Microsoft May Replace Xbox Live Chat With Skype

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Microsoft May Replace Xbox Live Chat With Skype

Posted by Soulskill on Wednesday January 16, 2013 @10:50AM from the enjoy-your-hate-speech-at-a-higher-bitrate dept.

CVG is reporting that Microsoft is working on "consolidating all their communications technology" around Skype, which they acquired in 2011 for $8.5 billion. Citing a source within the company, they say Skype will "become the default chat service on the next generation Xbox console as well as on PC and tablets." This would fit in with Microsoft's recent announcement that it is closing Messenger in March and replacing it with Skype. The article also cites a Microsoft job posting from last August which sought a UI designer for "Skype in the living room," with a focus on the next-gen Xbox system.

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Uh oh... by Bobfrankly1 · 2013-01-16 10:52 · Score: 5, Funny

Just what I need. Join an Xbox live party to see everyone's sitting around, naked on their couch like me...*facepalm*
1. Re:Uh oh... by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · 2013-01-16 11:00 · Score: 1
  
  On the plus side, zit-shame might be enough to force the current 'dubiously-pubescent-assholes-screaming-obsceneties-into-the-mic' Xbox live chat demographic into hiding...
2. Re:Uh oh... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-16 11:07 · Score: 0
  
  On the plus side, zit-shame might be enough to force the current 'dubiously-pubescent-assholes-screaming-obsceneties-into-the-mic' Xbox live chat demographic into hiding...
  ...until they figure out they can just point the Kinect cameras at a still image of some random sample from Generic Female Porn Star Cloning Vat #4542-b and insist repeatedly that she's his girlfriend.
  More pathetic if the image is instead from one of the Generic Female Hentai Art Factories, with similar insistence of a girlfriend status.
3. Re:Uh oh... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-16 11:14 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  Just what I need. Join an Xbox live party to see everyone's sitting around, naked on their couch like me...*facepalm*
  Did Microsoft buy Chatroulette too?
4. Re:Uh oh... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-16 11:24 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  not girlfriend! ayumi-tan is my waifu!
5. Re:Uh oh... by Kalriath · 2013-01-16 13:03 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Actually, Chatroulette banned nudity. As a result, noone uses it.
  
  --
  For a site about things like basic rights, Slashdot users sure do like to censor "dissent".
6. Re:Uh oh... by davester666 · 2013-01-16 15:47 · Score: 1
  
  This is just an effort to consolidate the ability of the US gov't to listen in to all your communication. It is a pain to have to use different software to listen to different calls depending on which service someone uses to communicate with a possible terrorist.
  
  --
  Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
7. Re:Uh oh... by hairyfeet · 2013-01-16 16:49 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Are you kidding? They'll probably just take teabagging to a whole new and even more disgusting level.
  
  --
  ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
Blog spam and wishful thinking... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-16 11:17 · Score: 1

Slashdot's editors fail again... Post some official news, not some hearsay from a loser with a blog.
Re:Awesome! by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-16 11:47 · Score: 1

Good for you. You don't own a TV, either, I'm sure.
Ingame chat too? by im_thatoneguy · 2013-01-16 12:00 · Score: 4, Interesting

The article was fuzzy on details. Is the source suggesting in-game chat will go through the skype network as well? How does skype work with 36 people in a server? Also I never have echo or other problems with Xbox Live I have terrible problems with Skype. Could easily be because everybody has headsets in Xbox Live.
1. Re:Ingame chat too? by Sir_Sri · 2013-01-16 12:10 · Score: 1
  
  How does skype work with 36 people in a serve
  
  Fine
  But for
  
  Also I never have echo or other problems with Xbox Live I have terrible problems with Skype.
  Skype works about as well for multi person chat as it does for two.
2. Re:Ingame chat too? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-16 14:23 · Score: 0
  
  We use Skype all the time for groups at work... I can say it sucks unless you have one person talking and everyone else listening -- last time I checked listened to an xbox game it was nothing like that. I see this as a huge failure... unless you don't want to hear video games or their players.
3. Re:Ingame chat too? by dkf · 2013-01-16 22:08 · Score: 1
  
  We use Skype all the time for groups at work... I can say it sucks unless you have one person talking and everyone else listening -- last time I checked listened to an xbox game it was nothing like that. I see this as a huge failure... unless you don't want to hear video games or their players.
  Having used a number of different systems for teleconferencing (and videoconferencing) over the years for work, Skype is definitely one of the better ones in that they do a lot better at handling the volume matching problem than most, and they're pretty good at stamping out feedback loops. Only Webex was consistently better on those fronts of the things I've tried, and given how much that costs, that's what you'd expect. Skype is also probably the best at firewall navigation (a serious issue when you're not just staying in one place) and I've not tried the traditional-telephone integration stuff with it. As long as you've got enough bandwidth, the only real issues with Skype are actually to do with people switching their microphones off or other similarly dumb stuff.
  In short, if you think Skype is bad, you've lived a very sheltered life (and I'm jealous!).
  
