Oath, the subsidiary of telecommunications giant Verizon that operates Yahoo, has announced the final wrap-up of Yahoo Messenger with its services coming to an end on July 17.
"Yahoo Messenger will no longer be supported after July 17, 2018. Until then, you can continue to use the service normally. After July 17, you'll no longer be able to access your chats and the service will no longer work," Yahoo said in a statement on Friday.
"There currently isn't a replacement product available for Yahoo Messenger," the company said, adding that it is constantly experimenting with new services and apps, one of which is an invite-only group messaging app called 'Yahoo Squirrel' which is currently in beta form.
"Squirrel" is a group messaging app Yahoo started testing last month.
Yahoo said that for the next six months, users would be able download their chat history to their personal computer or device.
"As the communications landscape continues to change over, we're focusing on building and introducing new, exciting communications tools that better fit consumer needs," Yahoo said, while avoiding to offer any specific reason behind its decision to shut down Messenger.
However, speculations are rife that competition with newer apps like Snapchat, WeChat, and Facebook's WhatsApp and Messenger could be a major factor.
Yahoo Messenger first made its debut as "Yahoo Pager" way back in 1998 as an alternative to email and short message service (SMS) on basic mobile devices.
Mexico-based Indian scientist leading fight against wheat diseases receives Padma Shri
Ravi Prakash Singh, the Mexico-based scientist who received the Padma Shri award, has been hailed for his achievement in making wheat strains resistant to rust diseases,
NCP manifesto: Caste-based census, MSP for farmers
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which is now an ally of the NDA and the ruling partner in the MahaYuti government in Maharashtra, has demanded the caste-based census and Minimum Support Price for farmers.
Israel PM Netanyahu to 'increase pressure' on Hamas
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to intensify the military crackdown on Hamas.
Uddhav Thackeray skips INDIA bloc's rally in Ranchi, sends representative
Shiv Sena (UBT) President and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray skipped the INDIA bloc rally scheduled in Ranchi this evening, an aide said here on Sunday.
87 killed, over 80 injured as heavy rains wreak havoc in Pakistan
At least 87 people have been killed and 82 others injured in separate rain-triggered incidents in Pakistan over the past week as heavy downpours continued to wreak havoc in parts of the country, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said.
Congress, INDIA bloc against development & farmers: PM Modi says in Maharashtra
Criticising the Congress and the INDIA bloc, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the unwavering faith of the people in 'Modi's Guarantee' is giving sleepless nights to the Opposition alliance leaders.
Israel attacks Iran's Isfahan town
It comes few days after Iran had attacked Israel in response to an alleged attack on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital of Damascus leading to the killing of seven top officers of the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps including General Mohammed Reza Zahedi.
DMs, SPs of violence-hit MP districts transferred
The farmers agitation entered its eighth day on Thursday. The peasants have been on strike since June 1, demanding loan waiver and fair price for their produce.