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SKYPE EXTRAS SURPASS 10 MILLION THIRD-PARTY PLUG-IN DOWNLOADS

Skype today announced that there have been more than 10 million downloads of Skype Extras since the Extras Manager in Skype™ 3.0 for Windows was launched just over four months ago. Extras are plug-ins written by independent third-party developers that let users expand Skype functionality and enrich their Skype conversations.

With easy access to Extras, users are doing more with Skype such as playing games like checkers or backgammon, personalizing video avatars and collaborating with friends, family and business colleagues all over the world. Through the Extras Manager, introduced on December 13, 2006 in Skype for Windows 3.0, it is now even easier to find, install, and launch Extras, as well as access Extras from various places within Skype.

Skype Extras has also created a business opportunity for thriving third-party developers by offering a way for users to easily access their software. Developers can now easily create, publish and promote their software services to over 196 million registered users.

The application that currently tops the list of most frequently downloaded Extras is CrazyTalk™ for Skype, which allow users to use live avatars and emotions on Skype video calls. It has been downloaded more than 3.5 million times since becoming available on Extras. "Since joining the Skype Developer Program, downloads have rocketed from thousands to millions a month," said Charles Chen, CEO of Reallusion, the company which published CrazyTalk.

With nearly 30% of Skype users adopting Skype for business purposes, the Pamela Call Recorder Extra is currently the most downloaded business application, having been downloaded over a million times. “Joining the Skype Developer Program has helped us add users and significantly increase our revenue. Since the launch, the Pamela Call Recorder Extra has outperformed our direct Web site downloads by a double-digit factor. This number is growing monthly, so it really has paid off,” said Dick Schiferli, founder and CEO of Pamela-Systems.

“We’re pleased that so many people love using Skype and are downloading Extras at this incredible pace to connect with people they care about around the world," said Paul Amery, Director of the Skype Developer Program. “The Skype developer community continues to amaze us by creating new software and tools that plug in directly to Skype and enable the Skype community to do cool things on Skype. We see developers as key partners for us to take Skype further on its journey of becoming the world’s greatest way to stay in touch over the Internet.”

The Skype Developer Program provides a global opportunity for developers to innovate and create new businesses and software that enrich the Skype experience for users. To date, there are more than 4,000 developers registered in the Skype Developer Program, which are creating a new generation of exciting software to allow users to do more on Skype.

For more information on the Skype Developer Program, including a view of the Extras Gallery and tips and tools on developing Extras, visit the Skype Developer Zone at developer.skype.com.

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