Microsoft bought Skype. And for a not inconsiderable price: no less than 8,500 million dollars (just over 5,900 million euros, at the current exchange rate). With the new acquisition, the Redmond giant moves tab in the configuration of an ecosystem that integrates desktop platforms and portable devices (mobiles and tablets) loaded with native functions. However, before the news, there were professionals and users who posed an obvious question: what will happen to Android and iPhone?
Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, calls for calm. During the public appearance that the North American company made to publicize the purchase of Skype, Ballmer admitted that the application will continue to work on platforms other than the products of the firm he leads. Thus, the 170 million users connected to this platform (in computer versions or mobile devices) will be able to continue accessing Skype without the acquisition by Microsoft being a problem for them.
The purchase of Skype serves those of Redmond to enrich their services in two main lines: mobile and leisure platforms. In other words, it seeks full integration in its mobile system, Windows Phone, of the application services (mainly voice over IP, but also instant messaging, although for this the house already has what is probably the most popular client: MSN Messenger), but also on his game console, the Xbox 360, which will turn his motion control system, Kinect, in an ally for video calls or video conferences.
Although neither Ballmer nor Tony Bates, president of Skype, gave details about the future of the service, it is understood that Windows Phone users will have certain privileges from now on when it comes to receiving the first updates or checking a more coordinated operation with others. aspects of the system (as for example Google does with its native applications). However, the future of Skype and Microsoft is yet to be written (in fact, the contacts between the two companies do not date back too long, and go back to last April).
Other news about… Android, iOS, iPhone, Microsoft, Windows
