series. Skype is available for the iPhone, where calling is currently limited to Wi-Fi connections; a version of Skype os also available for Google Android.

Skype recently announced a partnership with U.S. mobile operator Verizon Wireless that will offer free Skype-to-Skype calling applications for BlackBerry and Android phones beginning in March.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Mobile

How to reset default apps on an Android phone or tablet

Someone holding a Google Pixel 5. The screen is on and shows the Home Screen with an app folder open.

One of the best things about owning an Android phone is being able to change your default apps. If you've ever opened a file or an internet link with a certain app, and you chose Always when prompted, then that type of file will be opened with that app every time, saving you from tapping that app every time, and reclaiming some precious time. But what happens if you're the indecisive type or if you suddenly find a better app you'd like to use as your default? It's easy enough to go change.
Stock Android
“Stock Android” refers to any basic Android device that is similar to Google’s version. If you’re the owner of a phone running Stock Android — like the Google Pixel 5, the Xiaomi Mi A3, or the Motorola One Vision, here’s how to reset your app preferences.

Resetting preferences for a single app

Mobile

T-Mobile just set another 5G speed record

T-Mobile’s rivals may be nipping at its heels in the 5G race, but the Uncarrier is determined to stay ahead of the game. It not only boasts the fastest and most expansive 5G network in the U.S., but it’s actively working on technologies that will help it reach even greater peak speeds.

Two years ago, T-Mobile used a relatively new technique known as 5G Carrier Aggregation (5G CA) to achieve the kind of 3Gbps download speeds on midband frequencies that had previously been the exclusive domain of extremely high (and extremely short-range) mmWave technologies. Now, it’s chalked up another 5G first by taking advantage of the latest developments to shatter the traditional cap on upload speeds over sub-6GHz frequencies.
T-Mobile's newest 5G record

Mobile

Ends tonight: Get 3 months of Mint Mobile for just $15

Mint Mobile Promotional.

Do you ever get the feeling that you're paying too much for your cell phone plan? If you've had the same carrier for years now, maybe it's time to switch it up. Hunting for a better deal is a great way to save money in the long run, and there are fantastic cell phone plan deals that can save you a nice chunk of change in the short term too. Mint Mobile has an offer today that gets you three full months of their service for just $45 total—just $15 per month. Keep reading for all the info you need, or head over to Mint's site and sign up. The deal ends today!

Why you should sign up for Mint Mobile with this deal
The best part about this deal is that it applies to every plan they have. That's right, no matter what data plan you opt for, your first three months will be $15 each. That means you can sign up for a small plan, just 5GB, and pay the usual rate, $15 per month. Or, if you're a thrifty shopper in it for the deals, you can sign up for the full unlimited plan, which is normally $30 per month, and still pay just $15 per month for three months. There are also 15GB and 20GB plans in between, and they're also—you guessed it—$15 per month for three months.