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GPFontaine
Joined: Dec 06 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 11244
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Its a thing...
| Quote: |
Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: “MSFT”) and Skype Global S.à r.l today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Microsoft will acquire Skype, the leading Internet communications company, for $8.5 billion in cash from the investor group led by Silver Lake. The agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both Microsoft and Skype.
The acquisition will increase the accessibility of real-time video and voice communications, bringing benefits to both consumers and enterprise users and generating significant new business and revenue opportunities. The combination will extend Skype’s world-class brand and the reach of its networked platform, while enhancing Microsoft’s existing portfolio of real-time communications products and services.
With 170 million connected users and over 207 billion minutes of voice and video conversations in 2010, Skype has been a pioneer in creating rich, meaningful connections among friends, families and business colleagues globally. Microsoft has a long-standing focus and investment in real-time communications across its various platforms, including Lync (which saw 30 percent revenue growth in Q3), Outlook, Messenger, Hotmail and Xbox LIVE.
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. |
http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2011/may11/05-10CorpNewsPR.mspx
Hey if Microsoft wanted to waste a few billion, I would have gladly accepted some of that dough... they could have fixed several states debts for that amount of cash... yeah they are paying 8.5 billion in cash.
Seriously... doesn't anyone else see what a fucking ridiculous mess this is? Microsoft could have developed their own fucking shit for 1/100 of the cost.
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The Flaming Schnitzel
Title: Tsar of all Russias
Joined: May 10 2011
Location: Minsk, Belarus
Posts: 810
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I think this is so stupid. I honestly really despise Microsoft, and this doesn't improve my opinion of them.
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Hacker
Banned
Joined: Sep 13 2008
Posts: 3129
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Yeah but why not take something with an existing fan base and take over it? People already use Skype so that saves them the trouble of marketing for a new product which would have a high chance of failing when being compared to skype (unless it works out and ends up being good)
I don't actually use Skype
but as long as they don't mess it up then there isn't really a huge problem.
Other than the amount their spending and the better use for the cash
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The Flaming Schnitzel
Title: Tsar of all Russias
Joined: May 10 2011
Location: Minsk, Belarus
Posts: 810
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I just really liked the idea of Skype being this individual thing. I don't like the whole Apple vs. Microsoft war or the fact that they dominate the market. I use Skype, so I really hope they just leave it alone. This reminds me a lot of when Google bought YouTube....honestly, I think YouTube has gotten pretty annoying since the buy-out.
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Dr. Jeebus
Moderator
Title: SLF Harbinger of Death
Joined: Sep 03 2005
Location: Wakefield, MA
Posts: 5228
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The Flaming Schnitzel
Title: Tsar of all Russias
Joined: May 10 2011
Location: Minsk, Belarus
Posts: 810
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Who knows. Aren't they already?
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Optimist With Doubts
Title: Titlating
Joined: Dec 17 2007
Posts: 5042
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Skype charges for the right to make calls to non-skype phone lines. It will likely require a gold membership to use on the xbox.
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Thunderhorse
Title: This is DELICIOUS!
Joined: Dec 29 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 1923
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Does this mean they will discontinue service for PSPs?
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This Is Tuna With Bacon |
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Andrew Man
Title: Is a Funklord
Joined: Jan 30 2007
Location: Annandale, VA
Posts: 5603
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GPFontaine
Joined: Dec 06 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 11244
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| Dr. Jeebus wrote: |
| tl;dr - Are they gonna try to get money out of us for Skype now? |
They didn't buy it for Skype. They bought it for the userbase and technology so that they can integrate their systems that already exist with 170 million Skype users.
It really wasn't that long of an article.
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Mr. Satire
Joined: Jun 08 2010
Location: Termina Field
Posts: 1541
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| The Flaming Schnitzel wrote: |
| I think this is so stupid. I honestly really despise Microsoft, and this doesn't improve my opinion of them. |
This.
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Signature by Hacker (RIP) |
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aeonic
Title: Sporadic Poster
Joined: Nov 19 2009
Location: Kissimmee, FL
Posts: 2747
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I've only ever Skype'd a few times (I'm sure you can use it as a verb, fuck off wordsmiths!) and really, I'm a lot less likely to use it if Microsoft takes it over. I already switched to Linux so I didn't have to deal with their shitty OS, and other than my X-Box, which is primarily used to watch Netflix and Hulu+, I try not to direct any business their way. They're bound to get their money out of me one way or the other, so the least I can do is try to limit how much they get, but that's something I do with every major corporation.
