Iconic 90s messenger ICQ logs off for good after practically 30 years
What simply occurred? The long-lasting instantaneous messaging app ICQ, which mainly kicked off the entire on-line chat period, is lastly biting the mud after practically three a long time. The software program recognized for its iconic “uh-oh” sound whenever you obtain a message shuts down on June 26.
The shutdown announcement got here by way of a fairly unceremonious replace on ICQ’s web site final Friday – only a easy “ICQ will cease working from June 26” word together with a nudge for customers emigrate to the messaging platforms from VK, the Russian social media firm that is owned ICQ since buying it from AOL means again in 2010. America On-line acquired ICQ again in 1998 for $400 million. These have been the times when ICQ’s addictive notification sounds and the UINs (Consumer Identification Numbers) all of us obsessively memorized have been cutting-edge stuff.
As smartphones and mobile-first chat apps like WhatsApp rose to prominence within the late 2000s, ICQ’s enchantment started waning regardless of its new homeowners making an attempt to modernize it with redesigns and added options. Russian dad or mum firm VK pulled the ICQ app from cellular shops in 2022 because it shifted focus to its VK Messenger platform.
To its credit score, ICQ has confirmed shockingly resilient over its three-decade run. Most of its largest 90s-era opponents, like AIM, Yahoo Messenger, and MSN Messenger, have been accumulating mud for years. Nonetheless, ICQ survived by reimagining itself as a desktop messaging app and net service in its twilight years. Its latest releases gave the app a extra fashionable messaging expertise with extras like sensible replies and video calling – however the refresh wasn’t sufficient to maintain it kicking within the fiercely aggressive messaging market.
At its peak, ICQ noticed over 100 million registered customers. That will not sound like lots in comparison with the billions of lively customers in the present day’s social platforms boast, however this was means again in 2001. As of 2022, the platform had dwindled to about 11 million month-to-month customers.
Though customers ought to anticipate service to stop fully on June 26, this won’t be the ultimate time we’ll see these three iconic letters. The app’s official X account shared a cryptic Terminator “I will be again” meme on Friday after the shutdown information broke.
– ICQ New (@ICQ) Could 24, 2024
Whereas the percentages of ICQ ever recapturing its 90s/early 2000s glory days are slim, its demise marks the tip of an period as one of many final remnants of the early web.
So what’s your oldest ICQ reminiscence? Do you continue to keep in mind your UIN? We might love to listen to down within the feedback.
