Microsoft to Reportedly Discontinue Skype in May
Skype, the video calling platform that enjoyed significant popularity in the early 2000s, may be nearing its end. While the service is no longer as widely used as it once was, Microsoft claims that approximately 36 million people still use Skype daily to connect with friends, family, and colleagues.
According to a report from XDA, the latest preview version of Skype contains a hidden text string stating, “Starting in May, Skype will no longer be available, Continue your calls and chats in Teams.” The publication also notes that this message is followed by another stating that some users’ contacts have already migrated to Teams free.
Microsoft has yet to make an official announcement. However, the Redmond-based company has seemingly hinted at decreased interest in Skype over the last few months. In December of the previous year, Microsoft ceased selling credits for Skype numbers, which had enabled users to make calls to any location.
Initially launched in 2003, Skype became one of the most popular Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) platforms. Microsoft acquired the service in 2011 for a substantial $8.5 billion. Since then, the tech giant has redesigned Skype multiple times, attempting to compete with iMessage and integrate it with its in-house products such as Windows, discontinued Windows Phones, and Xbox.
In recent years, Microsoft has sought to revitalize Skype with experimentation and through the release of new features like Skype Clips, even integrating Copilot AI last year. However, after the company failed to boost the platform’s popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, Skype has largely been neglected.
Microsoft did, however, utilize Skype’s foundation to build Teams, its new service designed to facilitate communication for enterprises.
