Skype ending on TVs, Windows phone, RT

Several months ago I mentioned a notification on my LG smart TV that support for Skype was ending … along with a bunch of other services. Now I’ve received an email from Skype broadening this. It’s not just LG, but all TVs that will be losing Skype from 1 July 2017. And Windows Phone, Windows 10 Mobile and Windows RT.

Here’s the relevant part of the email:

We’ve noticed that you are, or previously were, using Skype on Windows Phone 8, Windows Phone 8.1, Messaging app for Windows 10 Mobile, Windows RT or a TV. We’re sorry to inform you that we will be permanently retiring these versions of Skype. As a result, after Ju‍ly 1, 20‍17, you will no longer be able to sign in to these versions of Skype.

Windows RT was the weird version of Windows designed for use on ARM processors that was released on seven portable products a few years ago, including the first two Microsoft Surface (not Surface Pro) tablets. Windows Phone is obsolete. Windows Mobile 10 is struggling, and clearly Skype consider there to be too few users of Skype on that platform to justify continuing maintenance.

Of course, Skype continues on the usual platforms: Windows, Mac OS X, Android, iOS and Linux.