Microsoft To Drop Windows Instant Messenger In 2013
Say ta-ta to long iconic instant messaging chat tool Windows Live Messenger. Microsoft is set to retire it come 2013 and encourages its users to use the voice-over Internet Protocol Skype.
According to Microsoft’s President of Skype Division Tony Bates, the two software programs are joining together. Messenger will retire in every country of the world except mainland China in first half of 2013.
In May 2011, Microsoft purchased Skype for $8.5 billion. Many industry experts, at the time, wondered by Microsoft would spend so much money for Skype. However, Kelly Clay, Forbes contributor, said the pricey acquisition makes a bit more sense.
While Microsoft can use Skype to provide users with a better experience, many folks are sure to miss the Windows instant messaging tool. TechCrunch wrote people who grew up in the era before Facebook, Twitter and things of this nature will miss this messenger. After all, people had grown accustomed to the first social activity – instant messaging – in the form of Windows Live (MSN Messenger), ICQ and AIM. However, Microsoft understands that the world has moved forward in its services and platforms.
Windows Live Messenger was first released in 1999, and since that time, the numbers of users has dropped. Since 2010, TechCrunch said the instant messaging program lost about 200 million users. However, Skype currently has over 280 million users. And, Tech Crunch noted that usage of Skype has increased significantly during the last year.
Brian Blau with the consultancy firm Gartner said companies that have competing products that may lead to cannibalization do better when they focus on just one product. Skype’s services can provide users a number of experiences in the living room – TV, X-Box – where Messenger cannot.
Online News Heard Now
Short URL: http://www.onlinenewsheardnow.com/?p=1377
Posted by