Microsoft to retire Messenger instant messaging service

Microsoft to retire Messenger instant messaging serviceSoftware giant, Microsoft has said that its Messenger instant messaging software is set to go offline on March 15 and advised the users to update to Skype service using the same account.

The Redmond, Washington-based technology giant had acquired Skype for $8.5 billion in 2011 and the company has been integrating the popular telephony service into its own services. The company sent an email to its users urging them to update to the new services soon. Microsoft had announced earlier that it will retire its Messenger service and merge users with Skype.

"You'll be able to instant message and video chat, just like before, and also discover new ways of staying in touch with Skype on your mobile and tablet," the company said in the message to the users.

The company began the transformation process in the previous year with the release of Skype 6.0 software that started allowing users to log into online communication service using Microsoft accounts. The messenger service will go offline in all the courtiers except in China.

Skype offers video calls as well as calls to mobile phones from computers and also allows them to connect to their contacts on social networking site, Facebook.