Skype, the leading online voice communications company, has been acquired by Microsoft in a deal that is rumoured to be worth around £5 billion. That sounds like a lot of money for a company that is in debt to the tune of $686 million.
£5 billion is a lot of money, but to put it in perspective, it's less than Microsoft's Online Services division lost in its most recent quarter. In other words, Microsoft aren't exactly worrying about paying the gas bill just yet. The great news for gamers is that Skype will be coming to Xbox - from the press release;
"Skype will support Microsoft devices like Xbox and Kinect, Windows Phone and a wide array of Windows devices, and Microsoft will connect Skype users with Lync, Outlook, Xbox Live and other communities. Microsoft will continue to invest in and support Skype clients on non-Microsoft platforms."
Xbox and Kinect? Could Microsoft be planning to allow Skype calls in-game? That would certainly take the quality of coms in 360 titles to a new level. And if it is integrated with Windows Mobile support things could get very interesting. Imagine being able to dial into Xbox Live parties from anywhere with your mobile phone and griefing your XBL buddies from the pub could be a reality...
CEO, and everyones favourite Microsoft fanboy, Steve Ballmer added, "Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the world. 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."
Interesting move from Microsoft. Skype functionality built in to the next version of Windows anyone?