  --
  "Little does he know, but there is no 'I' in 'Idiot'!"
Sounds like a winning combination by Sydin · 2013-01-16 12:20 · Score: 4, Funny

Skype constantly drops calls. The average Xbox Live voice chat user really needs to shut the fuck up. Win win.
1. Re:Sounds like a winning combination by infinitelink · 2013-01-16 15:29 · Score: 2
  
  : D
  
  Anyway, most here probably know that Skype is a modified peer-to-peer client, leveraging the computers and bandwidth of the installed base to function, rather than requiring a large amount of dedicated hardware: it's the sort of decentralization the web's designers and the earlier dreamers meant to be common, but which isn't, and perhaps the only example of such software that is not only decentralized (thus "eggheadedly" designed)--though it can rely on centralized machines--but in common use among ordinary people (because, you know, it just works; not always perfectly, but most idiots can use it). Perhaps this move has more to do with the dropping-calls part: due to the design, by installing Skype everywhere, there will be far less call drops? Suddenly having millions of extra nodes (the XBoxes) could be a great boon for relaying information on the Skype network, not to mention lightening burdens on the bandwidth and machines that Microsoft has been using for its other communications services.
  
  --
  Intelligent idiots are we. | Evil men do not understand justice.
Better than Skype on iPhone by alen · 2013-01-16 12:38 · Score: 2

I Skype with family on my iPhone and iPad and would rather do it on my Xbox
The larger camera will show everyone and no need to hold anything
1. Re:Better than Skype on iPhone by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-16 12:54 · Score: 1
  
  I Skype with family on my iPhone and iPad and would rather do it on my Xbox
  The larger camera will show everyone and no need to hold anything
  Sorry but whaaaat?
  I have a HTPC where I have a skype videocalling possibilities. Little modified 28mm lense and TV of 42". Voice is done either bluetooth dongle (preferred) or via theater sound system with a conference mic with great echo cancelation (actually perfect).
  Still I like to make the call via tablet as I can be personall and show stuff from rear camera when needed. And if wanted, I can place tablet on table or else without holding it. And I am not tied to living room.
2. Re:Better than Skype on iPhone by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-16 15:07 · Score: 0
  
  Sorry but whaaaat?
  I have a HTPC where I have a skype videocalling possibilities. Little modified 28mm lense and TV of 42". Voice is done either bluetooth dongle (preferred) or via theater sound system with a conference mic with great echo cancelation (actually perfect).
  Yeah because when making a call i really want to fuck around with modifying lenses, bluetooth dongles and conference mics...or i could just use the xbox setup i already have.
3. Re:Better than Skype on iPhone by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-17 05:16 · Score: 0
  
  Okay, we get it, your setup is overly complicated and provides no benefits other than portability. You probably also run BSD. Now shut the fuck up.
start filing the lawsuits now by slashmydots · 2013-01-16 12:57 · Score: 3

Skype has video and you know it's only a matter of time before realtime video chat is mainstream on a console. So call your lawyer and start filing your lawsuit now because there's about to be a hurricane, chat roulette style. This time for more minors so I'm sure we can add the US senate into things. They tend to jump on stuff like that.
1. Re:start filing the lawsuits now by RaceProUK · 2013-01-17 00:45 · Score: 1
  
  And all the lawsuits are dismissed when the judge finds out the filers never turned on the Parental Controls.
  
  --
  No colour or religion ever stopped the bullet from a gun
2. Re:start filing the lawsuits now by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-18 14:02 · Score: 0
  
  Parental Controls are no excuse for breaking the law, in this case it would be pedophilia.
3. Re:start filing the lawsuits now by RaceProUK · 2013-01-18 21:59 · Score: 1
  
  I forgot this was hosted in a country where someone sued McDonalds for making them fat and won.
  
  --
  No colour or religion ever stopped the bullet from a gun
Actually pretty cool by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-16 12:58 · Score: 0

A lot of people use Skype, to integrate it to everything including Xbox is actually a great idea. But this is Slashdot and it will get shit all over just because it is Microsoft. Pathetic.
Better with Microsoft than eBay by Anubis_Ascended · 2013-01-16 13:17 · Score: 2

I personally believe that Skype has a better fit as a Microsoft-owned entity than it did as an eBay-owned entity. eBay had no [profitable] means to integrate it into their current business (e-commerce and online payments), and no experience in managing an instant messaging application. Microsoft, on the other hand, would be able to integrate Skype into their current business, and already has years of experience in managing an instant messaging application, due to their Messenger service.
1. Re:Better with Microsoft than eBay by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-16 15:33 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  eBay bought Skype for 2.5 billion and sold it for 8.5 to MS. Do I need to explain to you why it was a good move for eBay to buy (and sell) skype?
Hopeful by Icyfire0573 · 2013-01-16 14:11 · Score: 1

