<p>Microsoft is planning to retire Windows Live Messenger and make Skype its IM service, according to a rumour. The Verge has learned through "several sources" that Windows Live Messenger will be ditched in the coming months, and that an announcement could be made as soon as next week.</p><p>Skype, which was bought by Microsoft in 2011, already offers an IM service, and Microsoft has been largely running that through Windows Live Messenger; around 80 percent of Skype IMs sent in recent months have been handled by Windows Live Messenger.</p><p>With Skype being billed as such a major part of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 (it's integrated into the Start screen with a Live Tile), this move seems like a logical one from Microsoft. But we can't help feel a little sad that one of the oldest and most popular IM services since IM began is on its way to the knacker's yard.</p><p>[The Verge via stuff.tv]</p><p><a href="http://stuffmideast.com/2012/11/19/143303/skype-to-give-windows-live-messenger-the-boot/">Keep reading...</a></p>