Microsoft has made a move to purchase Internet phone and chat company Skype that will eventually see the service added to the Xbox 360.
The console and software manufacturer is set to buy Skype for a very aggressive $8.5 billion in cash.
“Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the world,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in a statement. “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.”
Microsoft plans to marry Skype with many of its other devices services including the Xbox 360 and Kinect, Xbox LIVE, Windows Phone and MS Office. The company is shooting for the communications service to become a killer app across all of its platforms.
Integrating Skype with Kinect and Xbox 360 to allow video chat appears to be the most natural fit for the application. The two already provide video chat but only with the closed Xbox LIVE system. Expanding the ability to video chat outside of the closed Xbox LIVE environment could be what makes the integration of Skype worthwhile.
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Article source: http://www.examiner.com/console-gaming-in-national/xbox-360-will-add-skype-with-latest-microsoft-deal
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