Farewell, Skype: Microsoft Calls Time on the Iconic App

by News Editor

May 5, 2025

Everything good comes to an end. As of May 5, Microsoft has ended support for Skype, nearly 15 years after acquiring the European VoIP provider from eBay for $8.5 billion.

Key Facts

Jeff Teper, President of Collaborative Apps and Platforms at Microsoft, announced the decision to cease the service, aiming to optimize user communication products.
Once a pioneering platform for HD voice and video calls, Skype was an early leader in online communication.
Skype, initially developed by Skype Technologies, was acquired by eBay in 2005.
Despite surpassing 400 million users in 2008, Skype began losing its competitive edge.
In 2011, Microsoft acquired Skype for $8.5 billion, paving the way for the app’s current scenario.
Ending support for Skype has sparked nostalgia among its extensive user base.

What You Should Know and Microsoft’s Reason

Skype was once a premier VoIP service for global connections, allowing both free and paid communication. As Microsoft shifts focus to Microsoft Teams, Skype’s user experience and features will be incorporated into this modern hub.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Microsoft Teams, which has seen significant user growth, will now carry forward Skype’s legacy features, offering enhanced capabilities.

What Happens to Your Skype Account?

All Skype contacts and chats will seamlessly migrate to the free version of Microsoft Teams. Active subscriptions and credits remain usable through Skype Dial Pad, accessible via the web or Teams.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Foreign Firms Contribute €3.5 Billion To Cyprus Economy In 2023

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 12, 2025

Recent Eurostat data reveals that Cyprus remains an outlier within the European Union, where foreign-controlled companies contribute minimally to the nation’s employment figures and economic output. While these enterprises have a substantial impact in other member states, in Cyprus they account for only 10 percent of all jobs, a figure comparable only to Italy and marginally higher than Greece’s 8 percent.

Employment Impact

The report highlights that foreign-controlled companies in Cyprus employ 32,119 individuals out of a total workforce that, across the EU, reaches 24,145,727. In contrast, countries such as Luxembourg boast a 45 percent job share in foreign-controlled firms, with Slovakia and the Czech Republic following closely at 28 percent.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Economic Output Analysis

In terms of economic contribution, these enterprises generated a total value added of €3.5 billion in Cyprus, a small fraction compared to the overall EU total of €2.39 trillion. Notably, Ireland leads with 71 percent of its value added stemming from foreign-controlled firms, followed by Luxembourg at 61 percent and Slovakia at 50 percent. On the lower end, France, Italy, Greece, and Germany exhibit values below 20 percent.

Domestic Versus Foreign Ownership

The data underscores Cyprus’s heavy reliance on domestically controlled enterprises for both employment and economic output. However, it is important to note that certain businesses might be owned by foreign nationals who have established companies under Cypriot jurisdiction. As a result, these firms are classified as domestically controlled despite having foreign ownership or management components.

Conclusion

This analysis emphasizes the unique role that foreign-controlled enterprises play within the Cypriot economy. While their overall impact is limited compared to some EU counterparts, the presence of these companies continues to contribute significantly to the island’s economic landscape.

Breaking news