One of many oldest still-running on-line platforms has lastly closed its doorways after 27 years. The once-popular instantaneous messaging service ICQ introduced by way of its web site on Friday that it’ll shut down subsequent month.
“ICQ will stop operations from June 26” ICQ.com. “You possibly can chat with mates in VK Messenger and with colleagues in VK WorkSpace.”
The choice advice is a messaging platform belonging to VK, a social media platform primarily based in Russia that’s fashionable within the nation and works equally to Fb. VK acquired ICQ in 2010 from AOL, which bought the service in 1998.
The primary instantaneous messaging software
ICQ is taken into account considered one of, if not the primary, instantaneous messaging service on the Web.
The platform, named after the phrase “I Search You”, was developed by a small Israeli firm referred to as Mirabilis and launched in November 1996. Turn out to be synonymous with the moment messaging area.
From the mid-Nineties to the Nineties, instantaneous messaging companies dominated the Web. Providers equivalent to AIM, MSN Messenger and Yahoo Messenger, powered by the net expertise giants of the time, have been one of many major methods for Web customers to work together earlier than the appearance of social media.
But regardless of these large rivals, ICQ grew to become fashionable among the many early adopters of the Net. In 1998, its greatest rival AOL acquired the corporate for an upfront cost of $287 million, adopted by a further $120 million over three years primarily based on service efficiency.
Combine and match velocity of sunshine
2001, AOL declare The variety of ICQ customers has exceeded 100 million. Nonetheless, within the following years, the recognition and entry of social media purposes equivalent to Fb on cellphones considerably minimize into the IM market share. The usage of instantaneous messaging instruments has step by step declined as customers have turned to platforms equivalent to Fb Messenger and WhatsApp.
The top of instantaneous messaging
Among the many beforehand talked about IM platforms, MSN Messenger was the primary to be shut down in 2014, adopted by AIM in 2017 and Yahoo Messenger in 2018.
AOL offered the service to VK in 2010 for $187.5 million and continues to serve a devoted person base. In response to VK, the variety of ICQ customers in 2022 can be roughly 11 million.
ICQ has lengthy had a wholesome person base outdoors america, which can assist it survive longer than its contemporaries. The service makes use of ICQ numbers in addition to customary usernames to establish customers, which has contributed to its recognition in nations equivalent to China. As well as, Hong Kong residents flock to The app switched to ICQ in 2021 as customers deserted WhatsApp as a consequence of modifications within the platform’s privateness coverage. As a result of VK’s possession, ICQ additionally has a big Russian person base.
Nonetheless, there are signal VK plans to close down the platform. Round 2022, ICQ’s cellular app disappeared from the Apple App Retailer and Google Play Retailer. Nonetheless, these apps have been final up to date over a 12 months in the past.
In fact, 27 years is a very long time. Nonetheless, with the demise of ICQ, the period of instantaneous messaging seems to be formally over. Having stated that, ICQ’s official account on X seems to have pleasure Within the closing days… there are even hints of recent issues to return.
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The @ICQ account revealed two posts containing GIFS from the film Terminator 2 Friday shortly after the closure announcement.
of this account final put up? Arnold Schwarzenegger’s notorious line is “I will be again.”
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