Do you still regularly utilize Windows Live Messenger? You might want to consider moving to Skype now. It seems that Microsoft is planning to retire WLM very soon, according to sources close to the Redmon-based company.

With Skype having many more advanced features (including land-line calling abilities) and better brand recognition, this isn’t that surprising. Windows Live Messenger just isn’t necessary for Microsoft going forward. Recently Skype added on to its list of supported log-in methods by allowing Microsoft and Facebook account users to log-in without needing a traditional Skype ID.

What about your existing WLM ID? More than likely you will still be able to use it directly from Skype on your mobile and desktop/laptop devices without a problem. With Windows Phone 8 using the same core as Windows 8 (NT) and Xbox 360 getting a makeover that makes it look similar to Windows devices, it isn’t surprising to see that Microsoft is continuing to combine its software and services wherever it can.

Does anyone reading this still use Windows Live Messenger or do you prefer another chat client, perhaps Skype?

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When you have an Android smartphone, connecting with your friends via GChat is a pretty straightforward and seamless process. Microsoft wants to offer the same kind of idea, but within its Windows environment. That’s why they’re promising a “seamless, built-in texting and IM experience powered by Windows Live Messenger” on Windows Phone 7.

This “seamless” integration should come along with the next version of Windows Phone, which we are assuming is the Mango build that’s been making its way around Internet news sources. Instead of getting you to open an app for Windows Live Messenger, it’ll be built into the phone’s Messaging Hub. That combines your IM and SMS chats into one place.

While this isn’t all that surprising, it is almost surprising that they’re offering Facebook Chat integration into Messaging Hub too. Again, there’s no need to download a separate app to access that. Makes you wonder if they’ll add AIM, GChat, Skype, and other protocols down the line for the same kind of native support.

And yes, there is support for both photo sharing and group chats via the updated system. Windows Phone 7 may not have the same kind of market share as iOS or Android, but these Mango updates are starting to make the platform sound a little more appealing.

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