Microsoft makes it official, Skype and Windows Live Messenger are now one

Just recently, we learned that Microsoft had plans to retire Windows Live Messenger in favor of Skype. Now, Microsoft has officially announced that Windows Live Messenger and Skype will now be one. Microsoft is now encouraging all Messenger users to update to the latest version of Skype.

“We’ve got good news to share! Skype and Messenger are coming together. Millions of Messenger users will be able to reach their Messenger friends on Skype. By updating to Skype, Messenger users can instant message and video call their Messenger friends,” Microsoft stated in an official Skype blog post. Over at the Windows Blog, Microsoft announced, “Today, we’ve announced on the Skype blog that we are now encouraging all Messenger users to update by downloading the latest version of Skype. In the coming months, we will retire the Messenger apps for all regions worldwide except for mainland China.” Microsoft’s goal is to deliver the best communications experience for everyone and making things simple for users while improving overall experience. With Skype, Messenger users will have broader device support including the iPad and Android tablets, Instant messaging, video calling, and calling landlines and mobiles all in one place, sharing screens, video calling on mobile phones/Facebook friends, and group video calling. So there you have it. It’s been 12 years since the first version of Messenger was released and now it is retiring in favor of Skype.