Windows Live Messenger to Be Retired, Skype to Replace It
Microsoft announced that it will retire its instant messaging client Windows Live Messenger on the 15th of March. Skype, the IM and VoIP client Microsoft purchased in 2011, will replace Live Messenger.
Back in May 2011, Microsoft announced that it entered a definitive agreement to purchase Skype for the amount of $8.5 billion in cash. Microsoft’s board of directors and Skype’s board of directors approved the acquisition agreement and awaited the regulators to approve the acquisition agreement as well.
Then in October 2011, antitrust regulators in the European Union (EU) gave the acquisition the go ahead. European competition commissioner Joaquín Almunia approved the deal with no objections. Consequently Microsoft and Skype announced that the acquisition formally closed and Skype officially became a division of Microsoft. Skype CEO Tony Bates assumed the title of president of the Skype Division of Microsoft.
Since the acquisition, Microsoft has invested a lot of time and effort into integrating Skype with Microsoft account logins and products. And it looks like after all this work, Microsoft is willing to give up on Windows Live Messenger and transition to Skype. Microsoft recently announced that come the 15th of March, it will retire its Windows Live Messenger client (the service will continue to live on for a bit longer). If you try to get Live Messenger right now from Microsoft, you are greeted with a “Messenger will be retired soon” message and you are invited to update to Skype.
“On 15th March 2013 we are retiring the existing Messenger service globally (except for mainland China where Messenger will continue to be available) and bringing the great features of Messenger and Skype together. Update to Skype and sign in using a Microsoft Account (same as your Messenger ID) and all your Messenger contacts will be at your fingertips. You’ll be able to instant message and video chat with them just like before, and also discover new ways of staying in touch with Skype on your mobile and tablet,” said Microsoft in an email sent out to Windows Live Messenger users.
Back in May 2011, Microsoft announced that it entered a definitive agreement to purchase Skype for the amount of $8.5 billion in cash. Microsoft’s board of directors and Skype’s board of directors approved the acquisition agreement and awaited the regulators to approve the acquisition agreement as well.
Then in October 2011, antitrust regulators in the European Union (EU) gave the acquisition the go ahead. European competition commissioner Joaquín Almunia approved the deal with no objections. Consequently Microsoft and Skype announced that the acquisition formally closed and Skype officially became a division of Microsoft. Skype CEO Tony Bates assumed the title of president of the Skype Division of Microsoft.
Since the acquisition, Microsoft has invested a lot of time and effort into integrating Skype with Microsoft account logins and products. And it looks like after all this work, Microsoft is willing to give up on Windows Live Messenger and transition to Skype. Microsoft recently announced that come the 15th of March, it will retire its Windows Live Messenger client (the service will continue to live on for a bit longer). If you try to get Live Messenger right now from Microsoft, you are greeted with a “Messenger will be retired soon” message and you are invited to update to Skype.
“On 15th March 2013 we are retiring the existing Messenger service globally (except for mainland China where Messenger will continue to be available) and bringing the great features of Messenger and Skype together. Update to Skype and sign in using a Microsoft Account (same as your Messenger ID) and all your Messenger contacts will be at your fingertips. You’ll be able to instant message and video chat with them just like before, and also discover new ways of staying in touch with Skype on your mobile and tablet,” said Microsoft in an email sent out to Windows Live Messenger users.
