Microsoft killed this 2-decade-old landmark service

Back in the day, when you needed to make a video call, you were most likely doing it through Skype. It was the most popular video chatting platform throughout the 2010s, and it was a cash-cow for Microsoft. However, nothing lasts forever; Microsoft has just killed off Skype. While this might be sad news for most people, Skype will live on in another form.

The break-out video calling service

Skype emerged at a time when video-calling seemed extremely futuristic. It came out back in 2003, back when the world was still captivated by the iPod’s dial wheel. Skype became a popular platform with the ability to make phone calls, along with video calls. It also had a file-sharing platform, instant messaging service, and much more.

It was soon swept up by eBay for $2.6 billion in 2005. However, the biggest shift in the winds happened when Microsoft acquired the company in 2011 for a whopping $8.5 billion. Throughout its run, the platform had a peak of 300 million monthly active users, which made it a force to be reckoned with.

Unfortunately, as more video calling platforms, like FaceTime, came out, Skype had to deal with the rising competition. By the time 2020 hit, its user base had dropped to just 13% of its peak, and we all thought that Skype was in for a renaissance. With the COVID-19 virus hitting its peak, people relied on video conferencing more than ever. However, Zoom took over the throne as the premier video calling platform, leaving Skype in the dust.

Microsoft just killed off Skype

Demand for Skype should be at an all-time low. The pandemic is behind us, and there are so many alternatives that it’s hard to stick to just one. As such, the blue-S hasn’t been doing so hot. On May 5th, we got the news that Microsoft has officially shut down Skype. The service is no longer its own entity.

This shutdown puts a cap on a 23-year-long run, which is no small feat for a single service. While Skype is no longer its own service, it will still live on. Microsoft has rolled Skype up into its Teams service. So, while you can no longer use “Skype,” its tech will still live on when you use Teams.