Microsoft To Pull The Plug On Skype Soon: Report

Microsoft's video calling service Skype, which revolutionised online communication in the early 2000s, appears to be nearing its end despite still maintaining a user base of 36 million daily active users (DAUs), according to a report by XDA Developers.

The tech publication has discovered hidden text strings in the latest Skype preview version indicating a likely shutdown: "Starting in May, Skype will no longer be available. Continue your calls and chats in Teams." 

Another message suggests users are already transitioning: "...of your friends have already moved to Teams free."

While Microsoft hasn't made an official announcement about Skype's fate, the company has shown diminishing interest in the platform. 

Notably, in December, Microsoft discontinued selling credits for Skype numbers, which had allowed users to place calls to any location globally.

Launched in 2003, Skype became one of the most successful Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) platforms ever created. 

Microsoft acquired the service in 2011 for $8.5 billion and subsequently attempted multiple redesigns to compete with services like iMessage while integrating it across the Microsoft ecosystem including Windows, the now-discontinued Windows phones, and Xbox.

Recent years have seen Microsoft attempt to revive Skype through features such as Skype Clips and Copilot AI integration. 

However, after failing to capitalise on the video conferencing boom during the COVID-19 pandemic, the platform has received minimal attention. Microsoft appears to have leveraged Skype's technology to develop Teams, its enterprise-focused communication platform that now seems poised to replace its predecessor entirely.