Microsoft is about to buy Skype

[Corny]

Ugh .. not sure if I like this move! Actually .. well no. I don't. We need the competition.

Microsoft Corp. agreed to buy Internet phone company Skype Technologies SA for $8.5 billion in cash—the most aggressive move yet by Microsoft to play in the increasingly converged worlds of communication, information and entertainment.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703730804576314854222820260.html#ixzz1LxAdpl4j



Some people suspect that this is mainly for the Kinect and/or their next gen console.

 

[DeafFoxDemon]

Microsoft will figure out a way to fuck up Skype, anyway

 

[maxpowr9]

I don't like this at all. From a business standpoint, I don't blame them for wanting to buy skype. They have been severely battered on all fronts by other companies (mainly google and apple) and they need a pick-me-up badly. As long as they keep the current pay system the way it is, I'm okay with it. Lately, Microsoft has had the brown touch so hopefully they don't fuck it up.

 

[looseliam]

Microsoft will figure out a way to fuck up Skype, anyway

Agreed.

.

 

[Paws]

What competition? Google has bought many companies/technologies as well. Everything gets swallowed by one of the few big companies eventually.

Yes. I read that JUB will be bought up by Lockerz.

 

[Corny]

it happens right now!

 

[T-Rexx]

This cannot end well for Skype, Microsoft, or the customers of either.

 

[ShavedBare87]

it happens right now!

*golfclap*

 

[TNniceguy]

Actually, this will work out good for Microsoft. They will integrate Skype as their mobile video chat on their Windows 7 Phone platform as well as doing away with a potential MSN video competitor. The downside will be, I suspect, phasing out Skype non-W7P users, making the move a fee-based or offer non-W7P users reduced functionality. Either way, I don't see the existing Skype remaining the same which is bad for everyone.