Microsoft To Discontinue Google, Facebook Chat From Outlook

(RTTNews) - Microsoft will drop support for Google and Facebook chat in outlook.com in the next few days. In an email to outlook customers, Microsoft cited Google's plan to discontinue the chat protocol as the reason. However, no reason has been given for the removal of Facebook chat.

Further, Microsoft suggested that customers try Skype for Outlook.com chat, voice and video calling to keep in touch with friends and family. Google Talk, an easy-to-use messaging and chatting application in virtual real time, has been in high demand since its launch in May 2013. Microsoft, in its latest update, has added Skype group chats to its Office Online.

Skype, which allows instant voice communication, was acquired by Microsoft in May 2011 for $8.5 billion. The software maker had discontinued its Windows Live Messenger to make way for Skype in late 2012. Skype is currently available in Outlook.com, People, Calender or OnDrive. It can be made available on Windows desktop, Win 8 Computers, Mac, Linux, Windows Phone 8, iPhone and iPads, as well as Android Phones and tablets. Recently, in a promotional deal, Microsoft offered 100 GB of free OneDrive storage, for current Dropbox users.