Microsoft is dropping its instant-messaging program and forcing most users to switch to Skype.
Maintaining
Windows Live Messenger made less sense after Microsoft Corp. bought
Skype for $8.5 billion last year. A new version of Skype released a few
weeks ago allows users to sign in with a Microsoft account. By merging
the two services, people won’t have to maintain two separate contact
lists.
Microsoft said much has changed in how people communicate. There’s more use of text messaging and social networking.
Microsoft
said that Messenger users, who switch to Skype, will get benefits such
as the ability to call landline and mobile phones and better support on
mobile devices.
Except for mainland China, Messenger will be discontinued worldwide after the first quarter of 2013.