Skype Update Removes Google Product Bundling

With Skype now being a Microsoft Division it was clear that some things had to change. There is nevertheless a lot of speculating going on in this respect. The Skype development team has released Skype 5.6 for the Windows operating system and an update for Skye 5.5 that removes the Google product bundling from the software’s installation process. Up until now Skype users on Windows had the option to install the Google Toolbar on their operating system while the installation of the Skype voice over IP software. This bundling has now been removed with the released update.

This has probably been more of a issue to Microsoft than the inclusion of the Google Toolbar in the installation process, especially since the Google Toolbar is only compatible with Microsoft’s Internet Explorer.

For now Skype users who install the software on Windows will see no third party product offers. Less toolbars is always a good idea. Some users conversely have speculated that it is only a matter of time earlier Microsoft starts promoting its own products with Skype. The logical choice at this stage in time would be to add the Bing Toolbar to Skype. At the time again, this would undoubtedly infuriate some Skype users.

The Skype update has as well fixed two issues

The Skype update has as well fixed two issues. The first issue was a memory leak in the Skype Firefox plugin, the second a crash of the Skype software at startup on Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 8 operating system.

One question remains although: Why is Skype maintaining two different versions of their software on Windows? What’s the difference between Skype 5.5 and Skype 5.6 that justifies two versions?

Hoi Martin, I think Microsoft is going to promote Microsoft Internet explorer 8 and MS-IE9 whit it. Any thoughts about the opportunity that Skype disappears as a free product and get totally integrated in the upcoming Windows 8 or Windows 9?

Commercial only product

Paulus I personally do not think that they will turn Skype into a commercial only product. They would alienate much of the service’s user base which to my mind is one of the reasons why they bought Skype to begin with. Skype will remain free IMHO and will be integrated in many Microsoft products. I would not be surprised to see it integrated in Windows 8 or Windows Live.

+1 for the integration in Windows Live. Messenger users will finally discover and make use of the built-in phone calling capabilities of their “favorite” chatting software.

And Microsoft truly wants its share of the Big VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) pie towards which Google and others are heading.

Having their own phone platforms Microsoft & Google shall play a very strategic role within the phone calling arena in general. They would take the upper hand when dealing with the big operators Vodafone, Orange…as they are not only providing them with the equipment, however they will be developing their own phone network.

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