Skype

Skype is a proprietary telecommunications application operated by Skype Technologies, a division of Microsoft, best known for IP-based videotelephony, videoconferencing and voice calls.
==History==
===Early years===
Skype was founded on August 29, 2003 by Niklas Zennström, from Sweden, and Janus Friis, from Denmark.https://web.archive.org/web/20110511000725/http://about.skype.com/ The software was created by Estonians Ahti Heinla, Priit Kasesalu, Jaan Tallinn, and Toivo Annus.https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/09/skypes-secrets/ The software aims to reduce voice call costs using a P2P protocol like Kazaa.https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/09/skypes-secrets/2/ The first public beta version was released on 29 August 2003.https://www.emirates247.com/news/happy-birthday-skype-even-monkeys-use-it-now-2013-08-28-1.519060
eBay acquired Skype Technologies SA on September 12, 2005 for around US$2.5 billion, including cash, stock, and potential performance-based consideration.https://web.archive.org/web/20130502202850/http://investor.ebay.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=176402
===Microsoft acquisition===
on May 10, 2011, Microsoft acquired Skype Communications for $8.5 billion, integrating the service with its own products, and the acquisition was completed on October 13, 2011.https://web.archive.org/web/20110512044223/http://about.skype.com/press/2011/05/microsoft_to_acquire_skype.html#morehttps://www.engadget.com/2011/10/14/microsoft-finalizes-acquisition-of-skype-tony-bates-shares-his/ The company developed a dedicated client app for Windows 8 and Windows RT operating systems, which became the default messaging app for Windows 8.1. The app replaced the Windows 8 Messaging app and was pre-installed on all devices that came with or upgraded to 8.1.https://www.pcmag.com/news/314824/skype-to-come-pre-installed-on-windows-8-1 Microsoft began integrating Skype with its own products and began integrating Skype with its own products.
===Post acquisition===
Skype launched a free video messaging service on 17 June 2013 for various operating systems including Windows, Mac OS, iOS, iPadOS, Android, and BlackBerry.https://www.engadget.com/2013/06/17/skype-video-messaging-launches-free-unlimited/
From 2010 to 2019, Skype was the sixth most downloaded mobile app of the decade.https://www.cnet.com/news/10-most-downloaded-apps-of-the-decade-facebook-dominated-2010-2019/
In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a 70% increase in daily users,https://www.cnet.com/news/microsofts-skype-sees-massive-increase-in-usage-as-coronavirus-spreads/ but Skype lost a significant portion of its market share to Zoom.https://www.pcmag.com/news/zooms-success-during-the-pandemic-came-at-skypes-expense
==Trivia==
*Skype originally featured a hybrid peer-to-peer and client–server system.https://web.archive.org/web/20141207051233/http://affairstoday.co.uk/interview-jaan-tallinn-co-founder-author-skype/
*The software's name, "Skyper", was derived from "Sky peer-to-peer", but some domain names associated with "Skyper" were already taken,https://web.archive.org/web/20080109184710/http://www.eplanetventures.com/en/news/releases/pr_013006_1.html so the current title "Skype" was chosen, with available domain names.https://web.archive.org/web/20051104064354/http://share.skype.com/blog/insight/origin_of_the_name%10word_%22skype%22/
*Skype is headquartered in Luxembourg, Luxembourg.https://www.skype.com/en/about/#:~:text=Founded%20in%202003%20and%20headquartered,(NASDAQ%3A%20MSFT).&text=We%20are%20Skype!
==References==
Category:Luxembourger YouTubers
Category:Users who joined in 2005
Category:News YouTubers