Summary:
Microsoft Discontinues support for Facebook and Google Chat in Outlook.com
Comments:
1. Outlook.com users will no longer be able to chat in Outlook.com with Contacts having Facebook accounts
2. Outlook.com user will no longer be able to chat in Outlook.com with Contacts using Google Talk Chat
3. Recommended alternative is to use Skype for Outlook.com chat and Skype Voice and Video Calling
4. Feature removal does not prevent using Facebook chat option in Facebook web user interface
5. Alerts for messages sent in the Facebook Chat web user interface will continue to be sent via email
6. Skype use will require Facebook friends to have a Skype account
Additional Information:
1. Email sent to Outlook.com account holders:
2. Media Article (Mary Jo Foley, Zdnet.com), Feb 24, 2015
http://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-to-drop-facebook-google-chat-integration-in-outlook-com/
Revisions:
February 25, 2015: Original Draft and Publish Date
April 1, 2015: Added Comments (Items 4, 5, and 6)
April 16: Added Link to Zdnet Article