Microsoft, Skype deal takes aim at Google, Apple

摘要

If Microsoft makes good on its agreement to acquire Skype for $8.5 billion, the company will boost its competitive stakes with Google and Apple. Under the terms of the agreement, Skype will become a business division within Microsoft, headed by Skype CEO Tony Bates. Skype's services will be meshed with various products in Microsoft's portfolio, including its Lync unified-communi-cations platform, Outlook and Xbox Live. And Skype's huge customer base could give Microsoft considerable influence within the evolving VOIP (voice over IP) and video conferencing markets.