Stories with Tag Skype

• May 5, Microsoft's Skype will shut down for good

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  Posted: 2025-02-28 14:03:57

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  Microsoft is shutting down its classic Skype for Business Online service on May 5, 2025. The company has been encouraging users to migrate to Microsoft Teams, its newer communication and collaboration platform, for several years. While consumer Skype will remain unaffected, businesses still using the legacy Skype for Business platform are urged to complete their transition to Teams before the deadline to avoid disruption. Microsoft highlights Teams' enhanced features and integration with other Microsoft 365 services as key benefits of the switch.

  On May 5, 2025, Microsoft will officially discontinue its long-standing communication platform, Skype for Business, bringing an end to an era for many businesses that have relied on the software for their communication needs. While the consumer version of Skype will remain operational, the enterprise-focused Skype for Business, also known as Skype for Business Online, will cease functioning, compelling organizations to migrate to alternative solutions. Microsoft has been actively encouraging this transition for some time, promoting its successor platform, Microsoft Teams, as a more modern and comprehensive communication and collaboration hub.

  This termination of service is not entirely unexpected, as Microsoft has been telegraphing this move for several years, giving businesses ample time to plan and execute their migration strategies. Microsoft emphasizes that Teams offers a superset of Skype for Business's capabilities, including instant messaging, voice and video calling, online meetings, and screen sharing. Furthermore, Teams integrates more tightly with other Microsoft 365 applications and services, providing a more streamlined and unified user experience within the Microsoft ecosystem.

  While the shutdown date is firmly set, Microsoft is providing various resources and support options to assist businesses in navigating the transition. This includes documentation, online tutorials, and dedicated support channels to address any questions or challenges that may arise during the migration process. Microsoft argues that Teams represents a significant upgrade in terms of functionality, scalability, and integration, positioning it as a superior alternative to Skype for Business in the evolving landscape of modern workplace communication. Therefore, this shutdown, while potentially disruptive for some, is presented by Microsoft as a necessary step towards a more integrated and efficient future for business communication.

  • Skype
  • Microsoft
  • shutdown
  • end of life
  • EOL
  • VoIP
  • Messaging
  • Communication
  • Software
  • Technology
  • May 5
  • 2025
  • Ars Technica

  Summary of Comments ( 5 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43205677

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News commenters largely lament the loss of Skype, focusing on its previously excellent quality and reliability, particularly for international calls. Many express frustration with Microsoft's handling of the platform, believing they intentionally let it degrade after acquisition. Some suggest Microsoft prioritized Teams integration to the detriment of Skype's core functionality. Alternatives like Zoom, Teams, and Discord are discussed, but several users feel none fully replicate Skype's specific strengths, like its robust handling of poor connections. A few commenters also reminisce about Skype's history and innovative features, noting its pioneering role in video calling and screen sharing.

  The Hacker News post titled "May 5, Microsoft's Skype will shut down for good" has generated a number of comments discussing the shutdown of Skype and its implications. Several commenters express a sense of nostalgia for Skype's early days, recalling its role as a disruptive force in telecommunications and its superior call quality compared to alternatives at the time. They lament the decline in quality and functionality they perceive to have occurred after Microsoft's acquisition.

  Several commenters attribute Skype's downfall to Microsoft's mismanagement, suggesting that feature bloat, integration with other Microsoft services, and a shift in focus away from core functionalities led to its decline. The integration with Teams is specifically mentioned as a potential motivator for the shutdown, with some speculating that Microsoft is trying to consolidate its communication platforms.

  Some users discuss their continued use of Skype, highlighting specific features they appreciate and will miss, such as screen sharing and group video calls. They express concern about the transition to alternative platforms and the potential loss of established group chats and contacts. A few users suggest alternative platforms they plan to migrate to, including Zoom, Discord, and Telegram.

  There is also discussion of the broader trend of established platforms being superseded by newer alternatives, with Skype cited as another example of this phenomenon. Some commenters discuss the network effect and how difficult it is for even established players to maintain their position in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. The comment section also touches upon the issue of platform dependence and the challenges users face when a service they rely on is discontinued.

  A smaller number of comments express indifference to the shutdown, indicating they haven't used Skype in years or have already transitioned to other platforms. Some users question whether the shutdown will be truly "for good," speculating about potential future iterations or niche uses for the technology.

