Thread: MS purchases Skype

Yeppers! Microsoft is going to buy Skype for $8.5 billion.

The deal gives Microsoft (MSFT, Fortune 500) access to the market for real-time video and voice communications. The software maker said it plans to use Skype to support such products as the Xbox gaming system and Windows Phone.

Anyone here like me believe this will signal the end to Skype and a bigger push for Google Talk?

Source: Microsoft to buy Skype for $8.5 billion - May. 10, 2011

I sure hope not. I implemented a change to Skype for our two location office approx three years ago. The MS purchase of Skype made sense to me. If even just a threat as a concept, Google with Android and the hype yet to materialize of Chrome OS, MS could be "back in the game". Unfortunately Google Voice has nothing on Skype's robust interface. I only wish IMO the best soft phone from Counterpath, the "Eyebeam", would work with Google rather than being compatible only with SIP.

Personally, I was disappointed that making calls via GV on my cell still uses my minutes, because it makes your call a GV server(?) which then calls the person from your GV number. By comparison, on a computer you can make GV calls with no phone use at all. Skype, however, does not require your phone to call out first, and thus uses no cell minutes.

Hopefully, with another big company in the mix, there will be a push for cheaper services all around and the consumers will win.