Microsoft has begun sending out communications to users informing them that they will be discontinuing certain versions of Skype on a variety of platforms from July 1st 2017. Among the versions mentioned in the communication are those on Windows Phone 8 and 8.1, Windows RT, TV, and Messaging App for Windows 10 Mobile.
It’s important to note that Microsoft is not discontinuing the Skype app for Windows 10 Mobile, only its integrated form in the mobile operating system’s messaging app. This was a feature that allowed for Skype messages to be sent from within the phone’s messaging app as opposed to a regular SMS text message. It was never really promoted all that much by Microsoft and it’s likely many users never even used it or understood what it did. It makes sense for development on it to be dropped.
Windows Phone 8, 8.1, and Windows RT are quickly becoming obsolete operating systems so it also makes sense that Microsoft would stop supporting those platforms as well. Many Windows phone fans would have upgraded to a Windows 10 Mobile device by now (or jumped ship to an iPhone or Android device) and Windows RT never really earned itself a solid following. Overall, this announcement shouldn’t be too shocking to anyone no matter how inconvenient it may be to some.
Earlier today, Microsoft also announced the sunsetting of Skype on older versions of Linux.
Do these changes affect you? Let us know in the comments below.
