Microsoft have discontinued Skype on all Windows 7 mobile phones in what would appear to be either a genius or an incredibly dumb move. Soon, you’ll no longer be able to sign in and use Skype on any Windows Phone 7 device.
Skype now owned by Microsoft is the worlds best used instant messaging and telephony app. After the purchase Microsoft also rolled their Windows Messenger into Skype so it’s their only instant messenger available.
By discontinuing support for Windows 7 mobiles, anyone that wants to use Skype is faced with two options – Either buy a Windows 8 smartphone (genius move, more sales), or dump the Windows operating system and buy an Android or Apple smartphone (dumb move, Windows mobiles aren’t selling very well in the first place so why alienate your own customers?).
The long term impact could be even greater for Microsoft however, how many children get their hand-me-down mobiles from their parents or older siblings? Many Windows phones can’t be upgraded to Windows 8 so basically if you want Skype a Windows 7 phone is useless.
What’s even more bizarre is that Microsoft support Skype on relatively old Android and Apple mobiles – Android 2.3 or higher and the iPhone 4 or newer, running iOS 6 or higher. Why support third party platforms for longer than you provide your loyal customers on your own products?
The value and attractiveness of your old mobile phone just bombed if it’s Windows 7, so sell it now if you’re thinking of upgrading and get maximum value before it’s completely worthless.
6 Responses
I had the message they were retiring Skype for Android 2.2 a couple of days ago, no big hassle – it’s not an app that’s ever been of any use to me anyway so it can just be uninstalled.
It It has already been not working for at least two weeks now. Thought I had a corrupted app so I deleted it and would reinstall it. Found it is no longer available on the windows store site.
Agree with the author Chris, dumb move. I need Skype so ms will be losing a customer who has had two generations of winphones. Bought them originally because I thought it would sync seamlessly with Outlook for work. That sucked too and did not work.
Goodbye Microsoft and Nokia.
I agree with vbjohnc. I did the same (Bought them originally because I thought it would sync seamlessly with Outlook for work. That sucked too and did not work.) Maybe the shareholding majority of MS is held by their opposition and they want consumers to flee. I’ve just changed to a MacBook Pro and now I’ll be looking seriously at an iPhone. The easiest customer to get is one you already have. Why alienate them?
I too thought there was a problem with my app, uninstalled it only to find it’s gone in the ‘marketplace’! As someone who lives thousands of miles from their family, I used skype at least once a week and now I’m at a loss!
Does anyone know of an app that I can use for internet calls?
Good bye microsoft and windows phone. I am tired of being treated like crap, Switching to an iPhone!