MSFT: We Promise Not to Screw Up Skype
Microsoft now has a tool to take on Apple in the video-calling sector thus there's no room for screwing up Skype's established user base.
It wasn't much of a surprise Tuesday when Microsoft announced its plan to purchase Skype for an insane $8.5 billion in cash. After all, we previously warmed up to reports that a deal would possibly go down with Facebook or Google. Skype was dangling on a hook and that one of the big fish would take the bait sometime this week-- even a big fish like Microsoft as later reports revealed.
But once Microsoft announced its deal, one major concern immediately began to surface: will Microsoft screw up Skype? Will Microsoft limit or even end support for the service on non-Microsoft products? After all, Microsoft has a history of purchasing companies that succeed fairly well, and those that never live up to their initial promises.
That said, CEO Steve Ballmer said during a conference call that things aren't going to change for clients on iOS, Android and Mac-- the company will continue to develop and support those non-Microsoft client platforms as-is.
“I said it, I mean it," Ballmer told reporters after the conference call. "We will continue to support other platforms. We are one of the few companies that has the track record of doing this beforehand. We have done a lot of work bringing Office to the Mac and we’ve done a lot of great work with other Apple devices. Fundamental to the value proposition of communications is to reach people whether they’re on your device or not."
With Skype's cross-platform capabilities intact, what does that mean for the Windows client? Will Microsoft customers see a dramatic change on the UI side? Little is known at this point save for that the popular VoIP service will support Microsoft devices like Xbox and Kinect, Windows Phone and a wide array of Windows devices. There's also no guarantee that the service will remain free, as the company said it wouldn't comment on how Skype and its features will change.
"Microsoft will connect Skype users with Lync, Outlook, Xbox Live and other communities," the company announced in an official statement. "Microsoft will continue to invest in and support Skype clients on non-Microsoft platforms."
John Shinal of the Wall Street Journal brings up an interesting point: Microsoft just shelled out $8.5 billion in cash for a service that's mostly free. By the end of 2010, 8.8 million of Skype's 145 million customers actually paid for the service-- that's a mere 7-percent of the entire user base. One in ten customers actually think Skype is work paying a fee.
And Microsoft just dumped $8.5 billion into the service.
The Redmond-based company can't screw this up. Why? Because Skype is now Microsoft’s primary tool to tackle Apple in the video calling sector. More importantly, Skype is installed on Macs, iPhones, iPod Touch devices and iPads. Apple's FaceTime is ironically locked to the iOS and Mac platform.
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yeah you go ms
This article's title sounds exactly like what MS needs to do.
Let's hope they keep their promise.
that's a mere 7-percent of the entire user base. One in ten customers actually think Skype is work paying a fee.
I think your auto correct tools aren't work the money you paid for them, Tom's.
Marriage between Live Messenger and Skype?
I will begin to officially hold my breath now in anticipation of MS staying true to their word....not.
I might be in the minority but I actually think this is a good thing for the skype application/services and future developments. Oddly the article didn't mention linux and android developments. I think MS will do a better job in this area than Skype has provided up until now. I guess time will tell.
MS has to do it right because that user base will quickly flock to the next big application like skype that comes around. 8.5 billion is a lot to pay to even take a chance at screwing it up. Essentially they paid for the user base and potential advertising.
"CEO Steve Ballmer said during a conference call that things aren't going to change for clients on iOS, Android and Mac-- the company will continue to develop and support those non-Microsoft client platforms as-is."
So I guess that mean Android will never have video-enabled Skype?
Marriage between Live Messenger and Skype?
you mean that thing that gets disabled in msconfig every time i format and install windows?
Really hope MS doesn't screw this up. And yes, Tom's, you've been slacking with your editing process for quite a while now. it's getting rather annoying.
the title sounds like a subconscious admission that we screw up a lot of things - big or small, we're good at it.
