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Microsoft Kills Skype For Asterisk

Posted by Unknown on from the we're-not-evil-any-more dept.

Avalon73 writes "I've been using Skype for Asterisk (Digium's native Skype client for their PBX software) since it was in beta 2 years ago. Today, I received an email from Digium stating that Skype (read: Microsoft) has decided to end the agreement that made the integration possible, and Digium will stop selling the module on July 26th. Support for us existing users will be there for the next 2 years, with Skype's option to renew at that time, but I'll believe that when I see it. So much for Microsoft's promise not to screw over the existing Skype user base."

8 of 271 comments (clear)

  1. Microsoft and Skype by ge7 · · Score: 5, Funny

    It has begun

    1. Re:Microsoft and Skype by TheLandyman · · Score: 5, Funny

      Alternatives?

      Facetime? :)

    2. Re:Microsoft and Skype by man_of_mr_e · · Score: 5, Insightful

      More than likely, this is just a cost saving measure by Skype to improve the books for the merger. Microsoft would have no say in such a minor thing at this point. The deal still has to go through FTC approval before Microsoft has any control over operations.

      It makes no sense why Microsoft would even care at this point. In fact, from Microsoft's perspective, the more money skype loses the better, as it drives the price down. Skype itself is the only one that would micro-manage this at this point.

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  2. Asterisk users by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I guess both of you will have to run windows now.

  3. Re:How are you screwed? by ThePiMan2003 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    which is a life time in terms of technology

    A lifetime in terms of computer technology. In terms of phone technology, where you might install a phone system and not really touch it for 10 years... 2 years is very short.

  4. Re:Quick to blame Microsoft by Wonko+the+Sane · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You don't mess with the SEC.

    You and I don't mess with the SEC. Large financial institutions and significant corporate donors to political campaigns do whatever the fuck they want.

  5. Or by Dcnjoe60 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    More than likely, this is just a cost saving measure by Skype to improve the books for the merger. Microsoft would have no say in such a minor thing at this point. The deal still has to go through FTC approval before Microsoft has any control over operations.

    It makes no sense why Microsoft would even care at this point. In fact, from Microsoft's perspective, the more money skype loses the better, as it drives the price down. Skype itself is the only one that would micro-manage this at this point.

    Or Skype knows that Microsoft wants these skype clients dropped and one explanation for paying so much over market price for skype could be that part of the "deal" is that Skype drops support for what Microsoft doesn't want before the purchase. That way, Microsoft can honestly say they didn't drop support for Asterisk or Linux or whatever. Happens all the time in mergers and acquisitions: "We really would like to purchase our company, but the operations in xyz create a real problem for us." Next thing you know, there aren't any operations in xyz.

  6. Or... by QuasiSteve · · Score: 5, Funny

    Or disgruntled people among the executive ranks of Skype knew that people would come up with conspiracy theories by playing such a hand and are now cackling as not only do they walk away with millions but get to see Microsoft painted as the bad guy yet again!