Microsoft wants to kill point-to-point Skype, and Native Linux and Mac clients will die out.

Microsoft wants to kill point-to-point Skype, and Native Linux and Mac clients will die out.
GuideTwo days ago, we reported that Microsoft has brought a brand new Skype client for Linux, which is consistent with the latest client in Windows. However, this new Linux client is based on WebRTC. In fact, it announced the end of native clients under Linux and OS X-although they are older than Windows clients, both interfaces and functions.

This is because Skype is restructured and the cloud-centric code architecture replaces the previous point-to-point architecture. Currently, Skype clients in Windows, iOS, Android, and Web browsers are all based on the new cloud architecture. Therefore, the Linux client released this time adopts the same architecture.

Microsoft has not announced the end date of the native client to Mac and Linux users. You can still download these applications. However, it is clear that Microsoft will not invest more money and energy on these bloated OS X and Linux native clients.

In a blog post on the Skeype blog, Microsoft mentioned that it will focus more on "core platforms". In other words, it is "the release of updates, lighter and faster applications in Windows 10, iPhone, iPad, and Android." Linux and OS X clients (and legacy Windows) will eventually be replaced by "Web-based native Skype", "benefiting from the latest ORTC/WebRTC technology ", it runs in the browser.

Skype, which was released in 2003, was developed rapidly due to its ability to penetrate the firewall's VoIP technology and was acquired by eBay and Microsoft. However, after Microsoft completes its transformation to the cloud, it has only one brand and shell left. Its previous point-to-point network and various special services will eventually disappear.

Microsoft believes that they need to restructure Skype to improve the quality of their calls: When voice data is sent to Microsoft's cloud, they can process incoming and outgoing data, that is, they can control the quality of voice. Of course, the user experience is still related to bandwidth and ISP. There will also be new solutions for those special services, which are now a lightweight and mobile-first era. These features can be placed on the cloud, rather than on each client. Therefore, Microsoft can provide new and enhanced functions to these users, such as better file sharing services, video calls, group chats, translation, and robots.

There is no reason to think that Microsoft will cancel the encrypted communication mechanism of Skype, but leaving the point-to-point mode will obviously increase users' worries about privacy.

Today, its point-to-point IM uses AES 256 encryption, while TLS is used for cloud transmission. When both sides of a call are on the network, they are all transmitted through TLS, while AES 256 is still used when the call is made.

However, it is unclear whether it is end-to-end encryption. The client performs encryption negotiation. Microsoft does not give a clear answer. If encryption is established only through negotiation between Microsoft and the client, the user will certainly face the data transmitted by the user to be assisted in judicial investigation. Unlike WhatsApp, Microsoft will be able to listen.

From: https://linux.cn/article-7606-1.html

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