Microsoft Buys Skype

[jon]

Microsoft to buy Skype for US$8.5-billion
Reuters May 10, 2011

Microsoft Corp agreed to buy Internet telephone company Skype for US$8.5 billion in cash in its biggest deal ever, as the technology giant seeks to plug a hole in its mobile offerings.

Buying loss-making Skype would have no immediate impact on Microsoft’s finances, but would make clear its intention to compete with rivals such as Apple Inc and Google Inc.

Founded in 2003, Skype was acquired by eBay in September 2005, and then acquired by an investment group led by Silver Lake in November 2009. The group includes Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, eBay International AG, Joltid Limited in partnership with Europlay Capital Advisors; and Andreessen Horowitz

Microsoft already has video chat as a function in its Windows Live Messenger service, but it is not available on its Windows Phone 7 software.

Skype also makes versions of its own service which can be used as an application on the iPhone and iPad, Research in Motion’s BlackBerry and Android phones. It cannot be used on Microsoft phones.
ref. - http://business.financialpost.com/2011/ ... -for-8-5b/

[another dog]

I hope that this doesn't mean that the phone rates

are going to go up.


A.D.

[slowhand]

I hope that this doesn't mean that the phone rates

are going to go up.


A.D.

Yeah, a 1000% increase is in the offing. Ten times zero is still zero. Skype is free to other Skype users. Phoning regular phones, which does cost money, is just silly, since they don't have a camera.