Sorry, exclusivity on android devices, not full exclusivity.
Skype Mobile with video calling coming to all Androids this year – Android and Me
Skype will let you chat phone-to-pc
Yeah. No.
The only thing that Verizon had was exclusive access to the Skype client.
The Skype protocol is openly available to developers and is obtained by getting the Skype SDK.
Fring has been acting as a Skype client for quite some time.
It wasn't until the iP4 launched that suddenly Skype blocked Fring, and then 2 turnarounds in as many weeks on what their business and profit models would be - all the while hiding behind the claim that Fring was "damaging their image."
At no point did they - or Verizon - initiate any action whatsoever based on any violation of agreements.
It's been all about the Benjamins and the entire "Verizon exclusivity" has been a load of marketing hogwash.
Where's your official AIM client? Yahoo client? MSN client?
Most people use other clients to access the server protocols and everyone's fine with it so long as business models don't get violated.
Skype's last claim is that they've decided to not go after money for carrier time and just make money on Skype minutes. The original model that built their business, the one we used throughout the month of June on our Evos. What a concept.
http://androidforums.com/htc-evo-4g/118517-fring-now-supports-skype-video-between-evo-iphone-4-a.html
If you want the references to Skype's business model stuff they're in here:
http://androidforums.com/htc-evo-4g/129967-skype-begins-get-clue.html
Maybe as long as we can't get a Skype client, it's a distinction without a difference to some - but - this whole Verizon exclusive thing is just Skype hiding behind Mom's skirts.
Their shortsightedness and bickering with a client maker has only served to screw with their own users and let's say my company is composed of few of them. In fact, I can safely say that there are at least a thousand or more buyers of Skype minutes that we've directly influenced and no telling how those networks branched out.
I'm looking forward to the Adobe Air possibilities.
I'm looking forward to any of these jerks getting a clue.
PS - Your link is from May. Skype changed their minds more times than I can count since that article's come out.