- Facebook takes aim at SMS with Messenger update As the humble SMS - short message service - celebrated its 20th birthday earlier this week, its future is far from certain. Facebook today released an update to its Messenger app for Android that allows users to message each other without the need for a Facebook account - something that's sure to accelerate SMS's demise.
- Microsoft shutters Windows Live Messenger, migration to Skype begins Microsoft, as many expected, will shutter WIndows Live Messenger in early 2013, instead beginning a process of migrating the "millions" of existing Messenger users to recently purchased communication service Skype.