• GigaOm, Friday, September 11, 2009 3:15 PM

Om Malik argues that Skype's present leadership doesn't know to leverage its own platform, because it doesn't understand developers. The most recent example of this, according to Malik, is Skype's decision to scrap its "Extras" API-based effort, which launched in June 2007. Extras, so-called, are third-party applications -- or plug-ins -- that can be added on to leverage the Skype network. Skylook, for example, combines Skype with Outlook. What motivated the move? "Not enough people were using (Extras) to justify our continued support of the Extras program," says Skype. According to Malik, the platform was promoted enough. And now, "if you're a developer, you have no reason to believe Skype will do the right thing, even with the new management (and ownership) structure."

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