Microsoft to Acquire Skype

Microsoft today confirmed plans to acquire leading VoIP service Skype for $8.5 billion. In an official press release the company detailed the specifics of the acquisition as well as its plans for Skype’s future. In an effort to broaden the service’s reach, Microsoft plans to generate new business and revenue opportunities by expanding Skype’s benefits to its significant base of consumers and enterprise users.

Additionally, the company announced plans to bring the service to non-PC devices such as Xbox and Kinect. Support for Windows Phone and other Windows compatible devices was also announced. Microsoft also plans to implement the service into its Lync, Outlook and Xbox Live communities with future iterations of software. Perhaps the most significant announcement for Skype’s large base of Mac and iOS users is that Microsoft will continue to invest in and support Skype clients on non-Microsoft platforms—phew!