As you know by now, Microsoft has a deal in place to purchase Skype for a reported $8.5 billion dollars, despite many analysts saying that the purchase price overvalues Skype; but the purchase could be a game changer for the Xbox 360 and Kinect.
According to our sources, Microsoft has plans to bring Skype to the Xbox 360 platform and, of course, support Kinect for use in Skype video chats. The move could position the Xbox 360 and Kinect as the preferred living room chat device. It will also extend the communication abilities beyond the normal inter-Xbox Live communication, which will be good.
In addition to the Xbox 360 with Kinect, Microsoft has plans (naturally) to bring Skype to Windows Phone as well as connecting Skype with Microsoft’s own Lync Business Enterprise Communications solution. Skype integration directly into Outlook is also likely planned. Microsoft claims that it will still support Skype clients on other platforms.
A Skype client was released for the PSP in January 2008 to little fanfare. Despite rumors of Skype coming to the PlayStation 3 platform, it has never materialized or been officially announced. Rumors of a possible Skype client for the Nintendo DS platform have also circulated several times, and while technically possible it seems as though Nintendo has little interest in adding it.
Could be a game changer for Microsoft
David Stellmack
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view itLatest from David Stellmack