Microsoft Buys Skype

Yes yes, I know the news is a little old, but it is important. Earlier this week Microsoft made the decision to buy Skype for $8.5 billion. The interesting fact about the purchase is that it comes right before Skype planned on going public. If that had happened, Google and Facebook would have had the chance to buy shares in it. This means Google in particular better step up its game with Google Voice. Amongst other things, there was worry that Microsoft might stop supporting other platforms, make Skype a "Windows Exclusive". Steve Ballmer assured the public that cross platform support will continue, undisrupted. I personally hope there aren't charges that will start popping up to use certain Skype services, or anything like that. In addition, I hope that Google will fight back and leave their calling service free.

~Dave

Gmail or Skype?

With the new addition of a calling method in Gmail, Skype now has a competitor. Skype has been around long time and have really cemented their roots. Gmail is new and people aren't really sure where this feature will lead to. The thing is, they both do almost the exact same thing, with subtle differences of course. The biggest being that Gmail runs in your browser, where as Skype runs in an applications. They both require an internet connection, and allow free calling in the US and Canada. They can also make free calls to the same program (Gmail to Gmail and Skype to Skype). In addition, they both have fees for calling outside the US, although the fees are not so high. However, one thing Skype does have over Gmail is the ability to show people your screen while you are talking with them. On the other hand, Gmail has the ability to transfer calls from the browser to your phone for free if you have Google Voice setup for it. Both are great options for calling people, leave a comment on which one you prefer and why. I personally use Skype more because it is an application and I don't have to navigate to a website.

~Dave