Facebook to inherit Microsoft's @messenger Twitter handle

While Microsoft is retiring its Messenger instant messaging service by end-October, the software giant is not quite shutting down Messenger's Twitter handle @messenger.

Instead, Microsoft's Messenger team is giving away the @messenger handle to Facebook, whose Messenger app is powered by another Microsoft product - Skype.

"Now that messenger is part of @Skype, on Sept 30th, the @Messenger twitter account will transition to @Facebook. Thank you all for your support," the Messenger team tweeted.

Last month, Microsoft said it is pulling the plug on MSN Messenger (Windows Live Messenger), after Oct. 31.

After Oct. 31, Chinese Messenger users "will need to use Skype, bringing an end to 15 years of the service," it said.

MSN Messenger was launched in 1999 to rival AOL’s AIM service. — Joel Locsin/JDS, GMA News