Uncategorized
Microsoft Skype: What's In It For Customers?
Published
13 years agoon
By Mark Scheerer
Microsoft is ponying up $8.5 billion to buy Skype with its user base of 170 million people. Microsoft plans to integrate Skype’s video and voice technology into products such as Xbox, Outlook e-mail and Windows mobile phones.
Analysts will debate for some time whether it’s a good business deal. But how will it affect Skype’s devoted customers?
John Nichols, co-founder of FreePress, a national media reform organization, is concerned about too few companies controlling too many tiers of communication.
“They’re both good companies in many ways. There’s a lot to be said for both of them. But when you put them together, you have fewer options.”
Matt Wood, associate director of Media Access Project, another watchdog group, says the deal may be a “net” positive. His organization hopes Microsoft will more strongly embrace network neutrality and other policies aimed at keeping the Web free, partly because services such as Skype which depend on access to existing networks potentially could be crippled by “large and anti-competitive carriers like AT&T and Verizon.”
“Whatever consumer benefits are to come from this deal, though, we think it’s essential that they be preserved and enhanced through open Internet protections and principles and policies that are enforced by the FCC.”
A spokesman for the Federal Communications Commission had no comment. It is seen as unlikely the deal will require FCC approval.
Michael Ballmer, Microsoft’s chief executive officer, along with Skype CEO Tony Bates, announced the deal at a news conference in Redmond, Wash.
“Microsoft and Skype together will bring together hundreds of millions – or, as Tony said, billions – of consumers and empower them to communicate in new and interesting ways.”
Microsoft says more advertisements on its video service are likely.
Skype is free if used between Skype customers. Revenue comes from long-distance charges when Skype users call telephone numbers and mobile phones. That model raises the question of whether future success – in the form of more free users – will hurt the new division’s bottom line, and how Microsoft would address the resulting revenue loss.
From the Big Sky Connection
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Thursday) 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm