Earlier today Skype released the first beta of SkypeKit, its official API toolkit, to Mac OS X and Windows developers. SkypeKit allows you to build applications that plug into Skype’s services without actually forcing the OS to open Skype.app. Indeed, registered developers can use the “Plugged into Skype” logo in their apps.
TNW reports:
“SkypeKit is a set of APIs (application programming interfaces) into Skype’s services allowing developers to integrate Skype directly into their applications without any need to utilise or load the Skype program itself. The APIs give access to voice, video as well as chat functionality and the clearer audio of the HD SILK codec.”
They’re afraid of Google’s Voice platform, and it shows. Skype has millions of passionated users on its side though, and it’s become a common expression to “Skype someone”. It means people are used to the service, and an API is just what they needed to help developers build better apps. We’ll be here waiting for the first apps that rely on SkypeKit to come around.
[via The Next Web]