Skype closes shop in May 2025

Tech, TV, Mobile, Internet and Geek Corner
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Microsoft is shutting down Skype next May 5,2025.

Anyone still uses Skype?

As geriatric millenial, I’m a paying user. I pay for a monthly subscription that allows me call 1 hour to phones back home per month.

I also pay for an annual subscription for a virtual phone number back home. So, family only calls a local number (a virtual fixed phone) and I get the call in my my phone anywhere around the world (provided I have at least 4G data).

I hope the virtual phone number is just ported to MS Teams and I don’t have to look for an alternative solution.

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I didn’t even know it was still going! Now you remind me of ICQ :wink:

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yeahhhh, ICQ. Oh dear, is this gonna be nostalgic Friday?
The oh-oh was definitely more woke than the sexist whistle of the whats-app :grin:

I thought skype was long gone too. Why would someone pay for it (wasn’t the idea not to?) to call a normal landline - and only for 1 hour a month?
The virtual number sounds pretty good though but does your family live that far out in the sticks, not receiving Internet, Axa?
2004 entire Nigeria - no food but a handy - was reachable via mobile phones.

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I still use it as my sister prefers it. Now encouraging her to move to Teams.
Never paid for it though.

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It’s the only way to call free numbers in Mexico (800 numbers), that includes banks, some public offices, airlines, etc. It’s ironic because calling free numbers don’t use the allocated 60 mins. Anyway, no subscription no access.

Also, to tell my mom call me back hahaha

Parents use smartphones as old phones and cameras, nothing else. So, easier to get the virtual phone instead of having to convince them to use whatsapp or Signal. This conversation, or conversations, will be more taxing than any virtual phone number. And, it gives them security through obscurity. Less technology, less fraud. Just look at the news of dumb people being defrauded over smartphones.

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that makes sense. Learnt something - too late though :grin:

So now how will you keep in touch with your parents cheaply? Any other companies offering virtual phone-numbers?

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Today is a great day to find about that :wink:

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Within your research, ask AI, it might mention a solution you never heard of.

It gave me this:
With Skype being phased out, there are several other communication platforms you can use, depending on your needs:

  1. Zoom - Popular for video conferencing, especially in work and educational settings.
  2. Microsoft Teams - A great alternative if you’re already using Microsoft Office 365; it integrates seamlessly with the suite.
  3. Google Meet - Free for anyone with a Google account, and widely used for meetings.
  4. WhatsApp - Great for text and voice calls, as well as video calls, especially for mobile users.
  5. Discord - Ideal for gamers, but it also works great for group chats and video calls.
  6. Slack - Another solid choice for work-related communication, especially for teams and projects.
  7. Telegram - Known for privacy and security, supports text, voice, and video calls.

Which one works best depends on whether you’re looking for personal or business use. Would you like more details on any of these options?

“Telegram known for privacy and security” :rofl: :rofl:

Okay, that wasn’t much help, sorry.

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Messenger is great for family video calls.

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Even AOL still exists. At least as a brand and/or branch of the parent company.

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I had an almost-dumb flipphone for an extended while as backup. It had a browser and Whatsapp pre-installed and that was pretty much it, no option to install additional apps. It wasn’t that long ago, something like this might be useful for cases such as your relatives (despite the ongoing Migros overhaul). I bought it cheap from Migros, around 50.- plus the SIM, brand was emporia if memory serves.

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I use w
WhatsApp for personal and skype when i want to call an international business number. Do government offices, businesses accept whatsup in general. Which is the best Skype alternate of those listed for business calls. I have skype prepaid, very cheap and reliable, sorry to see it go.

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Signal and Teams. Teams as I have a work account.

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I can ditto that. It is the only platform I know of for calling a landline short of having to place an international phone call. Anybody know of anything else that can do that?