Microsoft to shut down Windows Phone's 'Rooms Group chat' feature in March

Washington, Feb 19 : Microsoft has reportedly announced its decision to end support for its Windows Phone's Rooms group chat, beginning next month.

The company said in an email that the move was aimed at making way for new features in Windows 10 that will enable users to keep in touch with friends and family, reported The Verge.

Rooms group chats were extension to the People hub that allowed users to hold conversations, share images, notes and calendars in private groups.

Windows Phone 8 users will be able to view their existing "Rooms" but will not be able to create new ones or send any messages from March. The group chat feature will be removed entirely for those who update to Windows 10 Technical Preview for phones.

The move may annoy users who had gotten used to using rooms but it was on the cards as Microsoft's plans to put its software on various operating systems, especially when it owns GroupMe , a robust but rarely promoted cross-platform messaging service, was not being fulfilled as the feature relied on all its members using Windows Phones for full functionality. (ANI)