Once at the forefront of communication, Skype is shutting down after 23 years. The OG just could not compete with the rise of FaceTime, Zoom and Microsoft’s new favorite child: Teams.
There was a time when Skype felt like an incredible new thing. Free video calls? From and to anywhere in the world? On dial-up internet? It was magic. Skype changed how we connected: long-distance relationships, business calls, expat families, global friendships. For the users, it was the beginning of modern day communications.
Also Read | Meta Joins The AI Race With New Meta AI App
But like many pioneers, Skype struggled to evolve.
The UI lagged, the branding felt stuck in the past. And when the world changed and needed seamless connection most (during the pandemic), Skype just was not the right platform anymore.
Newcomers took over: Zoom for business, FaceTime for friends and family.
Even its own people turned their back on Skype. Microsoft launched Teams and put all its might behind the new favorite child.
But we shall remember Skype and bid it the farewell it deserves. Thank you Skype for making face-to-face digital communication normal, and making webcams feel a lot less cringe. We will remember you and your iconic call sound.
You were ahead of your time, until time caught up.