Skype Journal: Skype's Innovation Engine: the API
May 29, 2005 08:52 PMSkype said it will be re-launching their Software Developer Program, SDP, this month. They have 2 days to go! Please hurry!
Since I was the first member of the SDP eight months ago I can say this is a much-needed upgrade. Skype continues to innovate. But the real long-term innovation engine will be driven by an ecosystem of global software and device developers. Small, like Khaoslabs in Toronto, Canada, with the two genius Kevin’s (Kevin 1 and Kevin 2) who we work with, and large, like Motorola.
This week also marks the beginning of COMPUTEX Taipei, according to them, the second largest IT show. COMPUTEX will show us some exciting new Skype-enabled devices. I will be reviewing one for you next week. And we can expect yet anther third party video program to be ready for download this week as well.
Soon Skype will announce a much needed certification program which will help users make purchasing decisions a little easier. This program will help build trust between the developer and user community. Trust is a big deal.
Summer is approaching. Tonight it was hot enough on my deck to barbeque without turning on the propane. The Skype API world is now heating up too.
Since the release of the Skype API last September we have seen many early innovations. My own Skype Presence Server, voice mail solutions like SAM and Pamela. We have the bluedude (Hans Blaauw) in the Netherlands cranking out many tools. And Markus in Germany with his Skype presence broadcasters. Markusin the UK with his SMS solution. Skype Bots from the 2 Kevin’s and bluedude.
These are the earliest of days. The big days are coming. There are some really sweet things coming from developers to make Skype really rock.
AND now we have Lenn Pryor at Skype to help us drive it forward. Lucky us.
Here is an example of the kind of innovation I am talking about. Web-2-Skype’n Back. Kevin L(2) in Khaoslabs gave me a demo of his prototype today.
So here Kev’s prototype. Next week we will publish it as an “Open Source” project so everyone can get involved. Probably along with his Presence server.
Like the name says, it allows anyone to an initiate a chat message to a Skype Client from a web browser. AND for the Skype Client to respond to that message. A real plus if you want visitors to your web site to contact you. Engage in a chat. BETTER too, because if they give you there mobile or landline number you can call them on SkypeOut. Why type?
Here is the interface for me on my web browser along with a system diagram:
Here is the interface for Kevin L:
Awesome.
I will follow-up this post up with more about the Skype Developer DNA, Business Models for Developers and more third-party product products that enhance the Skype experience.
TrackBack (0)
Comments (3)
The API files should be translated into chinese or other languages.
Posted by: guozixiang at May 29, 2005 9:45 PM
Skype API documentation comes in English, Japanese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese http://share.skype.com/developer_zone/developer_zone/documents_and_examples/ :)
Posted by: Teller at May 30, 2005 7:49 AM
That's hardly all of what's coming up from KhaosLabs in the near future. We're going to change the way people Skype :)
-SillyRabbit (Kevin #1) and PointBlank (Kevin #2)
Posted by: The Genius Kevins at May 30, 2005 9:47 AM