Microsoft plans to close MSN Soapbox at the end of August, pulling the plug on an online video-sharing service that competed with Google-owned YouTube.
Microsoft plans to close MSN Soapbox at the end of August, pulling the plug on an online video-sharing service that competed with Google-owned YouTube.
Microsoft has begun informing Soapbox users that the service will stop accepting video uploads on July 29 and that people have until August 31 to download videos they want to keep.
"On August 31, 2009, MSN will no longer offer MSN Soapbox," a Microsoft spokesperson said in an email response to an AFP inquiry.
Microsoft is continuing its MSN Video online streaming service, which reports having 88 million users worldwide.
"Online video will remain a key part of the MSN offering," the Microsoft spokesperson said.
"We remain committed to delivering amazing experiences for consumers while keeping a keen eye on our business objectives during this tough economic climate."
Microsoft launched Soapbox publicly in early 2007.
Google executives said during an earnings conference call last week that they expect YouTube to soon be profitable. Google bought YouTube in 2006 in a 1.65-billion-dollar stock deal.
(c) 2009 AFP
