Microsoft Live aims to kill off Skype

MICROSOFT TODAY launches its final version of Windows Live Messenger software, as it lines up to challenge VoIP telephonist Skype.

The move will aim to migrate company's claimed 240 million MSN Messenger users to the all-singing, all-dancing comms service.

The Live service allows voice calls between a PC and regular telephone numbers as well as voice calls between PCs.

Skype has boomed in the VoIP telephony market thanks to its silly name and the software's ease of use. The service claims over 100 million unique registered users.

An initial version of Windows Live Messenger was released in December to a limited group of beta testers, and has been available as a public beta since May. From today, the scrap gets serious.

Microsoft's Live software initiative will encompass around 20 different applications as the Vole moves to tie-up the PC-based communications. µ

L'Inq
Windows Live