Audio By Carbonatix
Microsoft is shutting down Skype, the internet-based phone and video service that was once the dominant way of staying connected in the mid 2000s.
Skype will “no longer be available” to use starting in May, the company confirmed on X, telling users that their log-in information can be used on Microsoft Teams’ free tier in the “coming days.”
Skype’s shutdown comes 14 years after Microsoft bought the service for $8.5 billion in cash, marking the company’s largest ever acquisition at the time. Microsoft integrated the service into its other products, such as Office and it’s ill-fated mobile operating service Windows Phone.
Skype’s popularity has faded in recent years, despite a pandemic bounce that lifted other competing products, including Zoom, Google Meet and Cisco WebEx.
Skype has also faced increased competition over the last decade and a half from apps like Apple’s FaceTime and Meta’s WhatsApp. Plus, Microsoft has been investing heavily in Teams, which offers many of the same services.
Skype launched in 2003 in Estonia and quickly caught on as a way to make free calls worldwide, a notable perk considering international calling on traditional phones used to be expensive.
The service quickly became popular, leading eBay to buy it in 2005 for $2.6 billion. However, the partnership did not work out, and eBay sold its 65% stake in Skype to an investor group for $1.9 billion in 2009 before Microsoft bought it in 2011.
Latest Stories
-
GoldBod commits GH¢35m to reclaim galamsey-damaged Tano Nimri Forest Reserve
4 minutes -
Afenyo-Markin reflects on loneliness of public service, says survival is largely spiritual
11 minutes -
Achimota Court designated to handle petroleum diversion cases – NPA CEO
19 minutes -
Bekwai court jails mine worker 14 years for defiling 8-year-old girl
24 minutes -
CHASS conference calls for collective action to tackle indiscipline in schools
28 minutes -
Oil edges down as investors weigh possible US sanctions on ‘shadow fleet’
41 minutes -
Netflix names former Disney executive Peter Rice as new content chief as Bajaria departs
51 minutes -
India’s ‘cockroach’ protesters set to return despite police crackdown
59 minutes -
Porn showing choking or incest to be banned from early November, government says
1 hour -
Russell Brand accuser says he turned ‘monster-like’ before alleged rape
1 hour -
US police identify remains of man found in barrel in shrinking reservoir
1 hour -
My uncle told me I will never make it in music – Lojay
2 hours -
Martinez apologises for outburst and fined by Man Utd
2 hours -
Infantino apologises to FIFA Council – but told he is still not fit to lead
2 hours -
Southgate does not see return to Premier League management
2 hours