On the windows experience blog, Ryan Gavin posted that Windows 8.1 users would be receiving "Skype, Right from the Start. We believe that connecting and sharing should be a seamless part of every Windows experience. Over 300 million people today use Skype for the most personal connections in their lives, sharing those everyday moments big and small across messaging, audio and video calling. With Windows 8.1, Skype is included right from (the) Start, making your new Windows device the best way to stay close and connected."
While this move appears to be made for convenience's sake on Windows' part, people are interpreting it as a more sinister move in line with Microsoft's shady entanglement with user privacy. The Kinect camera feature on the Xbox One was a dealbreaker for many, and has since been revised. But when enough people balk at the prospect of Skype-- notorious for monitoring conversations-- pre-loaded on every Windows 8.1 machine, will it change? It's unlikely. According to Techcrunch, "Windows 8.1 isn’t completely locked yet, but it is close. Yesterday Microsoft confirmed that Windows 8.1 will be digitally available on October 17, and will land in stores on the 18th."
On the business end, Microsoft's move to include Skype into Windows 8.1 could bump Skype's usage by double-digit percentage points, bringing its usership into the high millions.
Read more on the Windows Experience Blog.
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