>?All Microsoft had to do was make the former into a proper mobile app.

I begged Microsoft to make MSN on Windows Mobile and later on Android or iPhone.

They just dont get it nor do they care. Whatsapp wasn't even a thing on Smartphone. Its dominance came a little later.

And without a smartphone or mobile network, people keep in contact especially those not in close group via Social Media aka MySpace and Facebook or Friendster.

Now smartphone ubiquitous in most places. The contact list has taken over. Social Media became a news feed.