Microsoft has announced an agreement to acquire Skype for $8.5 billion. Skype will support Microsoft devices like Xbox and Kinect, Windows Phone and a wide array of Windows devices, and Microsoft will connect Skype users with Lync, Outlook, Xbox Live and other communities.
Microsoft Corp. and Skype Global S.à r.l today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Microsoft will acquire Skype, the leading Internet communications company, for $8.5 billion in cash from the investor group led by Silver Lake. The agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both Microsoft and Skype.
The acquisition will increase the accessibility of real-time video and voice communications, bringing benefits to both consumers and enterprise users and generating significant new business and revenue opportunities. The combination will extend Skype’s world-class brand and the reach of its networked platform, while enhancing Microsoft’s existing portfolio of real-time communications products and services.
With 170 million connected users and over 207 billion minutes of voice and video conversations in 2010, Skype has been a pioneer in creating rich, meaningful connections among friends, families and business colleagues globally. Microsoft has a long-standing focus and investment in real-time communications across its various platforms, including Lync (which saw 30 percent revenue growth in Q3), Outlook, Messenger, Hotmail and Xbox LIVE.
Skype will support Microsoft devices like Xbox and Kinect, Windows Phone and a wide array of Windows devices, and Microsoft will connect Skype users with Lync, Outlook, Xbox Live and other communities. Microsoft will continue to invest in and support Skype clients on non-Microsoft platforms.
Joystiq.com have revealed the expected release date for the next annual Xbox LIVE Dashboard update which is set to provide additional security and new features.
Images sent to Joystiq by a Microsoft tech support employee reveal that the next Dashboard update will begin rolling out on May 19.
According to the documents, the update will be distributed in six separate waves between May 19 and May 30 "to ensure a high quality deployment." Additionally, while not technically part of the automatic update, Avatar Kinect is listed for a May 27 arrival as a separate download.
Aside from offering support for the new Microsoft disc format -- which will "be used in future game titles releasing later in 2011" -- the spring system update will enable PayPal support on the console, extending the payment option "to new international markets." PayPal will be "the only user facing feature" of the update.
The Spring 2011 System Update will expand paypal to new international markets and enable Paypal to be used as a payment method for points, content, and subscription purchased on the Xbox 360 Console. This is the only user facing feature in this update.
This release will also introduce support for a Xbox Game Disc Format (XGD3) that will be used in future game titles releasing later in 2011.
Additionally, Avatar Kinect will become available on May 27th as a separate download.
Announced ealier this year at CES, Avatar Kinect puts your avatar in over 15 virtual chat room environments where you can chat with up to 7 other people on Xbox LIVE.
Avatar Kinect uses the information from the Kinect Sensor and tracks your hand, arm, head movement and facial recognition and translates this to your avatar.
The extremely popular Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six first-person shooter series may soon return, according to a developer resume spotted on LinkedIn.
Recording engineer Sean Popejoy's LinkedIn profile, which has now been taken down, claims he "developed Pro Tools sessions from Ubisoft audio for the game demo of Rainbow Six (2011)."
The www.rainbowsix-bd.com domain name has also been filed by Ubisoft in late 2009 and amended in 2010.
The last entry in the 13-year-old series was Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 back in 2008, which won a 7/10 from Eurogamer.
For those of you wondering whether or not to purchase the new Black Ops "Escalation" Map Pack, our two exclusive high definition movies showcasing the intro and outro in-game movies from the new "Call of the Dead" Zombies Map Pack plus new gameplay footage from the four new multi-player maps might help you decide.
Set in a mysterious, ice-covered, remote Siberian island and inspired by legendary writer and director George A. Romero, a group of four fearless explorers fight for their lives amidst an army of bloodthirsty Soviet zombies.
The first clip is the in-game movie that you will see when you start "Call of the Dead" Zombie Mode.
This clip is the in-game movie that you will see when you exit "Call of the Dead" Zombie Mode.
The Escalation Content Pack is now available for download from Xbox LIVE only for Xbox 360.
PS3 owners don't exactly have an online option right now anyway, but the expected release date for the DLC on PSN should be around June 1-2, 2011 (1 month later).
This weekend we will be recording some more gameplay of the latest black ops map pack so if you're interested in getting involved please reply in our official forum thread linked below.. Hopefully this weekend we will have several HD recorders, capturing gameplay from all different angles. Read more about meeting up with us on black ops here
If you're looking for more info like screenshots, trailers, cheats, guides, forum discussions or more please be sure to browse the 360-HQ games database.
Treasure-developed XBLA game "Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury" is now available for download on Xbox LIVE. Missile Fury mixes arcade shooter action with puzzle-solving gameplay and is priced at 800 MSP.
Content:Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury Price: 800 Microsoft Points Availability:Check availability in your Xbox LIVE region Dash Text: Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury is an innovative and insanely addicting, omni-directional arcade shooter combined with puzzle elements that feature a screen-filling, sensory overload of thousands of missiles! Loaded with more than 100 levels, players will conquer challenging obstacles, collect power-ups, and annihilate swarms of enemies and missiles to clear a level! Key game highlights include: a Level Editor Tool, which allows players to design and share their own levels with friends; a unique design style evident in the insane gameplay, from the types of enemies to the award system of collecting delectable fruit; and a combo system that lets players build up devastating counter attacks of up to 1,000 missiles for an explosive advantage!an explosive advantage!
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The four-player "Strider for the 21st century" is now available for download from the Xbox LIVE Arcade for 1200 MSP. MOON DIVER weighs in at roughly 330MB and should be available in most Xbox LIVE regions.
Created by Strider Game Designer, Koichi Yotsui, Moon Diver features 12 stages with local and online drop-in/drop-out co-operative play for up to four players.
Content:MOON DIVER Price: 1200 Microsoft Points Availability:Check availability in your Xbox LIVE region Dash Text: The Earth lies in ruins. In the year 2081, five warriors suddenly appeared during an eclipse and began the fight to take back Earth. Introducing MOON DIVER, an easy-to-control side-scrolling action game for 1–4 players. Get ready for non-stop acrobatic action on the ground, walls, and even ceilings! Characters can level up, gain new abilities, and unleash devastating special attacks known as MoonSault Combinations!