Microsoft officially announces the launch of Windows 11 in a virtual event. Across all the new features and updates, two related features captured attention.
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Microsoft Teams, the video-calling app which witnessed a massive boom during the pandemic, is now set to be pre-installed and integrated into Windows 11. However, Skype, the once considered future of communication according to Microsoft, will no longer be.
Ten years ago, Microsoft purchased Skype for $8.5bn, their biggest acquisition which raised various questions regarding its worth. Microsoft’s decision was based on the fact that Skype had hundreds of millions of users and had been downloaded over one billion times.
Microsoft’s Chief, Steve Balmer had stated, “Together we will create the future of real-time communications.” Initially, the numbers were substantial, and the app was integrated into every new computer.
However, as half a decade passed, numerous users complained about the app updates, poor performance, and design. During this same time, mobile messaging apps like Facebook Messenger and Whatsapp garnered great popularity. Skype’s unique proposition of video calling was made readily available by these new applications.
Despite frequent updates, Skype was losing its edge, and its performance was dwindling. At the same time, Microsoft was working on its business chat app, Microsoft Teams, which focused more on modern technology and was launched in 2017.
Skype witnessed a 70% growth to around 40 million people a day, but this wasn’t enough compared to its competitors. However, Skype isn’t being removed or entirely killed off as it will be available in the Microsoft store for users who wish to download it.
