Microsoft has confirmed Skype will be discontinued on May 5, 2025, after 21 years of service. Users will be gradually migrated to Microsoft Teams, with the ability to log in using Skype credentials and retain their existing contacts and chat history.
Microsoft appears to be preparing to shut down Skype in May 2024, as revealed by hidden code in the latest Windows preview. The messaging platform, acquired by Microsoft for $8.5 billion in 2011, has struggled to maintain relevance against modern competitors like WhatsApp and Discord. Microsoft plans to transition remaining users to Teams, marking the end of Skype's 21-year run.
Nigerian entrepreneurs are developing local cloud infrastructure alternatives to AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, offering naira-based payments and data sovereignty solutions. The rise of homegrown cloud providers like Nebula, Nobus, and Galaxy addresses challenges faced by Nigerian tech companies dealing with currency depreciation and data localization needs. In response to local competition, AWS has started accepting naira payments, while Nigerian providers leverage shared data centers to build cost-effective infrastructure.
IBM has completed its $6.4 billion acquisition of HashiCorp, integrating advanced cloud infrastructure automation and security capabilities into its portfolio. The merger aims to help enterprises manage hybrid cloud environments more efficiently, with HashiCorp's Terraform and Vault products now available through IBM's automation software lineup. The acquisition strengthens IBM's position in multiple growth areas including Red Hat, watsonx, and IT automation.
ForeverVM provides a secure sandbox environment for running Python code with persistent state through memory snapshots, eliminating session expiration limitations. The platform enables long-running applications and agents through a REPL interface, with seamless worker allocation and state management.
Amazon introduces Alexa+, a next-generation AI assistant powered by generative AI and large language models, offering enhanced conversational abilities and expanded functionalities across devices. The new assistant integrates with numerous services, enables autonomous task completion, and provides personalized experiences while maintaining privacy and security. Available for $19.99 monthly but free for Prime members, Alexa+ will roll out in the US through a phased approach.
A detailed review compares three Canadian VPS providers - Serv3r.net, Globo.Tech, and FullHost - evaluating their performance, pricing, and features. FullHost emerges as the preferred choice, offering better performance and lower costs compared to DigitalOcean, despite lacking IPv6 support. The analysis covers technical specifications, network connectivity, and real-world performance benchmarks.
Cloudflare announces the agents-sdk framework for building AI agents, along with updates to Workers AI including JSON mode and longer context windows. The platform enables developers to create autonomous AI systems that can execute tasks through dynamic decision-making, with seamless deployment and scaling capabilities on Cloudflare's infrastructure.
Anthropic introduces Claude 3.7 Sonnet, a groundbreaking hybrid reasoning model featuring instant responses and extended thinking capabilities, alongside Claude Code for agentic coding tasks. The model demonstrates superior performance in coding and web development, with significant improvements in handling complex codebases and advanced tool usage. Available across multiple platforms, it maintains the same pricing while offering enhanced reasoning capabilities and GitHub integration.
European governments and organizations continue migrating to US cloud services despite increasing risks and Trump's undermining of data privacy frameworks. The practice is justified through legal mechanisms and convenience, despite serious concerns about data sovereignty and business continuity. The author argues for immediate cessation of US cloud adoption and investment in European alternatives.