Talk about curious timing in light of Google Talk being released (and using the open Jabber/XMPP protocol), today over at ShareSkype, Lenn Pryor posted the announcement of SkypeWeb and SkypeNet:

Simple actually, just tell Skype that you want to share your online status with the Web, copy and paste a few lines of HTML and script that Skype will give you and voila … your Skype status is on the Web. Look for more announcements in the coming weeks from partners who will make sharing your Skype status on the Web quick and easy.

So SkypeWeb becomes SkypeWait, er SkypeWhen … “in the coming weeks.” This is a feature Skypers have been asking for years. I know, because at one time I had an indicator that I based on my Online Offline Manager script and was contacted by multiple Skypers wanting to know how I did it. The problem with my Skype presence mod was it wasn’t actually automated like a true presence indicator would be and thus the user needed to change their status manually. ICQ has had a presence indicator for ages, so this feature should have been on the table a long time ago.

What about SkypeNet which promises to enable developers to access the IM and new SkypeWeb presence server? Pryor reports:”Details on the SkypeNet API will be coming soon, but we want to start the fun now. ”

Start what fun now? Am I missing something? So today’s announcement basically boils down to “just wait and see what we have coming and contact us — by email — if you want to get involved.”

Think I’ll sit this round out. I’ve wanted to develop something with Skype for a little while now, so I’ll look forward to whatever is coming with SkypeWhen.

I’m glad to see Google entering the VoIP space because it should keep Skype on their toes. Other reactions to SkypeWeb and SkypeNet?

Bill Campbell from Skype Journal is feeling a little pain:

For me, Skype’s new announcement just killed a $10,000+ contract for web presence I spent five months cultivating. Thanks, Skype.

Stuart Henshall gives his usual detailed account and carefully vetted opinion on Skype’s future direction:

Open Up! By contrast with Google, Skype is on a philosophical back foot, well balanced. Being closed is no longer an asset, so Skype can compete only on its design, features and capabilities. To open up, the Skype chat client must adopt the Jabber/XMPP protocol, accelerating its interconnect and encouraging developers to “stick” / “start” developing products around the API. So far Google hasn’t announced an API (count the hours).

(BTW, Bill/Stuart, I never did receive a writer login to participate to Skype Journal. Is this just forgetfulness , do you have too many contributors, did I forget to take a virtual bath? Skype me, guys! lol)

Some Digg users are suspicious like Designhaus: “Too little, too late. sorry Skype” and DiGiTaLFX: “Definatly google that prompted this!” honeycut muses: “Looks like skype is in damage control… It’s interesting that they’ve announced these new features before they’re ready.”

Guess Skype needs to say something but I will wait to be excited until there is more than a sniff of a pleasant aroma in the distance. ‘Email us to get involved’ doesn’t really excite this developer, sorry.

Did this post make you go hmm?

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• Developer friendly Google Talk vs. ‘coming soon’ for developers Skype
• Skype public API
• Online Offline status indicator
• AOL *opens AIM to developers
• Henshall launches Skype Journal
• Skype VoIP adds conference calling