There is the reported line and the unreported line. It’s not that CEO’s don’t tell the reporters where they are going, new facts sometimes get glossed over. It could be the world isn’t quite ready for more big Skype announcements.
My interpretation of Niklas’s presentation is the “themes” for what comes next are all there.
First a little history. When Skype first launched (Aug 2003)it was described as P2P telephony that just works and was compared with Net2Phone, MSN, and VoIP products. Then Skype started to go cross-platform and SkypeOut beta was launched. At VON Canada one year ago Niklas announced the SkypeAPI which launched officially six months ago. This year SkypeOut went live on all platforms and is now the largest SIP application in the world. Voice mail was launched and spawned voice messaging. SkypeIn is now in beta and the focus increasing on mobile, with recent deals announce with iMate and WiFi hotspot operators. Recently the suggestion to think of Skype like a “mobile operator” came into play. To Skype Journal readers all this is not news.
What was stated but not reported in the press.
1. Embedded Devices. Embedded Linux is a certainty and the SkypeAPI for Linux has just been released. This will certainly go into routers and similar products.
2. Web Enabled: This means that Skype will go into presence applications just like they have added voice mail. We can expect their first offerings to be simple. Solutions are likely to tie in with their centralized buddylist service. Expect it to appear in social networking and dating sites.
3. Small Business: Account upgrades that enables corporate multiple accounts will work well for small enterprises and enable a corporate presence directory.
4. Mobility. The short list includes WinPocketPC, Symbian and embedded Linux. He also held up his iMate (it’s a real nice device) and you know there will be more devices like these.
Where I’m still surprised and where I got confirmation that there is no development right now.
1. Pocket PC API. Apparently Skype is not working to extend the SkypeAPI to the pocket PC. This appears short sighted with the opportunities for small devices to act as a transport and conduit for other info sources. Eg a medical monitor. I can only infer that they prefer to go Linux. Embedded devices with Linux and Skype (both free software) will significantly undercut the price required to use the PocketPC platform.
My objectives and learning. Help Skype to accelerate development and communication with developers themselves. Similarly, while Skype have stated the case for leaving regulation out of VoIP and perhaps even regulating the incumbents, I’m not being active enough in promoting that cause. Skype should engage their users more effectively in driving this dialogue. More on that later.
. Nov 7-9. San Francisco. 
Feedburner SmartFeed