Microsoft buys Skype

News was released this morning confirming that Microsoft has bought Skype for $US 8.5 Billion.

Microsoft says that Skype will have its own new business division which will be lead by the company's current CEO, Tony Bates. They also said that future improvements will include support for other MS devices, including Xbox and Kinect and Windows Phone.

I think this could be a good deal. MS really needed to find new business avenues as their operating system sales are falling and they still haven't been able to succeed that much in mobile. Adding Skype gives them instant access to the majority of smart mobile phone users, including iPhone users! What are your thoughts on this deal?

I have concerns that MS's historical red tape will weight Skype's development curves down.