#33. 20 years later it’s time to say goodbye to Skype


What Happened to Skype?
Have you ever wondered what happened to Skype, the once-dominant video chat platform that seemed to vanish almost overnight? In this episode, we explore the fascinating rise and fall of Skype, a service that ...
What Happened to Skype?
Have you ever wondered what happened to Skype, the once-dominant video chat platform that seemed to vanish almost overnight? In this episode, we explore the fascinating rise and fall of Skype, a service that revolutionized global communication. From being the go-to tool for video calls to its eventual decline, we delve into the factors that contributed to its downfall and examine whether it could have maintained its leading position in the tech world.
Our guest for this episode is not specified, but the discussion is led by the podcast hosts who take us on a journey through Skype's history. They reminisce about the early days when Skype was synonymous with video chatting, and everyone used it to connect with friends and family across the globe. The hosts provide insights into Microsoft's acquisition of Skype in 2011 and discuss the strategic decisions that may have contributed to Skype's decline.
The episode provides a high-level overview of the challenges Skype faced in adapting to a rapidly changing tech landscape. Despite Microsoft's backing, Skype struggled to keep up with emerging competitors like WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, and Zoom. The hosts discuss how these platforms capitalized on the mobile and cloud trends that Skype missed. They also touch on Microsoft's shift of focus from Skype to Microsoft Teams, which ultimately became the company's flagship communication tool. Through this exploration, listeners gain a deeper understanding of how quickly technology evolves and the importance of adapting to stay relevant.
0:00:00 - Introduction and Initial Context
0:00:18 - The Rise of Skype in 2003
0:01:04 - The Acquisition by Microsoft
0:01:78 - Microsoft's Mistakes
0:02:154 - Competition Takes Over
0:03:195 - Discord and Zoom Add Pressure
0:04:251 - The 2020 Pandemic: A Missed Opportunity
0:04:277 - Microsoft and the Rise of Teams
0:05:330 - The Official End of Skype
0:06:363 - Skype's Legacy
0:07:437 - What Users Will Miss
0:07:462 - Final Thoughts and the Future of Communication
This episode is brought to you by Patrick DE CARVALHO and the production studio "Je ne perds jamais." Let's speak Web, innovation and technologies and explore the future together.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickdecarvalho/