微软巨资收购Skype，将支持XBOX和Kinect，PS系或继续支持

Schelfaniel

       微软和VoIP领导厂商Skype今天宣布就微软收购Skype达成协议。微软将向Skype控股方，以Silver Lake为首的投资集团支付85亿美元现金。该协议已获双方董事会许可。
       Skype将为Xbox和Kinect、Windows Phone以及Windows全系列等微软产品提供支持，微软则为Skype用户提供到Lync, Outlook, Xbox Live以及其他社区的连接。微软将继续为非微软平台的Skype客户端提供支持，也就说或将继续支持PS系。
      
     PS：PSP上已经用上了Skype，而PSN跨游戏聊天索尼之前传言打算用Skype。现在Skype被微软收购了，支不支持不明朗。（个人猜测是PSP继续支持，PSN不一定）

      以下是官方新闻稿，不翻译了：
      REDMOND, Wash., and LUXEMBOURG – May 10, 2011 – 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.

“Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the world,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. “Together we will create the future of real-time communications so people can easily stay connected to family, friends, clients and colleagues anywhere in the world.”

Skype will become a new business division within Microsoft, and Skype CEO Tony Bates will assume the title of president of the Microsoft Skype Division, reporting directly to Ballmer.

“Microsoft and Skype share the vision of bringing software innovation and products to our customers,” said Tony Bates. “Together, we will be able to accelerate Skype's plans to extend our global community and introduce new ways for everyone to communicate and collaborate,” Bates said.