Microsoft’s Windows Live Messenger will be switched off in China in October, marking a final end to the 15-year-old service.
微軟的Windows Live Messenger將於10月份在中國關閉，代表這個已有15年的服務終將劃下句點。
Originally known as MSN Messenger, it was launched in 1999 but was switched off for most users in 2013, after Microsoft bought rival Skype. Users in China continued to use the old service but will now be transferred to Skype by 31 October.
原本稱為MSN Messenger的Windows Live Messenger是在1999年推出，但微軟在2013年買下對手Skype後，Windows Live Messenger對多數使用者關閉。中國的使用者繼續使用這項舊服務，但現在這些用戶也將在10月31日移轉到Skype。
Windows Live still had as many as 330 million users as recently as 2009. But those numbers later declined, while users of Skype rose to nearly 300 million by 2012.
Windows Live直到2009年都還有多達3億3000萬用戶。但用戶數後來下滑，2012年Skype用戶增至近3億。
The service came to China in 2005, but later faced stiff competition from domestic rivals such as QQ messenger, built by Chinese firm Tencent.
這項服務2005年來到中國，但後來面臨騰訊的QQ messenger等本土對手激烈競爭。
A number of Chinese Windows Live users received emails from Microsoft, Chinese newspapers reported, informing them of the planned closure.
中國報紙報導，許多中國版Windows Live用戶收到微軟的電子郵件，通知他們這項計畫中的關閉。
The emails told users they would get free Skype credit when they migrated over to the new service, the newspaper said.
電郵告訴用戶，轉移到新服務時，可拿到免費的Skype點數，報紙說。
新聞辭典
decline：動詞，下降。例句：His interest in the project declined after his wife died.（他太太死後，他對這項計畫也比較沒興趣了。）
stiff：形容詞，嚴重的，激烈的。例句：Both companies are worried about losing business in the face of stiff competition.（兩家公司都擔心會因激烈競爭損失生意。）
migrate：動詞，轉移。例句：Trade is migrating from local shops to the larger out-of-town stores.
（貿易正從地方性商店轉移到城外較大型的商場。）
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