Skype to cease on Samsung TVs

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dukester

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#192375 8-Mar-2016 20:08

Hope this is the right place.

I am one of thousands of Skype users who use Skype on a Samsung smart tv who are going to end up with an expensive web cam than cant be used for anything else as Skype are ceasing to support there app on Samsung tv's. Cant say I understand why as Skpe havent said much yet about this. Used Skpe almost daily to stay in contact with family members. Watching on the big screen was great. Supposed to end in June.

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234 posts

Master Geek

#1508425 8-Mar-2016 20:12

I saw the message on my Samsung Tv the other day.

I am glad I never go around getting one of them expensive cameras. I will keep using my Xbox.

semigeek

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#1508432 8-Mar-2016 20:21

http://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-end-support-skype-tv-apps-june-2016?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

steve98

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#1508503 8-Mar-2016 21:33

Wow this sucks to hear. I Skype my parents in the UK TV to TV every Sunday, it's a great way for us to feel like we're having a chat in the same room. That can't be replicated with a mobile device, and not even really with a PC / laptop. Really quite sad about this as there's really no alternative. I wish Apple would release a FaceTime app for the Apple TV.

crichton

111 posts

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#1508519 8-Mar-2016 22:16

Can you make it work with HDMI output from PC to TV?

sdavisnz

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#1508520 8-Mar-2016 22:17

steve98: Wow this sucks to hear. I Skype my parents in the UK TV to TV every Sunday, it's a great way for us to feel like we're having a chat in the same room. That can't be replicated with a mobile device, and not even really with a PC / laptop. Really quite sad about this as there's really no alternative. I wish Apple would release a FaceTime app for the Apple TV.

Xbox one will still be supported on TV, that's the solution

Voice gives context

networkn

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#1508523 8-Mar-2016 22:26

sdavisnz:
steve98: Wow this sucks to hear. I Skype my parents in the UK TV to TV every Sunday, it's a great way for us to feel like we're having a chat in the same room. That can't be replicated with a mobile device, and not even really with a PC / laptop. Really quite sad about this as there's really no alternative. I wish Apple would release a FaceTime app for the Apple TV.

Xbox one will still be supported on TV, that's the solution

Most older people aren't going to be happy to buy a $500 xbox which for them will likely have no other purpose than a camera for skyping. Doesn't feel like a "solution" to me!

billgates

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#1508527 8-Mar-2016 22:35

Xbox does more than just Skype. Movies, Games and media streaming apps. Old people watch movies and Netflix?

Do whatever you want to do man.

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networkn

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#1508529 8-Mar-2016 22:40

billgates: Xbox does more than just Skype. Movies, Games and media streaming apps. Old people watch movies and Netflix?

You're kidding right? The chances of my grandparents being able to use netflix, play games, and stream apps on a console are about the same as me finding gold in my bathtub.

Sure the Xbox does more, but most people don't NEED any of the other stuff and spending $500 on a box that does Skype isn't reasonable (for them).

There will be exceptions, but this is a (Another) misstep by MS.

SATTV

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#1508531 8-Mar-2016 22:41

billgates: Old people watch movies and Netflix?

Yeah, they use their Samsung smart TV for that.

I know enough to be dangerous

billgates

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#1508556 8-Mar-2016 23:42

networkn:
billgates: Xbox does more than just Skype. Movies, Games and media streaming apps. Old people watch movies and Netflix?

You're kidding right? The chances of my grandparents being able to use netflix, play games, and stream apps on a console are about the same as me finding gold in my bathtub.

Sure the Xbox does more, but most people don't NEED any of the other stuff and spending $500 on a box that does Skype isn't reasonable (for them).

There will be exceptions, but this is a (Another) misstep by MS.

So grandparents can get around to use a skype app on a smart tv that has clunky interface. All smart TV interface and interactions are slow and terrible. If someone can learn to use smart tv apps, then for them a Xbox, Roku, Fire TV speeds, usability are a god send. From the looks of it, only Samsung out of all the TV manufacturers seems to offer a skype app running on a no name unpopular OS. If this was discontinued support on Windows, iOS or Android you will see a big backlash due to user base.

Do whatever you want to do man.

michaelmurfy

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#1508559 9-Mar-2016 00:02

billgates:
networkn:

billgates: Xbox does more than just Skype. Movies, Games and media streaming apps. Old people watch movies and Netflix?

You're kidding right? The chances of my grandparents being able to use netflix, play games, and stream apps on a console are about the same as me finding gold in my bathtub.

Sure the Xbox does more, but most people don't NEED any of the other stuff and spending $500 on a box that does Skype isn't reasonable (for them).

There will be exceptions, but this is a (Another) misstep by MS.

So grandparents can get around to use a skype app on a smart tv that has clunky interface. All smart TV interface and interactions are slow and terrible. If someone can learn to use smart tv apps, then for them a Xbox, Roku, Fire TV speeds, usability are a god send. From the looks of it, only Samsung out of all the TV manufacturers seems to offer a skype app running on a no name unpopular OS. If this was discontinued support on Windows, iOS or Android you will see a big backlash due to user base.

Actually again you're incorrect. My parents Samsung Smart TV has a really quick interface and is from 2014. They're just keep getting better. Interfaces like the LG WebOS interface and the Samsung interface are actually pretty quick. Heck, even the interface for my old 2011 Sony Smart TV is actually considerably quick given its age except it really can't do much nor is it connected to my network anymore because of this.

There are many people out there using Smart TV interfaces to do things and people like my parents actually rather like it. They're designed for their task and I do also know older people who Skype with their Smart TV. Nobody will be happy spending yet more money for something a Smart TV should be able to do and in my eyes this is a classic "CGA not fit for purpose" case for some people who have purchased it spending more money with the intention to use Skype.

I did however blow my mothers mind away since I setup my mothers new phone with a Google account on my domain and surprised her with a Hangouts call her tonight. Really made her night but there are also people out there who don't own Smartphones, or would prefer using the HD webcam on their expensive Smart TV to create that "in room" experience.

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jarledb

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#1508560 9-Mar-2016 00:17

Really disappointed that the Skype app is going away, not that I have been using it - my TV is perfectly mounted for viewing but not for using the built in camera.

I was going to suggest you should look at Logitech TV cam, but looks like its not available anymore (maybe at a Dick Smiths? ;)

Found this as a possible alternative, but don't know if its any good. But maybe there are more solutions like this around? Logitech has this conference camera, but the price is getting steep.

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Dairyxox

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#1508612 9-Mar-2016 08:11

Apple TV & iPod touches/iPhones are cheap, easy to use and can achieve the same...

What about Chrome cast can it not do this too?

jmh

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#1508620 9-Mar-2016 08:30

I got really annoyed with Skype a few years ago. I have an old macbook I use mostly for travelling. It fits nicely into my backpack. Anyway, one day when I loaded up Skype it upgraded and then told me that my OS was too old and no longer supported. Skype stopped working and I was stuck with nothing.Couldn't they just leave the old version there?

Glad I didn't set it up on my samsung tv. They don't seem to be very customer focused.

Dunnersfella

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#1508624 9-Mar-2016 08:44

I can see the lines at the local Noel Leeming / Harvey's etc...

People will want a refund / solution for their Skype issue.

I've said it for years, why buy a TV if it has Skype on it, when the likes of Microsoft could pull support for it tomorrow...

And here it is.

It's happened.

Although, we have many, many, many Skype capable devices in our home, we Skype every Christmas on our Panasonic plasma.

Hypocrite much?

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