Saturday, May 14, 2011

So why did Microsoft buy Skype?


The variety of opinion about Microsoft's $8.5bn acquisition of the internet telephony service Skype is extraordinary. It's good for the Xbox; it will beef up Office with unified communications; they're doing what?; they're out of their minds.

This $8.5bn is serious: it's cash, not stock. Even for Microsoft that's a lot of money – more than a sixth of its cash hoard. One possibility, given that Microsoft has said it will keep Skype as an independent division, is that Microsoft wants the people. Are they trying to lock up all the creative talent? I think the answer to that one has to be a very strong: don't be silly. More...

Don't miss:
  1. EU warns telecom firms against blocking Skype...
  2. China makes Skype illegal...
  3. Russian security service wants to ban Skype, Gmail and Hotmail...
  4. 'Skype School' brings knowledge to remote Indian village...
  5. The home phone is back! (How to use Google's Gmail phone service) 

No comments:

Post a Comment