"That said, CEO Steve Ballmer said during a conference call that things aren't going to change for clients on iOS, Android and Mac" ... so the Linux desktop version is dead? Fuck you Microsoft.
Hopefully, they won't try to start charging for it. On mobile platforms that isn't an issue anyway as you have to pay for service. If they try to charge for skype on PC people will simply move to one of the many other nearly-identical services, like ventrillo or teamspeak.
"That said, CEO Steve Ballmer said during a conference call that things aren't going to change for clients on iOS, Android and Mac" ... so the Linux desktop version is dead? Fuck you Microsoft.
It's been barely alive for years. Even multi-user AV conferencing took years to be added to the Windows client so I wasn't expecting much on Linux even before the sale. This is a good excuse to go looking for a proper SIP or XMPP/Jingle client or just set up my own BigBlueButton server.
Ballmer, za white monkey!
since moving to the other side of the world 16 years ago and originally paying international landline charges, skype has saved me an absolute fortune on keeping in touch with my family and friends. i can only see this as ending badly for users like me, but i can't complain after so many years of using the service. i also have a 'skype out' account which i use to contact people not online or for customer service calls etc. here's hoping msft doesn't screw this one up...
"One in ten customers actually think Skype is work paying a fee."
WORTH paying a fee
Microsoft will keep its promise at least for the near term, but will Skype be mostly free? That’s what only time can tell.
really?....i don't think so....everything Microsoft touches gets bugs, lol
Ballmer, za white monkey!
LOL
really?....i don't think so....everything Microsoft touches gets bugs, lol
LOL
Surely, Microsoft won't screw this up. I mean just look at how good the Windows operating system is. Look at how cheap Microsoft Office is. Look at how the world is completely flat.
If I can voice chat with my buddies on Xbox Live from my laptop while they play a game, I will be so happy. Microsoft better not screw up.
"Will Microsoft limit or even end support for the service on non-Microsoft products? After all, Microsoft has a history of purchasing companies that succeed fairly well"
Umm, Syke has NEVER earned a cent — it has allways been unprofitable. How is that 'fairing well'?
In tearms of popularity, sure, but financially — not even close.
On WP7 integration of Skype would be nice, all my contacts have a the option of a phone call or a Skype call, if i'm at home on my Wifi it would certainly be a cheaper option than using my minutes and then it would be worth a fee.
Surely, Microsoft won't screw this up. I mean just look at how good the Windows operating system is. Look at how cheap Microsoft Office is. Look at how the world is completely flat.
I really like Windows 7. £20 a PC for Office Home and Student isn't too bad IMO.
Surely, Microsoft won't screw this up. I mean just look at how good the Windows operating system is. Look at how cheap Microsoft Office is. Look at how the world is completely flat.
Windows 7 is brilliant, MS Office is very competative and your last statement just shows how much of a hater you are.
How can they screw up a product that is already so crappy... They totally overpaid for Skype. In comparison, NBC sold for a mere 5.1 billion. How does Skype, which hardly works properly and hardly generates revenue, go for 8.5 B? MS, you crazy. I hope MS goes Cloverleaf on their behinds and dismantles Skype, and rebuilds it such that it's quality isn't so horrible.
People are so cynical about Microsoft. Look, they won't F up the secret sauce. Not for any reason of charity but because it's good business.
Ballmer gets it "Fundamental to the value proposition of communications is to reach people whether they’re on your device or not"
Let go of the 90s people. MS paid their dues on the monopoly crap (it's officially over) and has actually been playing nice for a long time. The golden child, AAPL, is far bigger than MSFT now and they strong arm far more.
If MS makes good stuff, use it. If not, use something else. Actually find out if it's good *before* you decide though. What a concept.
I think skype and MS working together will be a good thing. Obviously, if they paid 8.4 billion for it, Ballmer thinks it's worth it.
Why do I getting the sneaking suspicion that Skype is going to heavily spy on its users for no on?