What does MS retiring WLM/MSN actually mean?
- Thread starter ubersonic
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Caporegime
Given that the Windows 8 Modern UI "messaging" app connects to the WLM service, as does the new Skype client, as well as all the Windows Phone 7.5/7.8/8 devices, I doubt they will be closing down the entire messaging platform.
Likely they will do what happened with Windows Messenger 4.7 and MSN Messenger clients, and gradually phase out which clients can connect to the service. I'd imagine that the Windows Live Messenger clients will start to drop off the service.
Likely they will do what happened with Windows Messenger 4.7 and MSN Messenger clients, and gradually phase out which clients can connect to the service. I'd imagine that the Windows Live Messenger clients will start to drop off the service.
Caporegime
Not really. Skype is overkill as a client if all you want is IM between desktop and mobile. The WLM platform is a great competitor to the likes of iMessage or gTalk. If Microsoft really though that Skype was an alternative, they wouldn't have had the Skype client connect to the WLM service, and they wouldn't have introduced WLM as the backbone of their IM service on Windows 8 / Windows Phone, they would have simply used Skype.
Nah, I have both and still use MSN for IM, Skype has come along well but its not really on the same level as MSN yet (feature wise or quality), and MSN is actually still the most popular chat software out there.
As title, does this just mean they will never release another version of WLM/MSN (not a problem as I stil use 2009 as 2011 sucks) or that they are shutting the service down?
Thank you.
Ever tried Pidgin?
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A/S/L
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What features aren't in Skype?
I only use it for messaging and video calls so not really missed anything.
The way you share images in Windows Messenger is better than in Skype I think, the way the image pops up in the chat window rather than having to save it.
Soldato
Pfft, I miss Windows Messenger.
There's no reference to 'Live Messenger' on Windows 8 or Windows Phone. They connect to it, but it's just called 'Messaging' or 'Messenger'. Switching to Skype should be a subtle enough change - might even just be back-end with no input needed from the user.
From a branding point of view, making Skype the communications platform from Microsoft certainly makes sense. It's more consistent.
From a branding point of view, making Skype the communications platform from Microsoft certainly makes sense. It's more consistent.
Soldato
Soldato
Since the moment they purchased Skype, WLM was history. There was never room for Skype and WLM to coexist.
WLM has also proven very difficult to monetise.
WLM is only relevant to those of us using the internet from the mid to late nineties.
WLM has also proven very difficult to monetise.
WLM is only relevant to those of us using the internet from the mid to late nineties.
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Don
I wish they would make the chat side of Skype better, needs to be much more like Pidgin
It's similar to how MSN used to be.
It's similar to how MSN used to be.
Man of Honour
I wonder how this will affect MS Lync?
Caporegime
I can't see this "shutting down" of the WLM platform actually involving the back end of the service being retired.
As I've said already too many just released (or due to be released!) products utilize the WLM protocols, Lync included. Most of the current documentation for Lync 2013 has changed to state "Skype Federation" now rather than WLM federation, but I'll bet anything that the back end functions remain the same (otherwise MS wouldn't have wasted 12 months getting Skype to communicate with WLM clients).
Soldato
Still use live messenger at work
I work remotely and it's the best way to have a real time conversation with a member of staff in the office, yes I could use email, but messenger is instant - good for passing ideas about problems back and forth
I've not liked the new versions in recent years with more and more features, in fact one version just hogged my cpu for no apparent reason
Probably just move to skype in the end I guess
I work remotely and it's the best way to have a real time conversation with a member of staff in the office, yes I could use email, but messenger is instant - good for passing ideas about problems back and forth
I've not liked the new versions in recent years with more and more features, in fact one version just hogged my cpu for no apparent reason
Probably just move to skype in the end I guess
Soldato
I doubt it will. It might mean a redesign and change to the way it work in future iterations, but the functionality may just get built into Outlook and other Office type apps.
Hope they sort a Lync server out for you in the next 5 months then
Man of Honour
Hope they sort a Lync server out for you in the next 5 months then
I'm already half way through planning a Lync 2013 implementation in the new year
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I doubt it will. It might mean a redesign and change to the way it work in future iterations, but the functionality may just get built into Outlook and other Office type apps.
Hope they sort a Lync server out for you in the next 5 months then
Skype announces new 'In the Workplace' platform for small businesses - http://engt.co/SFQCvQ