messenger

Microsoft Officially Ditching Messenger, Switching Users to Skype in March

Jan 092013

On March 15, all users will be switched over to Skype, which the software giant acquired for $8.5 billion in October 2011.

“We are retiring the existing Messenger service globally … and bringing the great features of Messenger and Skype together,” Microsoft said, adding that Messenger will continue to be available in mainland China. Last November, Skype president Tony Bates confirmed in a blog post that Messenger would be shuttered in the first quarter of 2013.

The company also encouraged users to “update to Skype,” and sign in using their Microsoft account (formerly known as a “Windows Live ID”), which includes an email address and password. All Messenger contacts will be included in Skype upon sign-in, the email said.

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Facebook Releases Chat Client for Windows

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Jan 032012

Facebook now offers a desktop chat application for Windows. Like the company’s standalone mobile app, it is called Facebook Messenger, but the Windows client includes notifications and Ticker to drive users back to the site.Ticker, a lightweight version of News Feed, has included Sponsored Stories since November. A Facebook spokesperson has confirmed Ticker in the Windows application will function as it does on Facebook.com. Though whether these ads are shown on the website or a desktop client could have different effects on clickthrough rates. As Facebook reviews adoption and engagement of the new app, it will also have to consider ad performance.

via Inside Facebook · Facebook Releases Chat Client for Windows.