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Skype's Sale As Media Feint
ansak writes "Bob Cringely's latest article shows evidence that some aspects of the 90s bubble are indeed back: Why would Rupert Murdoch think of paying $3billion for a mostly free online service like Skype? But his last line shows a keen understanding of Murdoch's skills and methods: 'By putting Skype in play, he distracts for no money at all most of the major media companies. And while they try to figure out how to respond to VoIP, old Rupert will be attacking them on some completely other front. He'll be stealing their shoes.'"
Bob Cringely's latest article shows evidence that some aspects of the 90s bubble are indeed back: Why would Rupert Murdoch think of paying $3billion for a mostly free online service like Skype?
This is the classic fake left and go right. It has been around as long as competition in business. Why is it that as soon as you throw in a 'net, eThis, iThat, or whatever other technology related slang, people immediately get stupind and forgetful? It's business plain and simple. Make your competitor concentrate on one part of the market and you have free reign in the rest. It's that simple.
$3b is a lot but Skype has a large and loyal user base. They could tie in a lot of things like: legal online music sales, expanding SkypeOut and SkypeIn and banner ads in the software. With Skype expanding out of the PC (like how Motorola is adding Skype to some of their phones) it has a lot of potential.
It's a little like someone looking at buying Apple. While they have good hardware and software they are so much more. Maybe that's what Murdoch sees for the future of Skype.
But is it worth $3b? I don't know.
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity but they've always worked for me" - HST
Perhaps there is a connection.
You are being MICROattacked, from various angles, in a SOFT manner.
Skype works behind NATs and is available for Linux and OS X.
There aren't really any alternatives.