No Linux or Mac drivers for Skype phones? What are they thinking?

By Stan Beer
Wednesday, 07 November 2007 17:16

Opinion and Analysis

As a committed Ubuntu Linux newbie, I've been feeling pretty pleased with my new distribution over the past couple of days. However, I've hit a telecommunications snag and, judging by the free flow of angst pervading all of the Linux forums I've visited, I'm not alone in my disgust.

In a nutshell, Linux users simply can't find a dual-mode cordless USB handset that supports both Skype and the ordinary telephone network. This is in spite of the fact that such handsets have been available for Microsoft Windows users for two and a half years. The fault clearly lies with the dual phone handset makers for their contemptuous treatment of Linux users by not developing the drivers but Skype itself is not entirely blameless.

With nearly 250 million users and growing, Skype is the largest global VoIP provider. The majority of Skype users are based outside the US, particularly in Europe, where Linux use is stronger than anywhere else in the developed world and also starting to make significant inroads in the desktop space. It is quite possible that millions, perhaps tens of millions, of Skype customers are also Linux users.

Skype, a company originated by Scandinavians, is obviously well aware of this, which is why its software is available for many of the major Linux distributions. The question is, with so much market clout, why has Skype not pressured dual phone makers to bring Linux (and Mac) drivers to the market? After all, Skype sells phones from its website - the same site that offers Linux and Mac Skype client downloads.

Perhaps Skype thinks this is not an issue with linux users. If so, the company should consider this sample post to one of the forums I visited while like other Linux users I was trying in vain to find a solution to my Skype phone problem.

"Skype continually contracts with companies to produce equipment for their services that do not and will not support linux. For me I am at the point of you give me a watered down version that barely works of skype for desktop use only and no hardware support. Well I can take my voip business to a company that will support me."

So now that I'm no longer a Windows user, I'm back to using my clumsy but reliable Plantronics USB headset for Skype calls and my two-year-old Olympia dual phone is now just a below average DECT phone (the sound and keypad really are below par), what to do?