05-11-2011, 10:13 AM

Ballmer adamant Microsoft keeping Skype alive for Mac, Linux

Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer in the media conference following the buyout of Skype repeatedly stressed that the VoIP app would still get support beyond Windows. Having mentioned support in the initial news, he added that it was "fundamental to the proposition of communications" that other platforms like Linux, the Mac, and non-Windows Phone mobile hardware got support. He pointed to the company's "track record" of Office for Mac as well as mobile apps for Android and iOS as examples....

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05-11-2011, 10:36 AM

Good to know. I was getting worried because I use Skype almost every day.

05-11-2011, 12:27 PM

Steve Ballmer isn't the greatest CEO, but he knows where the trend is heading and also where the money is. I love that statement about "The company's track record for Office for the Mac...."

It's one of the best "cash cows" that MS has, second only to Office for Windows.

05-11-2011, 04:28 PM

Mac has Facetime, it came for free on my machine. So why do we need Skype again?

05-11-2011, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by AccessPA

Mac has Facetime, it came for free on my machine. So why do we need Skype again?

Because Skype also does more than just video, and Skype works cross platform.

05-11-2011, 04:53 PM

He pointed to the company's "track record" of Office for Mac as well as mobile apps for Android and iOS as examples....

If this is the case, Skype for Mac is doomed. One need only look at Office 2008's lack of VBA, and now Outlook 2011's synchronization "support" for an example of Microsoft's commitment to the platform.

This is a terrible pity because Skype is by far the best VOIP solution (in my experience) for computer-to-computer and computer-to-phone uses -- and their pricing for international communications simply can't be beat (although Google Voice came close until Skype rolled out their subscription services).

05-12-2011, 12:39 AM

Ballmer said they'd continue to support Skype In OS X and Linux. He didn't say they'd do a good job of it. LOL! Quite frankly I'm inclined to just flat out call him a liar when it comes to Linux at least, and I doubt the Mac version will see feature parity with the Windows version. But no matter… Apple is supposed to be releasing Facetime as an open standard. They really need to get hopping on that, and fast.

05-12-2011, 01:52 AM

Originally Posted by schweb

Because Skype also does more than just video, and Skype works cross platform.

Exactly. I know more people who don't own a Mac product than people who do so it doesn't matter if someone likes FaceTime better. Most of the world still uses Windows so if the person you are calling can't use FaceTime then you're forced to use Skype or something else that is cross platform. I use Skype much more than FaceTime.

I am also concerned about how this will affect Mac users but it's too early to tell. I think the large number of Skype users is more important to Microsoft and their future plans with it so who knows they might actually make a good version for non-Windows users. We will have to wait and see what happens.

05-12-2011, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by Shikarnov

If this is the case, Skype for Mac is doomed. One need only look at Office 2008's lack of VBA, and now Outlook 2011's synchronization "support" for an example of Microsoft's commitment to the platform.

Actually Office for Mac 2011 is a pretty awesome program. Outlook is new and of course will evolve and improve as time goes by, they can't build everything for everyone right out of the box, they have to focus on what 90%+ of users will need.

This is a terrible pity because Skype is by far the best VOIP solution (in my experience) for computer-to-computer and computer-to-phone uses -- and their pricing for international communications simply can't be beat (although Google Voice came close until Skype rolled out their subscription services).

FWIW, Skype's own Mac dev efforts have been pathetic. Slow release timetable, buggy releases, nothing near feature parity with the Windows version. The Mac version of Skype was always an afterthought. It can't be any worse than it is today and IMHO might actually improve now that MS owns it.

05-12-2011, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by lifeisabeach

and I doubt the Mac version will see feature parity with the Windows version.

It never has in the entire history of the Skype product. Parity has never been a priority for Skype. Heck, stable releases on the Mac has never been a priority for Skype so just keep that in mind.

05-12-2011, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by schweb

It never has in the entire history of the Skype product. Parity has never been a priority for Skype. Heck, stable releases on the Mac has never been a priority for Skype so just keep that in mind.

Oh I removed Skype the night I read Microsoft was buying them. I hadn't been using it, and was only really investigating it as an option to switch to using that on a iPod touch as an alternative to an iPhone when my contract is up next month. Eh… who was I kidding anyway? I just hope that AT&T is allowed to buy T-Mobile on the condition that they adopt T-Mobile's pricing structure. I can dream, can't I?

05-12-2011, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by AccessPA

Mac has Facetime, it came for free on my machine. So why do we need Skype again?

Two words: user base. How many people do you know who use FT and how many do you know who use Skype?

05-12-2011, 09:45 AM

I covered my bases iChat,Facetime and Skype use all 3 occasionally seem to get the best
with Facetime but as vansmith pointed out user base limits you somewhat.

05-12-2011, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by schweb

Actually Office for Mac 2011 is a pretty awesome program. Outlook is new and of course will evolve and improve as time goes by, they can't build everything for everyone right out of the box, they have to focus on what 90%+ of users will need.

Well, I don't know what the percentages are, but the inability to sync calendars is a pretty big deal for those of us trying to run small businesses and employ mobile devices to keep our calendars with us at all times.

FWIW, Skype's own Mac dev efforts have been pathetic. Slow release timetable, buggy releases, nothing near feature parity with the Windows version. The Mac version of Skype was always an afterthought. It can't be any worse than it is today and IMHO might actually improve now that MS owns it.

I don't know... Skype 2.8 is pretty good. I've run it on several systems and haven't had any problems. I can't speak to Skype 5 since I only used it for a few days before downgrading (I can't stand that interface ).

05-12-2011, 01:45 PM

Actually I'm still waiting for Skype for iPad