Microsoft Messenger to be retired, absorbed into Skype

Published November 14, 2012 6:45pm

Microsoft is retiring its venerable "Messenger" IM software, but assured Messenger users can still access their contacts through Microsoft-acquired videoconferencing service Skype.

In a blog post, Skype said it and Messenger are coming together, with millions of Messenger users soon to be able to reach Messenger friends via Skype.

"This effort started with the release of Skype 6.0 for Mac and Windows a few weeks ago, which allows you to sign into Skype using a Microsoft account. Now Messenger users just need to update to the latest version of Skype, sign in using a Microsoft account, and their Messenger contacts will be there," it said.

Microsoft said it is retiring Messenger worldwide in the first quarter of 2013 except in mainland China, where Messenger will remain available.

But it pitched the virtues of Skype for Messenger users, including:

- Broader device support for all platforms, including iPad and Android tablets

- Instant messaging, video calling, and calling landlines and mobiles all in one place

- Sharing screens

- Video calling on mobile phones

- Video calling with Facebook friends

- Group video calling

Meanwhile, Microsoft said users of Skype and Messenger can merge their Skype and Messenger accounts into their Microsoft accounts.

But an article on PC World cited questions by messengers on possible issues with migration, such as the availability of certain Windows Live Messenger features and the capacity of the Skype infrastructure to sustain the new workload (http://www.pcworld.com/article/2013583/microsoft-to-close-messenger-and-consolidate-im-service-on-skype.html).

Microsoft acquired Skype in October 2011 for $8.5 billion. — TJD, GMA News

Tags: microsoft, microsoftmessenger, skype,