Microsoft announced on May 10 that it bought Skype, an Internet communications maker, for $8.5 billion.



From All About Microsoft:

Instead of trying to mash Skype into an existing Microsoft business division, the company has decided to create a new, separate Skype business division, with Skype CEO Tony Bates as the newly minted President. Bates will report directly to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

In its press release announcing the deal, Microsoft played up the potential synergies between Skype and its own communications offerings, including its Lync VOIP platform, Outlook mail, Messenger instant-messaging, Hotmail Web mail and Xbox LIVE gaming service.

  Microsoft buys Skype for $8.5 billion; creates new business division