http://xbox360.gamespy.com/articles/116/1167072p1.html
I'm not happy about this news. While Skype can sometimes be incredibly stupid even across the last 4 versions, it has some of the best call quality for VOIP that I've found. And it's about to be hi-jacked by MS so they can use it to support 360 gamers and Kinnect.
Nothing could really change, but somehow, I have a feeling that's not the case. At the very least, I expect MS to start requiring payments for premium skype service, and if I see my call quality dropping, I'm heading back to Ventrillo.
While I am not happy to hear that Microsoft has bought this service, it is not exactly bothersome. More than likely you are right to say that Microsoft will probably decrease the overall quality and even add a paid licensing system to the program. However, Skype has already proved a point about communication in the internet age, and Microsoft's purchase of Skype does not detract from this. The reason that Skype has become prolific amongst internet users is the quality of the program and the rich feature set. Thus, competitors to Skype have had an uphill battle in their attempts to gain market share. If Microsoft actually moves to either change the feature set or require payment, this uphill battle begins to decrease drastically and competing products will begin to fill the void.
I agree that Skype's popularity is in direct relation to its quality. To me, I was waiting for Skype to turn to some paid model years ago, because it had its niche so in check.
I just don't see MS leaving a good thing alone. Especially considering how much traffic Skype handles (I'm told 25% of all international calls.) Even with small adjustments to the business model, what really threatens Skype? Ventrillo? Voice chat that comes bundled with other software? A startup? I'm pretty sure Google Voice is already dead in the water, isn't it?
Hmmm...Skype features get individually priced...feature prices rise...then it costs as much to use Skype as a cell phone plan...no more use for Skype.
Thanks Microsoft--we love you. At least iTunes didn't buy Skype.
Considering Micro$oft buys nearly everything they want I'm not too surprised.
Wonder how this will affect price'n'stuff.
you're a bad, bad person island dog
ID wins by a furlong.
Switched to Skype from Vent a while back for the same reasons as most (quality). I won't miss it if MS tries something stupid though.
In a perfect world, maybe MS will use the technology to improve the MSN messenger voice so it isn't a useless POS.
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