Nicknamed the “legacy” Yahoo Messenger, the old version will be discontinued across all platforms: Windows, Mac, Android and iOS. Yahoo is not discontinuing all their instant messaging services however, they are merely switching over to a newer version of Yahoo Messenger, which has been available since December 2015 as a web app, a smartphone app and as part of Yahoo Mail’s desktop application.

Unlike the legacy version, the new Yahoo Messenger will be able to keep track of users' chat histories in separate windows. As for previous conversations on the legacy version, they can be archived in user’s Yahoo Mail account. But, as of Aug. 5, those saved files will be deleted as well.

Yahoo chief architect Amotz Maimon said the company had “outlined a plan for streamlining the business and focusing on (their) strengths across seven core consumer products: Mail, Search, Tumblr, News, Sports, Finance and Lifestyles".

(Read also: Yahoo's deterioration accelerates ahead of a possible sale)

In order to keep up with competing social media giants like Facebook and WhatsApp, Yahoo’s revamped messenger has integrated Flickr, Tumblr and Xobni platforms, according to the Tech Times. In addition to these features, the company is also introducing an “unsend” feature similar to Snapchat’s "vanishing" messages. Also, Yahoo boasts of the new application’s speed in carrying out all those functions.

Yahoo will just have to sit tight and see how its new Messenger holds up against Facebook’s Messenger and other social media instant messaging apps out there. (sab/kes)

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