Microsoft to kill MSN for the Mac

Microsoft plans to all but end its stint as an Internet service provider to Mac users, discontinuing its MSN for Mac OS X software, CNET News.com has learned.

The company plans to notify customers this month and discontinue the service as of May 31, a Microsoft representative said in an e-mail. Microsoft announced plans to get into the market in 2002 and began offering the service in the United States the following year.

"Beginning May 31, Microsoft will make changes and no longer support the MSN for Mac OS X Internet Software client," the representative said. A Microsoft representative declined to say how many people subscribe to MSN for the Mac, but said it is "a small number."

Under a deal from years ago with Qwest, Microsoft is required to offer Internet access to Mac users. Therefore, customers will still be able to buy $22-a-month Internet access from Microsoft. However, the company will not offer any local software and customers will have to log on using the Mac's built-in Internet Connect dialer.

"Microsoft will be in regular communication with its MSN for Mac customers to ensure options are clearly communicated and the transition is as smooth as possible," the company said.

The company will also still allow those with their own Internet access to pay for a collection of browser-based MyMSN services, including 2GB of Hotmail storage, Encarta Premium and Money Plus. In theory, customers can continue to pay Microsoft between $10 and $27 a month for that option.

MSN has broadly shifted much of its attention away from its dial-up Internet access business and into Internet services and content that can be accessed via any Internet connection, and high-speed broadband in particular.

Following Apple's introduction of the Safari browser, Microsoft discontinued its Internet Explorer browser for the Mac, but the company continues to make other products for the Mac, most notably a Mac version of Office. The company reiterated on Friday that it is not abandoning the Mac.

"Microsoft's Mac BU remains committed to the Mac platform and its customers," Microsoft said, noting recent updates to Office and the introduction of a new version of MSN Messenger for Mac.

MSN first got in the Mac business when it agreed to take over dial-up and high-speed Internet access for customers of Qwest. Initially the company offered only a Mac OS 9-compatible dialer program for Qwest customers, but later decided to expand the service and pitch it broadly to Mac users in the United States.

ROTFLMAO

Used to have Qwest powered by MSN on my Mac, as a carry over from using it on my retired DULL. What a joke, MSN never supported the ability of having 2 different MSN users in the same household, and MSN Video only works on a PC. So what exactly was the point?

So for a year I've been using Qwest 1.5Mb DSL with their own ISP and saving about $8 a month now for NOT using MSN, using Entourage to talk to Hotmail. So really tell it like it is, MSN on a Mac is throwing money away, and I'm sure that most Mac users figured that out a long time ago.

msn on Mac!

LOL! You got that right! Great comment!

Who cares...?

Who cares...?

[John Kuzak]

Who ?

http://www.analogstereo.com/skoda_felicia_owners_manual.htm

[Earl Benser]

MSN and Qwest?????

Two major losers.

MSN is a garbage site like AOL.

Qwest is over-priced and under performing.

Get either a cable modem or, for DSL or Dial-Up, any othe ISP
offering email. Get your own hard drive. Find Encarta and Money
at a flea market or used computer store. Use Safari or FireFox,
plus Mail or Thunderbird,

See how the real world lives.

The real world ?

The VAST majority of the real world uses Windows IE & OE.

[Ulfhednar]

MSN was one step removed from malware

Thank God someone finally pulled the plug on this pathetic tangle of code.

MSN sucks

MSN sucks, no one uses it. And anyone on a mac that does, can use adium to still acsess MSN servers. boo hoo

MSN sucks

MSN sucks, no one uses it. And anyone on a mac that does, can use adium to still acsess MSN servers. boo hoo
----
www.iSoftNews.com

[Michael Grogan]

Mr. Arbogast...

...it's good to see you're still around and resolutely blogging for M$! When are you gonna break down and tell us how much they pay you?

[John Kuzak]

resolutely blogging for M$

http://www.analogstereo.com/seat_owners_manual.htm

[Batchain]

MSN for Mac goes "bye-bye"?

Who gives a f---? Microsoft still thinks they're "the only game in
town"? Well, let them now try to do away with "MS Office for
Mac"! No, no, I don't think so. They really hate nasty things like
huge losses in profit. What else do Mac users really care about
that Microsoft puts out? Nothing!

MSN

Will they still offer MSN Messenger for MAC?

[Jake147258]

STUFF MICROSOFT THEY JUST CAN'T HACK THAT THEY JUST SUCK.. TRUST ME PPL MICROSOFT ARE JUST GAY!! I USE TO HAVE A FEW MICROSOFT COMPUTERS THEY ARE JUSTA PAIN IN THE ASS!! I SWEAR MAC ARE THE BEST. :)