2 replies to this topic

[James (Jim) Hillier]

It seems Microsoft are primed to absorb the extremely popular communications software Skype into the vast Redmond empire.

What a success story Skype has been; started from scratch in 2003 by a group of investors and growing to 170 million connected users; and now, a mere 8 years on, Microsoft have agreed to fork out $8.5 billion.....yes Billion!!

A deal has been agreed and is due to be finalised some time later this year, subject to the usual regulatory approvals and conditions.

Redmond has announced that a new Microsoft division will be set up to handle the Skype enterprise, which will be headed by Skype's existing CEO, Tony Bates.

One can only speculate as to what repercussions this may have for the millions of Skype users; my guess would be that MS will pretty much carry on the status quo; even they would not dare risk alienating 170+ million consumers........or would they!!

[marko]

Nah, what will happen is MS will integrate Skype into the next version of Messenger, bundle it in Windows 8, spend another $100 million on developing the software further, come full circle, waste more money and then try and fix what's not broken - or something like that  

[James (Jim) Hillier]

Now that would be funny if it wasn't so near the truth!!

Sounds about right mate!!