Microsoft Buys Skype

Microsoft has just announced that it has bought popular voice over IP company Skype, for $8.5 billion.

Skype will now support Xbox, Kinect and Windows Phone, and will be integrated into Live to allow Skype users to chat. It will also connect Skype users with Lync, Outlook, Xbox Live and other communities.

Microsoft, says the press release, will “continue to invest in and support Skype clients on non-Microsoft platforms”.

“Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the world,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. “Together we will create the future of real-time communications so people can easily stay connected to family, friends, clients and colleagues anywhere in the world.”

Skype will become a new business division within Microsoft.

“Microsoft and Skype share the vision of bringing software innovation and products to our customers,” said Tony Bates, Skype CEO. “Together, we will be able to accelerate Skype’s plans to extend our global community and introduce new ways for everyone to communicate and collaborate,” Bates said.

Source: press release.

39 Comments

  1. Loving all the “M$ will ruin skype comments”. It’s great to see people totally over react to things.

    Here’s what we know: Microsoft bought Skype for 8.5 bil and will continue to support non-Micorsoft platforms as well as bring the feature to it’s devices.

    Here how that was translated: Skype is doomed, it will be changed into something completly different and suddenly cost insane amounts of money to use. The PSP is going to loose skype and skype will never be on another PS product. MS has done thins in a plot against sony, because being spiteful is the main reason behind the actions of billion dollar companies. I’m never using skype again!

    How about people wait until something, ANYTHING, has happened before we cut the bungie cord? Who knows, we might all make it out of this alive, maybe even with a better product(s)?

  2. Ms are an odd bunch.

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