Windows 8 Skype update now merges with Messenger contacts

While Microsoft may have announced its intentions to murder off Messenger, the corpse of this once great IM will at the very least live on in Skype. A new update to Skype for Windows 8 lets users add Messenger contacts, group search contact, better video calling capabilities. The Skype for Windows 8 update also addresses a ton of bugs.

2013 will be the final year of Messenger, as Microsoft quietly integrates it into Skype. After spending US$8.5-billion on Skype, it’s nice to see Microsoft finally stepping up to deliver some quality updates to very expensive purchase.

It’s not as if Messenger is a dying service. Quite the contrary. There are still over 100-million registered MSN Messenger accounts, but this can’t compete with the 633-million plus registered Skype users. Combine this previously popular messaging service with the current hotness and throw in group calls, that’s the way to truly  keep Messenger alive. Look to Q1 2013 for the update.