Office

There is no denying Microsoft’s software shake up with Windows 8 and Office.  Microsoft’s newest version of office adds many new features including Skype integration.  If you still regularly utilize Windows Live Messenger you might want to consider moving to Skype soon. It seems that Microsoft is planning to retire WLM very soon, according to sources close to the Microsoft. With Skype having many more advanced features (including land-line calling abilities) and better brand recognition Skype has been seen heavily used on shows like WWE Raw and many other sitcoms.  So there is no surprise Microsoft would push the product not to mention shareholders were speculating after the 8.5 billion dollar purchases of Skype back in May 2011. Windows Live Messenger just isn’t necessary for Microsoft going forward. Recently Skype added on to its list of supported log-in methods by allowing Microsoft and Facebook account users to log-in without needing a traditional Skype ID.  Which in my option hurt start up companies like Airtime. With Windows Phone 8, Windows 8, Office and Xbox 360 all supporting Skype naively it would not surprise me if Microsoft retired WLM sooner than later.  There has been some talk about Microsoft retiring Lync in favor of a commercial version of Skype.  Only time will tell but I think everyone is pretty sure that we can see the end of Windows Live Messenger in next few weeks.