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Google interested in acquiring Skype?

updated 12:15 pm EST, Mon November 19, 2007

Google to buy Skype?

Google may be looking into acquiring Skype, creators of the famous VoIP network and software, rumors suggest. Anonymous individuals within the London web industry hint that Google is already in negotiations for Skype, which Google would have to buy from the current owner, auction site company eBay. The latter is said to be unhappy with how much it paid, which amounted to $1.3 billion plus 32.8 million shares; in the third quarter of 2007, Skype produced only $98 million in net revenue. Aiding the rumor is the fact that Google's mobile projects are based in London, which may mean that it plans to incorporate Skype technology into Android.

The United Kingdom was the first launchpoint for the Skypephone, a device that allows Skype users to call each other for free over cellular lines. Google could in theory seek to place Android on future incarnations of the Skypephone, or do the reverse, by incorporating Skypephone technology into Android on more conventional phones. [via The Guardian]

 
Previous Comments

Many times I have thought

11/19, 12:19pm reply

Apple should buy this & merge it + iChat...!

bobolicious

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2002

0

why buy Skype?!

11/19, 01:53pm reply

Google has no reason to buy Skype.. Google Talk already does voice over XMPP, and they can just hire for SIP/VoIP.. Maybe they would be better off buying Vonage for pennies on the dollar after they finally get killed by a patent lawsuit they can't license their way out of?

OtisWild

Junior Member

Joined: Feb 2005

0

what's in a name...

11/19, 02:07pm reply

If eBay are happy and willing to offload Skype, doubtless at a loss, they would be lucky to find a buyer and of course cash-rich Google sees value in terms of brand recognition alone notwithstanding any IP that might be of use. Skype's very association with eBay and PayPal is enough to put many people off. Google would be (perceived as) a far more consumer friendly home for Skype. I hope it happens!

Feathers

Forum Regular

Joined: Oct 1999

0

A little strange

11/19, 05:06pm reply

Gizmo Project seems more google-esque actually http://www.gizmoproject.com/

Okonomiyaki

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Apr 2003

0

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