Well, I personally am looking forward to this. I hope it comes out for the 360. I currently have one with Kinect sitting completely unused. However, if it worked with Skype I could contact my brother and his kid on a much larger screen. (Clearly he doesn't have an XBOX)
1. Re:Hopeful by Belial6 · 2013-01-16 14:20 · Score: 2
  
  Unfortunately, it will likely require an Xbox Gold account, so you will have to start paying the monthly fees just like you do to use Netflix on an Xbox.
2. Re:Hopeful by Icyfire0573 · 2013-01-16 14:34 · Score: 1
  
  Thats crap, they want you to pay gold for everything. You know you can't even watch youtube videos without paying the gold fee. What is up with that?
3. Re:Hopeful by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-16 15:12 · Score: 0
  
  Unfortunately, it will likely require an Xbox Gold account, so you will have to start paying the monthly fees just like you do to use Netflix on an Xbox.
  So?
4. Re:Hopeful by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-16 16:18 · Score: 0
  
  It's $5 a month. It's an expense most people can manage for what's arguably the best online console gaming service.
  You dildo's can continue to bemoan the Gold fee though...MSFT will still make millions off of it.
5. Re:Hopeful by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-16 16:45 · Score: 1
  
  that's my point, all these ZOMG YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR XBOX LIVE douchebags, who cares? if you're too tight to pay $5 a month then you're probably not in a position to have time to spend using such services anyway...and if you're diametrically opposed to paying for such services don't get an xbox...but then if they took that advice they wouldn't be able to bitch about it.
6. Re:Hopeful by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-16 19:13 · Score: 0
  
  So long as enough people find the fee low enough to be worth paying for the services provided, it'll be there. You know, supply and demand. Capitalism 101.
7. Re:Hopeful by ciderbrew · 2013-01-16 22:04 · Score: 1
  
  Consoles games typically cost more than PC game. Consoles charge you for online connectivity and they charge you for DLC. Where is the good deal there? Sure PCs cost more upfront (not that much more for a standard games rig); but you can do so more with them. XBOX LIVE = rip off for those that don't realise it.
8. Re:Hopeful by RaceProUK · 2013-01-17 00:49 · Score: 1
  
  Consoles charge you for online connectivity
  It's a sham alright. How dare Sony and Nintendo charge $0 for playing games online? At least they have payment plans where I can spread the cost throughout the year.
  
  --
  No colour or religion ever stopped the bullet from a gun
9. Re:Hopeful by ciderbrew · 2013-01-17 02:45 · Score: 1
  
  Does PC mean Sony and Nintendo to you?
  I wrote PC game (sic) & "PCs cost more". Also I wrote "Consoles" x2 so that would be all the big 3.
  
  I think the main points of the post would be:
  1) Its about Consoles VS PC.
  2) The PC being better value for the consumer on both games cost and after sales value.
  3) PCs cost more than consoles; but you can do more with a PC (if you need justification for the costs).
  4) XBOX LIVE = rip off. Expectations for console users are lower than PC users.
  
  Did you know computers network very well without a central thing charging money to be able to do so?
10. Re:Hopeful by RaceProUK · 2013-01-17 07:10 · Score: 1
  
  Woah there, take a chill pill :-) Do you always go thermonuclear when someone corrects a single point?
  
  --
  No colour or religion ever stopped the bullet from a gun
WebRTC by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-16 14:37 · Score: 0

And skype will soon be replaced by WebRTC.
Can't wait by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-16 15:39 · Score: 3, Funny

till an incoming Skype call knocks my wife off Netflix in the living room AND knocks me off whatever shitty games for windows live port I'm playing in the office simultaneously.
Or not.. by cforciea · 2013-01-16 19:49 · Score: 1

How about making up random bullshit narratives, we look at what information we have in front of us. They are closing down messenger and wanting people to move to skype. The Xbox currently has messenger integration. Ergo, that is going away and getting replaced with Skype, just like we already know it is on PC. I see nothing here that indicates anything at all is happening with party chat, the current messaging, or anything at all besides removing messenger integration and adding Skype integration.

I mean, really, what seems more likely to you: the obvious consequences of replacing messenger with Skype apply to the Xbox just like everything else, or some shitty gaming site I've never heard of and which has an alexa rank of 8,429 is breaking the news that party chat as we know it is getting replaced?
Ugh! by EXTomar · 2013-01-17 02:46 · Score: 1

The quality of both XBox Live and Skype are both atrocious compared to hosted solutions. I've given up long ago on both where instead I'm using my own "solutions". I'm not sure the value is in doing this migration beyond the cross platform capability.
Skype multi-user by thejynxed · 2013-01-20 07:15 · Score: 1

It's abysmal. The sound quality is mediocre at best, and you better hope whomever hosts the call (if you do a group voice chat, the host becomes the "node" everyone else in the group goes through) has good upload bandwidth. If not, the entire thing sounds like shit.
I can see it now, how miserable it would work on XBox Live, with 30+ users and the "host" has a 768kb DSL upload rate.

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