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Who likes role-playing games? Me. Way too goddamn much. |
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Black Zarak
Title: Big Coffin Hunter
Joined: Feb 01 2006
Location: Phyrexia
Posts: 4098
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8.5 billion in cash? I wonder how many briefcases that is...
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REVIEWS, LEGOS, NONSENSE Check out Zarak's Barracks!
"Let that be a lesson to you, your family and everyone you've ever known..."
"Thanks to denial, I'm immortal!" |
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aeonic
Title: Sporadic Poster
Joined: Nov 19 2009
Location: Kissimmee, FL
Posts: 2747
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| Black Zarak wrote: |
| 8.5 billion in cash? I wonder how many briefcases that is... |
LOL, I wish that was how corporate transactions had to happen. Just trucks and trucks of money hitting a local bank and being like, "Yep, we've got that Microsoft money right here for, uh, looks like a Mr. Skype?"
In all reality, though, we're at a point in things where cash transactions are starting to become abnormal, at least inasmuch as most people are concerned. If they could figure out a way to make all currency electronic/digitized (a la the nuyen system in Shadowrun; I know, using an RPG as an example for real-life isn't the greatest idea, but bear with me), I would be very happy. Given the fact that it takes almost 2c to make a new penny, I would much rather just see all cash go the way of the dodo.
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Who likes role-playing games? Me. Way too goddamn much. |
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Black Zarak
Title: Big Coffin Hunter
Joined: Feb 01 2006
Location: Phyrexia
Posts: 4098
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I'm just imagining an army of guys in black suits with a briefcase handcuffed to each wrist marching into Skype headquarters. And I guess one guy with his hands free to unlock all those handcuffs...
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REVIEWS, LEGOS, NONSENSE Check out Zarak's Barracks!
"Let that be a lesson to you, your family and everyone you've ever known..."
"Thanks to denial, I'm immortal!" |
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SNESGuy
Title: El Duderino
Joined: Jul 31 2010
Location: Da D.C
Posts: 1831
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Apple is far worse Microsoft in my opinion, and like GP said, they bought it for the name and already massive user base. Nuff Said
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GPFontaine
Joined: Dec 06 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 11244
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Microsoft isn't as bad as they are made out to be. This just happens to be a poor decisions for the largest software development company in existence.
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Optimist With Doubts
Title: Titlating
Joined: Dec 17 2007
Posts: 5042
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| Andrew Man wrote: |
| Thunderhorse wrote: |
| Does this mean they will discontinue service for PSPs? |
Almost certainly. |
I would think monopoly laws prevent this.
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username
Title: owner of a lonely heart
Joined: Jul 06 2007
Location: phoenix, az usa
Posts: 16135
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yeah, the article on 1up.com indicated they wont discontinue their PSP service
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| Klimbatize wrote: |
| I'll eat a turkey sandwich while blowing my load |
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SNESGuy
Title: El Duderino
Joined: Jul 31 2010
Location: Da D.C
Posts: 1831
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[img]http://i.imgur.com/KPOa1.jpg[/img}
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SNESGuy
Title: El Duderino
Joined: Jul 31 2010
Location: Da D.C
Posts: 1831
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Ghandi
Title: Alexz Aficionado
Joined: May 21 2008
Posts: 2889
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Yay! Now they will be more errors, more crashing, and an update every week that is completely pointless!  Your legacy lives on Microsoft!
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Blackout
Title: Captain Oblivious
Joined: Sep 01 2007
Location: That Rainy State
Posts: 10376
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They should be proud of their legacy, The Blue Screen Of Death is the most played computer game of all time.
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GPFontaine
Joined: Dec 06 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 11244
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| Ghandi wrote: |
| Yay! Now they will be more errors, more crashing, and an update every week that is completely pointless! Your legacy lives on Microsoft! |
Wow... as a guy who works with Macs and PCs day in and day out, I can tell you without question that Windows is currently a more stable platform. Also, my Mac seems to update just as often as my PC.
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The Opponent
Title: Forum Battle WINNER
Joined: Feb 24 2010
Location: The Danger Zone
Posts: 3495
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Some days I just don't get Microsoft hate.
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I'm not a bad enough dude, but I am an edgy little shit. I'll do what I can. |
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