Wow, a few days ago I posted that Google/Facebook were in the run to purchase Skype, but in a stunning twist of fate, Microsoft’s deal with Skype is complete.
This is Microsoft’s first big acquisition since 2008 and its a big one. Skype has been trying to spread their technology to several different platforms in all segments today’s tech world (gaming, mobile, corporate, etc) and now Microsoft will have its chance to integrate it with all of their products as well. Aside from the xbox 360 Kinect, I’m not sure what other products will benefit, but we will see. I still think Facebook would have been the better choice. Analysts agree that maybe this specific deal between Skype and Microsoft wasn’t the best, but for different reasons than me. In fact, Whitney Tilson, founder and a managing partner of T2 Partners LLC, who owns Microsoft shares, also includes:
I wish they had not done it. Initially when I first read about it, I hated the deal. Now, I don’t like it. Everybody I know uses it and I am glad Microsoft owns it. They just probably paid too much for it.
Others, including Kim Caughey Forrest, senior analyst at Fort Pitt Capital Group, which holds Microsoft shares, said:
They really have to do some explaining as to how this company merited that price and how they’ll return the value to shareholders.
Time will tell, Microsoft could prove to prevail with this acquisition and make the next big killer Kinect and Skype combo OR reach everyone in the world!
Interesting news to come out of today’s business world. Cannot wait to see what comes next from either of these two corporations.