According to The Wall Street Journal, Microsoft is very close to acquiring Skype Technologies SA for $7 billion to $8 billion. An official announcement of the final deal price and more information is expected later today, sources say. Microsoft has recently invested a lot of time in focusing and improving certain services while closing others. An acquisition like this for Microsoft would put a big name out on communication services, especially with Skype being so well known worldwide. Representatives for Microsoft and Skype haven’t commented on the matter, but if sources are correct we will hear it all later today.
At a value close to $8 billion, the Skype deal would rank as the biggest acquisition in the 36-year history of Microsoft, a company that traditionally has shied away from large deals.
Microsoft purchasing Skype would bring a lot to the table not only for Windows Phone, but for all Microsoft platforms present and future. An official ‘Microsoft Skype’ service, one can imagine would bring a lot more integration and exclusives to all Microsoft platforms. From Kinect Video Chat to much more integrated (and even native) Skype services in the Windows Phone platform, it would be a huge benefit to Microsoft consumers. An official Skype application has already been announced during MIX11, but was this acquisition already planned upon that announcement? If this acquisition is a sudden turn of events, then hopefully the Skype application will be flawless and much more integrated for Windows Phone come release. It would be a disappointment to see Microsoft acquire Skype, but come application release it lacks most features which make Skype very useful. Lets hope we receive more information with the official announcement later today.
The official announcement is expected at around 8 AM EST. Sources are also reporting that the final deal might climb up to $8.5 billion.
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