Let's admit it, Skype ain't lovin' us Android folks. For the time Android has become a pretty stable operating system, they still couldn't manage to bring Skype to offer functionalities that work on the iPhone well enough. To add insult to the injury, the Skype app on some Android models not only malfunction, they also devour battery, and some even report that Skype make their phone lag to hell.
Well, that bites. Android is definitely one of the major smartphone OS's of the present day, even becoming more important than RIM's Blackberry OS last year and even beating iOS this year. But given that, why are they not focusing enough on Android? Just a few days ago a Skype update rolled out and enabled video functionality to Gingerbread-sporting Droids, or more specifically, 4 Droids: The Xperia Neo, Xperia Pro, HTC Desire S, and the Nexus S. Seriously, Skypey? 4 handsets? Two of which not yet even available on the US and Asia.
So why is Skype not yet Android-ready? Why does it suck so much? Here are some explanations.
1. The Buyout
Here's some conspiracy theory for you. MicroSoft buys Skype and we all know how MicroSoft has its own interest to protect in the Smartphone OS race, namely the sprightly chic Windows Phone 7 that is still a rare OS to come by. By holding back developments on the Android port, Android experience is disrupted and userbase growth is somewhat turned against the OS. But this is highly unlikely for 1: MicroSoft hates Apple, too, but Skype in iOS does not suck, and 2.) Skype has its own business model that it wants to protect. The boss might be Gates, but Skype must be able to turn in profit through the services they provide lest, they get sold again.
2. Android is not ready for Skype
How many underpowered Android models is there out lurking? These little pungkins will not be able to run Skype sufficiently without hampering usual operations of things. And of course, even if your phone is well-powered, like say XPERIA Arc, but lacks the front-facing camera, then Skype video chat is out of the question. We doubt you'd like to use the rear camera to chat with your girl friend at LA, while you face your phone to your mirror and look at her from there (but hey that might work). Maybe it's time to face the music and just sing, Android might not be ready for Skype, that or
3. Skype is not ready for Android
I mean come on, how many iPhone models do they really need to work with 4 at most (iPhone 2g, 3g, 3gs, 4), while Android has a plethora of handset models to choose from. Then there are the different front camera resolutions for each, the screen size, the processor speed and RAM to work with. It ain't exactly a walk in the park to make it work for all, if not most, Android handsets.
4. There is just no money in Android to justify the effort
Android users are often stereotyped as cheapskates, that statement plus the fact that Android was made with the "free stuff" philosophy in mind among other things just results in a report that there is no money in the Android Market. Sadly, this is the case. And Skype might not feel that it will make money int he premium services it offers in the Android Market. At the end of the day, it still money that makes a company working for its customers, if no money comes in, they cannot do business, and Android, being unprofitable, might be set aside as one of its lesser priorities.
What do you think? Why is Skype is still not fit for Android?
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