14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft announced earlier this year that classic Skype would be discontinued in September, but due to public backlash, the company has decided to delay the demise of the app for a little longer.
While no specifics were provided as to when Skype version 7.0 could go dark, Microsoft explains in an update to the original announcement that based on customer feedback, it has decided to extend the deadline to an unmentioned date.
“Based on customer feedback, we are extending support for Skype 7 (Skype classic) for some time. Our customers can continue to use Skype classic until then,” Microsoft says. “Thanks for all your comments – we are listening. We are working to bring all the features you’ve asked for into Skype 8.”
While Microsoft hasn’t offered a new ETA regarding the demise of Skype classic, this message appears to suggest that the app would be discontinued when its most popular features are integrated into Skype 8.
No word on the new deadline
Needless to say, while Microsoft says that users can stick with Skype classic for now, this is by no means a long-term option. The simple fact that the company already planned to kill off the app, corroborated with this unspecified deadline for retiring Skype classic, means that users should move to Skype 8 sooner or later anyway.
Microsoft originally acknowledged that leaving Skype classic behind would be a difficult process, but explained that moving to new services and technologies was necessary.
“This is done to ensure that all customers have the best possible Skype experience, and that there are no quality or reliability issues resulting from old technology and new technology interoperating. We know change can be hard, so we’re working to make the update as simple as possible,” it said.
It remains to be seen how the transition to Skype 8 advances now that support of version 7 has been extended, and more information regarding the new deadline is expected to be shared in the coming weeks.