WEB DESK: Microsoft has declared that it will be shutting down Skype, the popular communication platform that has connected friends, families, and businesses for over 20 years. The decision marks the end of an era for a service that has played a pivotal role in the evolution of online communication since its launch in 2003.
Skype will ring for the last time on 5 May as owner Microsoft retires the two-decade-old internet calling service that redefined how people connect across borders.
Skype had emerged as one of the most popular Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) platforms of all time, and was acquired by Microsoft in 2011 for a whopping $8.5 billion. Since then, the tech giant has redesigned Skype a couple of times to take on iMessage and tried to integrate it with its in-house products like Windows, the now discontinued Windows phones, and Xbox. First launched in 2003.
Since its acquisition, Microsoft has tried to revive Skype by experimenting and rolling out new features like Skype Clips and even integrating Copilot AI last year. But after the company failed to popularise the service during the COVID-19 pandemic, the platform has remained largely neglected. Microsoft, however, did use Skype to build Teams, its new service designed to ease communication for enterprises.
