emirates7 - The once-popular communication platform Skype has officially been discontinued by Microsoft. Users are now being directed to transition to Microsoft Teams, specifically the consumer version of the app.
The shutdown of Skype had been anticipated for a while. XDA Developers previously uncovered hidden code in a preview version of Skype for Windows, which revealed Microsoft’s plan to end the service. The embedded message read: “Starting in May, Skype will no longer be available. Continue your calls and chats in Teams.” While Microsoft hasn’t released a formal public statement, the intent was unmistakable.
Microsoft's decision to retire Skype doesn't come as a shock. Since its $8.5 billion acquisition of the service in 2011, usage has steadily declined—especially after 2019, as Microsoft Teams and rivals like WhatsApp, iMessage, and Discord became more dominant in the voice and video communication space. Notably, Skype saw minimal uptake even during the pandemic, when demand for video conferencing surged.
Historically, Skype and Microsoft Teams coexisted within the business ecosystem. In fact, Skype’s infrastructure was instrumental in building out the more successful Teams platform.
In an effort to rejuvenate Skype, Microsoft introduced new features in recent years, including the ability to send short video messages and integration with Bing, the early version of today’s AI-powered Copilot. Despite these efforts, user growth remained stagnant. Occasional updates and patches were issued, with the final released in May 2024. Sales of Skype credits had already ceased as of December 2023.
A look back at Skype’s beginnings:
Launched in 2003, Skype quickly became a trailblazer in internet-based voice communication. It was created by Swedish entrepreneur Niklas Zennström and his Danish partner Janus Friis, the same duo behind the P2P file-sharing platform Kazaa. Initially, Skype operated on a hybrid peer-to-peer and client-based model. After Microsoft’s acquisition, it was fully transitioned to run on the company’s Azure cloud infrastructure.
The shutdown of Skype had been anticipated for a while. XDA Developers previously uncovered hidden code in a preview version of Skype for Windows, which revealed Microsoft’s plan to end the service. The embedded message read: “Starting in May, Skype will no longer be available. Continue your calls and chats in Teams.” While Microsoft hasn’t released a formal public statement, the intent was unmistakable.
Microsoft's decision to retire Skype doesn't come as a shock. Since its $8.5 billion acquisition of the service in 2011, usage has steadily declined—especially after 2019, as Microsoft Teams and rivals like WhatsApp, iMessage, and Discord became more dominant in the voice and video communication space. Notably, Skype saw minimal uptake even during the pandemic, when demand for video conferencing surged.
Historically, Skype and Microsoft Teams coexisted within the business ecosystem. In fact, Skype’s infrastructure was instrumental in building out the more successful Teams platform.
In an effort to rejuvenate Skype, Microsoft introduced new features in recent years, including the ability to send short video messages and integration with Bing, the early version of today’s AI-powered Copilot. Despite these efforts, user growth remained stagnant. Occasional updates and patches were issued, with the final released in May 2024. Sales of Skype credits had already ceased as of December 2023.
A look back at Skype’s beginnings:
Launched in 2003, Skype quickly became a trailblazer in internet-based voice communication. It was created by Swedish entrepreneur Niklas Zennström and his Danish partner Janus Friis, the same duo behind the P2P file-sharing platform Kazaa. Initially, Skype operated on a hybrid peer-to-peer and client-based model. After Microsoft’s acquisition, it was fully transitioned to run on the company’s Azure cloud infrastructure.