Hotmail blows, but otherwise I agree.
Even as a Windows 7 user I can agree that they once were, yes. But as you said, not anymore.
Hmmmm, I wonder
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Microsoft to Acquire Skype for $8.5 Billion
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Hotmail blows, but otherwise I agree.
Even as a Windows 7 user I can agree that they once were, yes. But as you said, not anymore.
Hmmmm, I wonder
Since WLM is a larger network than Skype, and both Skype and WLM does text, audio, and video conversations, this has to be about Microsoft being very willing to pay to get to the paying Skype customers, and not about the technology or competence at Skype. (so I feel sorry for the Skype staff today!)
However, this still means that Microsoft are 1) paying for a service despite already having the technology and infrastructure to 2) get to the paying subscribers that 3) still form a service that is running with losses. Yes, Skype isn't even profitable on its own legs despite their paying users.
So... Hmm... Clearly some plans here to integrate Skype in new ways, and Microsoft hoping it'll bring them totally awesome synergy effects that'll pay these $8.5 billion. I'll believe it when I see it.
Concur,
This is almost no real technology Skype has that is special for M$.
It must be all about BRAND recognition behind Skype and the customer base.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Computer,_Inc._v._Microsoft_Corporation
Because much of the court's ruling was based on the original licensing agreement between Apple and Microsoft for Windows 1.0, it made the case more of a contractual matter than of copyright law, to the chagrin of Apple. This also meant that the court avoided a more far-reaching "look and feel copyright" precedent ruling. However, the case did establish that the analytic dissection (rather than the general "look and feel") of a user interface is vital to any copyright decision on such matters.
In 1997, five years after the lawsuit was decided, all lingering infringement questions against Microsoft regarding the Lisa and Macintosh GUI as well as Apple's "QuickTime piracy" lawsuit against Microsoft were settled in direct negotiations. Apple agreed to make Internet Explorer their default browser, to the detriment of Netscape. Microsoft agreed to continue developing Microsoft Office and other software for the Mac over the next five years. Microsoft also purchased $150 million of non-voting Apple stock, helping Apple in its financial struggles at the time. Both parties entered into a patent cross-licensing agreement.[6][7]
I don't know about Wiki's veracity from day to day, but your quote supports my comments.
Haven't heard anything about it in 14 years, either.
Oh, the patent agreement may have been the biggest dollar amount in the deal, actually. But I don't know.
XP pre-SP2 was a very dark time in my life. I began to lose interest in computers as a hobby because of it. 90% of my time was spent running Spyware Search & Destroy.
I was initially reluctant to switch to the Mac because it didn't have Spyware Search & Destroy, so I didn't know how I was going to spend 90% of my computing time now. That's how bad it got for me. Battered computer user syndrome.
You know Apple was dying. Their stock was dropping like a stone.
When Bill Gates made his appearance and the announcement was made, it stopped the stock price from plummeting. 150 million was not what helped Apple, it was the perception that MS was there to help that stopped Apple shareholders from selling off and running elsewhere.
I agree that the money itself wasn't what saved Apple.
Damn, I like using Skype, I guess this means Microsoft will now have all our info as well. I wonder how long it will be before we see ads. May have to look into an alternative to Skype, is there one?
I will not be surprised if they eliminate iOS and Mac video support. Android is still voice only at least last time I tried. They will keep voice on all systems as that's how Skype makes money.
I think Microsoft will try to force people to buy Windows phone to use Skype on a mobile phone. This has to be one of the major reasons Microsoft did this as well as the Kinect. And they will surely integrate it right into Windows 8.
And us iOS, OS X, and Android users will probably have to switch to Fring or whatever takes Skype's place since the market will need a multi-platform product.
I think Microsoft will try to force people to buy Windows phone to use Skype on a mobile phone. This has to be one of the major reasons Microsoft did this as well as the Kinect. And they will surely integrate it right into Windows 8.
And us iOS, OS X, and Android users will probably have to switch to Fring or whatever takes Skype's place since the market will need a multi-platform product.
Sky Genuine Advantage Notice:
You must activate the Skype Premier Home and Student Edition XP within the next 17 minutes and 42 seconds, otherwise the outgoing call function will be limited.
To activate your copy of Sky Premier Home and Student Edition XP, please find the 25 digits product key at the back of the CD case. Thank you for using the Skype Genuine Advantage service.
You must activate the Skype Premier Home and Student Edition XP within the next 17 minutes and 42 seconds, otherwise the outgoing call function will be limited.
To activate your copy of Sky Premier Home and Student Edition XP, please find the 25 digits product key at the back of the CD case. Thank you for using the Skype Genuine Advantage service.
A lot of people who had problems pre-SP2 were not using things like Firewalls & AV software. SP2 came with a Firewall and prompted users to install AV software. Virus's are as much a fault of the user as the OS so it's no surprise a lot of people had problems when they had no protection at all! Even routers & wireless routers back then had no firewall built-in, people were such easy targets!
Why do you perceive MS as such a anti-apple company? As many have said, and IMO, MS bought if for its brand/logo. Many people are familiar with skype, so why create a new one and struggle to get it mainstream?
They will change the ToU, slowly refresh the GUI, and perhaps change the name (which would suck). However doesn't mean it will stink.
Only time will tell. So unless anyone here is holding a crystal ball, lets find out. In the meantime, those who still use it can continue to use it.
