News Microsoft Buys Skype

In a huge purchase, Microsoft buys Skype. It's fine that they want to integrate it into XBox/Windows Phone services - but how long will they keep it free on other platforms? Should also be interesting to see if they integrate it somehow with their OCS/Lync product line..

Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: “MSFT”) and Skype Global S.à r.l today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Microsoft will acquire Skype, the leading Internet communications company, for $8.5 billion in cash from the investor group led by Silver Lake. The agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both Microsoft and Skype.

The acquisition will increase the accessibility of real-time video and voice communications, bringing benefits to both consumers and enterprise users and generating significant new business and revenue opportunities. The combination will extend Skype’s world-class brand and the reach of its networked platform, while enhancing Microsoft’s existing portfolio of real-time communications products and services.

With 170 million connected users and over 207 billion minutes of voice and video conversations in 2010, Skype has been a pioneer in creating rich, meaningful connections among friends, families and business colleagues globally. Microsoft has a long-standing focus and investment in real-time communications across its various platforms, including Lync (which saw 30 percent revenue growth in Q3), Outlook, Messenger, Hotmail and Xbox LIVE.

Skype will support Microsoft devices like Xbox and Kinect, Windows Phone and a wide array of Windows devices, and Microsoft will connect Skype users with Lync, Outlook, Xbox Live and other communities. Microsoft will continue to invest in and support Skype clients on non-Microsoft platforms.

:source: Source: Bink

 

Microsoft buys Skype for $8.5 Billion

After speculation that Facebook and Google were circling Skype, Microsoft have rocked in with £5.2 billion pounds cold, hard cash and purchased the popular video chat service.

Microsoft and Skype today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Microsoft will acquire Skype, the leading Internet communications company, for $8.5 billion in cash from the investor group led by Silver Lake. The agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both Microsoft and Skype.

The acquisition will increase the accessibility of real-time video and voice communications, bringing benefits to both consumers and enterprise users and generating significant new business and revenue opportunities. The combination will extend Skype’s world-class brand and the reach of its networked platform, while enhancing Microsoft’s existing portfolio of real-time communications products and services.

With 170 million connected users and over 207 billion minutes of voice and video conversations in 2010, Skype has been a pioneer in creating rich, meaningful connections among friends, families and business colleagues globally. Microsoft has a long-standing focus and investment in real-time communications across its various platforms, including Lync (which saw 30 percent revenue growth in Q3), Outlook, Messenger, Hotmail and Xbox LIVE.

Skype will support Microsoft devices like Xbox and Kinect, Windows Phone and a wide array of Windows devices, and Microsoft will connect Skype users with Lync, Outlook, Xbox Live and other communities. Microsoft will continue to invest in and support Skype clients on non-Microsoft platforms.

As both a Windows and Android user, I am sure my time in Skype while sat at my desktop will be fine, but I can't help but feel that the Android version will now eventually suffer, but we will see - as my interest grows in Office 365 I am sure this can only lead to good things.

:view: Microsoft to Acquire Skype

 

Damn you ! Threads merged ;D

 

They won't keep it free.

 

Well technically it isn't free for the parts you would expect anyway.

 

Now has anyone (including Microsoft) confirmed that they actually bought the code and the entire product of Skype, unlike when eBay thought they had bought Skype for $4.1 Billion a few years ago?

 

In a huge purchase, Microsoft buys Skype. It's fine that they want to integrate it into XBox/Windows Phone services - but how long will they keep it free on other platforms? Should also be interesting to see if they integrate it somehow with their OCS/Lync product line.. Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: ?MSFT?) and Skype Global S.à r.l today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Microsoft will acquire Skype, the leading Internet communications company, for $8.5 billion in cash from the investor group led by Silver Lake. The agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both Microsoft and Skype. The acquisition will increase the accessibility of real-time video and voice communications, bringing benefits to both consumers and enterprise users and generating significant new business and revenue opportunities. The combination will extend Skype?s world-class brand and the reach of its networked platform, while enhancing Microsoft?s existing portfolio of real-time communications products and services. With 170 million connected users and over 207 billion minutes of voice and video conversations in 2010, Skype has been a pioneer in creating rich, meaningful connections among friends, families and business colleagues globally. Microsoft has a long-standing focus and investment in real-time communications across its various platforms, including Lync (which saw 30 percent revenue growth in Q3), Outlook, Messenger, Hotmail and Xbox LIVE. Skype will support Microsoft devices like Xbox and Kinect, Windows Phone and a wide array of Windows devices, and Microsoft will connect Skype users with Lync, Outlook, Xbox Live and other communities. Microsoft will continue to invest in and support Skype clients on non-Microsoft platforms. Source: Bink

thanks for this, great share dude.........! anyway, this does make sense:

Well technically it isn't free for the parts you would expect anyway.