the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Microsoft has officially announced that it will retire Skype in May, marking the end of an era for the once-dominant video-calling platform. The company is shifting its focus to Microsoft Teams, which has become the preferred communication tool for businesses and organizations.
Skype: A Pioneer in Online Communication
Launched in 2003 by a group of Nordic engineers, Skype revolutionized how people connected across borders. The platform quickly gained popularity, reaching 10 million users within just two years.
A Timeline of Skype’s Rise and Fall
- 2005: eBay acquires Skype for $2.6 billion.
- 2009: A consortium, including Andreessen Horowitz, buys a 65% stake for $1.9 billion, valuing Skype at nearly $3 billion.
- 2011: Microsoft acquires Skype for $8.5 billion, making it its largest acquisition at the time and replacing Windows Live Messenger.
- 2016: Skype reaches its peak with 300 million monthly users.
- 2023: Usage drops to 36 million monthly users amid competition from FaceTime, WhatsApp, Slack, and Zoom.
- 2024: Microsoft announces Skype’s retirement, with a full transition to Microsoft Teams.
Why Is Microsoft Retiring Skype?
Over the years, Skype struggled to keep up with faster, more user-friendly alternatives. Platforms like Zoom and WhatsApp offered better mobile experiences, while Microsoft invested heavily in Teams for business collaboration.
The Origins of “Skype”
The name “Skype” comes from “Sky peer-to-peer”, later shortened to “Skyper.” The final name, “Skype,” was chosen after discovering that Skyper.com was already taken.
What’s Next?
With Microsoft Teams now the company’s flagship communication platform, Skype users are encouraged to migrate to Teams for video calls and messaging. Microsoft promises that Teams will offer all the key features of Skype, plus enhanced collaboration tools for personal and professional use.
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