As long as they keep the prices for international calls as low as they are now, I'll be happy.
Skype hasn't seen much innovation over the years, so there isn't much Microsoft can skrew up, I hope.
I think this is a great opportunity for MS to gain some credibility back. Especial within the Mac community.
Here is hoping for the best.
Skype hasn't seen much innovation over the years, so there isn't much Microsoft can skrew up, I hope.
I think this is a great opportunity for MS to gain some credibility back. Especial within the Mac community.
Here is hoping for the best.
Definitely a lot of money overall, but chump change for MS...
But the reality is that Skype (with all it's features...not just the free stuff) is big and is going to be huge more than we can probably imagine.
MS gets all the customers with this purchase, a great platform, brand recognition, and the future of video/voice/conference calling via internet. Skype could easily be a major competitor to Webex. Skype could also be bundled into Sharepoint or other business class software.
You'd be surprised how much companies pay monthly for Webex and similar services.
This can only be a good thing.
Once Microsoft complete the take over and integrate Skype into Microsoft, they will teach them how to make a real app that doesn't take over your whole screen just to make a video call.
I expect a 64bit cocoa Skype by the end of the year that integrates very nicely with everything. Also a Windows version, xbox version, WP7 version, iOS version etc etc
Good times.
Skype 5 sucks on both Mac and Windows.
Cant believe how many people have voted negative and posted stupid comments because of their blind ignorant misplaced hatred of Microsoft.
Apple has made many mistakes over the years too just like Microsoft, and have made many success stories just like Microsoft. I bet most of the people who post crap on here these days are from the post-Snow Leopard/iOS 3 era and have no recollection of OS X 10.0 - 10.3.
Microsoft doesnt hate Apple. Apple doesnt hate Microsoft. Get over yourselves. Microsoft are making a lot of stuff for the Mac and iOS platform, some of it comes out before the Windows version or the Mac versions are slightly better. Its business. As such, Microsoft has an entire division dedicated to making apps for Mac OS X.
They will not remove Skype from Mac. That would be silly and lose $$. Businesses don't do things to lose $$.
Once Microsoft complete the take over and integrate Skype into Microsoft, they will teach them how to make a real app that doesn't take over your whole screen just to make a video call.
I expect a 64bit cocoa Skype by the end of the year that integrates very nicely with everything. Also a Windows version, xbox version, WP7 version, iOS version etc etc
Good times.
Skype 5 sucks on both Mac and Windows.
Cant believe how many people have voted negative and posted stupid comments because of their blind ignorant misplaced hatred of Microsoft.
Apple has made many mistakes over the years too just like Microsoft, and have made many success stories just like Microsoft. I bet most of the people who post crap on here these days are from the post-Snow Leopard/iOS 3 era and have no recollection of OS X 10.0 - 10.3.
Microsoft doesnt hate Apple. Apple doesnt hate Microsoft. Get over yourselves. Microsoft are making a lot of stuff for the Mac and iOS platform, some of it comes out before the Windows version or the Mac versions are slightly better. Its business. As such, Microsoft has an entire division dedicated to making apps for Mac OS X.
They will not remove Skype from Mac. That would be silly and lose $$. Businesses don't do things to lose $$.
That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. I suppose if I get mugged and killed tonight, that's my fault too, let's not arrest anyone.
Hilarious! Some of the posts here display macfanboyism at its best/worst.
Already you're writing off Skype, looking for alternatives or slagging off Microsoft for something they haven't even done yet. The acquisition has only just happened, Microsoft hasn't actually done anything yet (hell, I imagine the paperwork hasn't even gone through yet) and yet you're dumping all over it?
Grow up.
Already you're writing off Skype, looking for alternatives or slagging off Microsoft for something they haven't even done yet. The acquisition has only just happened, Microsoft hasn't actually done anything yet (hell, I imagine the paperwork hasn't even gone through yet) and yet you're dumping all over it?
Grow up.
Dude, you are right, they are out to get you.... trust noone! My thought is why would anyone want to record where you have been using a phones GPS and store that data???
Personally, I think this is great for the Skype service. With Microsoft's backing and planned integration into its existing networks, Skype's popularity will surge upwards quite a bit.
Considering the great job that their Office for Mac team did with their 2011 edition (at last bringing it up to date with the Windows version), I reckon Skype for Mac will finally be given the resources it needs to become as good as the Windows client.
And yes, for those who can't be bothered to read to the end of the news item (and I've noticed a few), they're going to continue supporting the service on non-Microsoft platforms. Maybe we'll even get that iPad client.
Considering the great job that their Office for Mac team did with their 2011 edition (at last bringing it up to date with the Windows version), I reckon Skype for Mac will finally be given the resources it needs to become as good as the Windows client.
And yes, for those who can't be bothered to read to the end of the news item (and I've noticed a few), they're going to continue supporting the service on non-Microsoft platforms. Maybe we'll even get that iPad client.
This came out of nowhere considering just last week news was reporting that Facebook was looking to buy Skype.
There's no such thing as a realistic comparison. Not really. Hence, the hyperbole.Hardly a realistic comparison.
That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. I suppose if I get mugged and killed tonight, that's my fault too, let's not arrest anyone.
Well that depends, did you really trust that big guy asking you to come inside his basement for free cookies and milk, cause they were free and he also offered dancing girls???? Then yeah you derseved what was coming to you