Iconic Yahoo Messenger will shut down after 20 years

By

Yahoo Messenger
How did twenty years go by so quickly?
Photo: Yahoo

Yahoo Messenger hasn’t been a big deal for years, but it was absolutely massive at one point in time. Unfortunately, that chapter of our lives is about to close — since Yahoo has revealed that the service will shut down for good on July 17.

“There currently isn’t a replacement product available for Yahoo Messenger,” Yahoo notes. “We’re constantly experimenting with new services and apps, one of which is an invite-only group messaging app called Yahoo Squirrel (currently in beta).”

Yahoo began testing group messaging app Squirrel last month. It’s yet to be officially launched, although interested users can request to have access to the beta. Yahoo IDs will remain in service for access to Mail and fantasy sports.

One of the first of its kind

“We know we have many loyal fans who have used Yahoo Messenger since its beginning as one of the first chat apps of its kind,” Yahoo continues. “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 Messenger first launched in 1998 as Yahoo Pager, back in a time before smartphones, when kids actually knew what a pager referred to. Its popularity was driven by the fact that it was not tied to one particular device or network, and could be used by anyone.

Today, it looks hopelessly outdated next to newer, more popular apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Snapchat and others. Yahoo Messenger’s contemporary, AOL’s AIM app, shut down in late 2017.

Do you remember using Yahoo Messenger back in the day? Let us know your nostalgic reminiscences in the comments below.

Source: TechCrunch

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.