• Microsoft is reportedly killing Skype after 14 years of neglect

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  Posted: 2025-02-28 05:31:49

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  Reports suggest Microsoft is planning to shut down Skype for Business Server in 2025, although the consumer Skype app will seemingly remain. After acquiring Skype in 2011, Microsoft gradually shifted focus to its Teams platform, integrating many of Skype's features and positioning Teams as the preferred communication tool for both business and personal use. This has led to a perceived neglect of Skype, with limited updates and dwindling user engagement, ultimately paving the way for its eventual demise in the enterprise space.

  Rumors are circulating, originating from a post on the often-reliable Microsoft insider site, Windows Central, that Microsoft is preparing to sunset its once-ubiquitous communication platform, Skype. After 14 years under Microsoft's stewardship, the application, which pioneered video calling for the masses and enjoyed a period of near-universal adoption, is purportedly facing its final chapter. The article paints a picture of prolonged neglect by Microsoft, suggesting that the company's focus shifted away from Skype following its acquisition and the subsequent rise of its own workplace collaboration platform, Microsoft Teams. This alleged neglect manifested in a lack of significant feature updates and improvements, leading to a perceived stagnation of the platform while competitors, such as Zoom and the aforementioned Teams, innovated and captured market share. The article implies that Microsoft has essentially cannibalized Skype by promoting Teams as its preferred communication solution, leaving Skype to languish without the resources and attention necessary to compete effectively in the modern landscape of online communication. While no official statement from Microsoft has corroborated these claims, the article points to the absence of substantial Skype updates as circumstantial evidence, suggesting a gradual phase-out is underway. Should these rumors prove true, it would mark the end of an era for a platform that once revolutionized how people connect globally, showcasing the cyclical nature of the tech industry where even pioneering services can eventually become obsolete in the face of evolving user needs and corporate strategies. The article posits that Skype, despite its historical significance, may soon join the ranks of other once-popular software relegated to the annals of technological history.

  • Microsoft
  • Skype
  • VoIP
  • Communication
  • Software
  • Technology
  • Discontinuation
  • Product Lifecycle
  • Business
  • Teams
  • Messaging
  • Video Conferencing
  • Chat

  Summary of Comments ( 249 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43202052

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users generally agree that Skype's decline is attributable to Microsoft's mismanagement. Several commenters point to missed opportunities, like failing to capitalize on mobile messaging and neglecting the platform's UI/UX, leading to a clunky and less desirable experience compared to competitors. Some users reminisced about Skype's early dominance in video calling, while others criticized the integration of Lync/SfB, arguing it made Skype more complex and less appealing for personal use. The forced migration of Skype users to Teams is also a common complaint, with many expressing frustration over the loss of features and a perceived degradation in call quality. A few commenters suggest the downfall began with the eBay acquisition and subsequent sale to Microsoft, highlighting a series of poor decisions that ultimately led to Skype's demise. There's a sense of disappointment in what Skype could have been, coupled with resignation to its inevitable fate.

  The Hacker News post titled "Microsoft is reportedly killing Skype after 14 years of neglect" has generated a number of comments discussing the news. Many commenters reflect on Skype's history and decline.

  Several users reminisce about Skype's early days, when it was a revolutionary tool for free international calls and video conferencing. They highlight how it disrupted the telecommunications industry, offering a significantly cheaper alternative to traditional phone calls. The quality, despite occasional issues, was considered groundbreaking at the time.

  A recurring theme in the comments is the perceived mismanagement of Skype after its acquisition by Microsoft. Commenters argue that Microsoft neglected Skype in favor of its own communication platforms like Teams. They point to features that were removed or never implemented, and a general sense that the platform stagnated. Some suggest that Microsoft intentionally let Skype languish to push users towards Teams.

  The transition to Teams is also a significant topic of discussion. Some users express frustration with being forced to switch to a platform they find less user-friendly or suitable for their needs. Others argue that Teams is a superior product, offering more features and better integration with other Microsoft services. A few comments mention the perceived complexity of Teams and the difficulty of transitioning for less tech-savvy users.

  Several commenters discuss the security implications of using Skype, with some suggesting that the platform has become less secure over time. There are also comments about the increasing prevalence of spam and bots on Skype.

  Some users express sadness at the news of Skype's potential demise, viewing it as the end of an era. Others are more pragmatic, accepting that technology evolves and that Skype has simply been superseded by newer, better alternatives.

  A few comments offer alternative perspectives, suggesting that Skype still has a niche user base and serves specific purposes well. For example, some users point to its continued use in certain industries or regions.

  Overall, the comments on Hacker News reflect a mix of nostalgia, frustration, and acceptance regarding the reported decline of Skype. Many users feel that Microsoft mishandled the platform, while others recognize the changing landscape of communication technology.