Microsoft: Skype Belongs to Us
Popular instant messaging and VoIP client Skype, which has more than 30 million concurrent users at peak times, will soon belong to Redmond-based software giant Microsoft. Rumor on the web had it that Google and Facebook were interested in acquiring Skype. Turns out that neither Google nor Facebook got their hands on Skype; Microsoft got its hands on the company instead.
The two companies, Microsoft Corp and Skype Global S.à.r.l., announced that they entered a definitive agreement and that as part of this agreement Microsoft will acquire Skype for the sum of $8.5 billion in cash. The boards of directors of both Microsoft and Skype have approved the acquisition agreement.
According to Microsoft, by acquiring Skype, it will be able to enhance its existing portfolio of real-time communications products and services. The benefit for Skype is that its world-class brand will be extended and its networked platform will gain new reach.
"Microsoft and Skype share the vision of bringing software innovation and products to our customers," said Tony Bates, Skype CEO who will become President of the Microsoft Skype Division and will report directly to Steve Ballmer. "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".
"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. Tony Bates has a great track record as a leader and will strengthen the Microsoft management team. I'm looking forward to Skype's talented global workforce bringing its insights, ideas and experience to Microsoft."
What does the acquisition mean for Microsoft customers?
Skype will support Microsoft devices like Xbox and Kinect, Windows Phone and a wide range of Windows devices, and Microsoft will connect Skype users with Lync, Outlook, Xbox Live and other communities.
What does the acquisition mean for non-Microsoft customers?
Microsoft said it will continue to support Skype for non-Microsoft platforms and it will continue to invest in non-Microsoft platforms.
Tags: Microsoft, Skype
The two companies, Microsoft Corp and Skype Global S.à.r.l., announced that they entered a definitive agreement and that as part of this agreement Microsoft will acquire Skype for the sum of $8.5 billion in cash. The boards of directors of both Microsoft and Skype have approved the acquisition agreement.
Advertising
According to Microsoft, by acquiring Skype, it will be able to enhance its existing portfolio of real-time communications products and services. The benefit for Skype is that its world-class brand will be extended and its networked platform will gain new reach.
"Microsoft and Skype share the vision of bringing software innovation and products to our customers," said Tony Bates, Skype CEO who will become President of the Microsoft Skype Division and will report directly to Steve Ballmer. "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".
"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. Tony Bates has a great track record as a leader and will strengthen the Microsoft management team. I'm looking forward to Skype's talented global workforce bringing its insights, ideas and experience to Microsoft."
What does the acquisition mean for Microsoft customers?
Skype will support Microsoft devices like Xbox and Kinect, Windows Phone and a wide range of Windows devices, and Microsoft will connect Skype users with Lync, Outlook, Xbox Live and other communities.
What does the acquisition mean for non-Microsoft customers?
Microsoft said it will continue to support Skype for non-Microsoft platforms and it will continue to invest in non-Microsoft platforms.
Tags: Microsoft, Skype
I Hope you LIKE this blog post! Thank you!
What do YOU have to say about this
blog comments powered by Disqus
Popular News
By George Norman on 28 May 2012
Mozilla introduced a new program meant to educate millions of people, the Mozilla Webmaker program.
By George Norman on 26 May 2012
Piriform updated its products, making CCleaner less annoying and Defraggler a lot faster.Related News
By George Norman on 11 Apr 2012
On Tuesday, April 10, Skype Head of Social Media Jennifer Caukin announced that there are now 40 million users around the world signed into Skype at the same time.
By George Norman on 20 Dec 2011
A lot of people will be traveling home or they will go on a nice vacation this Christmas – and that means that they’ll spend a lot of time in airports. The good news is that while they’re in the airport, they can get from free WiFi from Skype
By George Norman on 23 Apr 2012
Skype for Windows Phone Gold Edition has just been released to the public and is available for free download on the Windows Phone Marketplace
By George Norman on 02 Apr 2012
On April 1st, Skype introduced a new service meant to help you stay in touch with friends: Skype for String.Advertising
Hot Software Updates
Top Downloads
2.
Opera5.
Trillian8.
AIM9.
Skype10.
Ad-Aware12.
Nero13.
Google Earth14.
Picasa15.
Winamp16.
iTunes17.
RealPlayer18.
uTorrent19.
eMule20.
WinRAR21.
BitComet22.
WinZip23.
Shareaza24.
CCleaner25.
Recuva26.
Tweak UI27.
CuteFTP Home29.
Adobe Reader30.
NewsPiperBecome A Fan!
Link To Us!
Microsoft: Skype Belongs to Us
HTML Linking Code
HTML Linking Code