Skype Journal: Rumor Mill on Yahoo & Skype
June 10, 2005 07:01 AMHow much value is there to rumors? 
Will Skype get sold to Yahoo? Who benefits? Skype probably benefits from rumors like this. Perhaps even Yahoo does. I wonder what the impact is on Yahoo shares today? (YHOO)
My perspective is it is way too early for Skype to move. The brand Yahoo adds nothing to Skype and potentially hampers long term Skype strategy. Yahoo sees the world from a Portal and desktop point of view. By contrast Skype is working toward the mobile market. Yes, potentially complementary. Would Yahoo leave Skype alone?
Perhaps the most interesting market for a business deal would be Japan. There Yahoo and Skype could find some consumer synergies around Yahoo's broadband offer. LiveDoor has also been successful. The real prize will be around the social networking aspects and real-time calling. I don't think Skype has the tech done yet to announce such a deal. Still, in the East they don't have the same hangups about ID's and aliases. Thus if there is to be a rumor... forget Yahoo! USA and look to where Skype has made interesting inroads. Asia is the place to look!
It might be too soon for Skype to be cashing out, and I am not sure if Yahoo can justify the big ticket valuation that would be slapped on Skype. There maybe a revenue share deal in the offering! That would make my recent post on Skype, more relevant. Om Malik
The rumor started here, went here, and is now here. I still see few benefits for Skype in this. Then I've missed the picture before.
TrackBack (3)
» Yahoo Buying Skype from Chris Abraham
Rumor has it that Yahoo has its eyes on buying my favorite online service (and a service to humanity), Skype.... [Read More]
Tracked on June 10, 2005 8:37 AM
» Skype and Yahoo in deal rumours from Connected Internet - Broadband, Mobile and Gaming News Blog
Rumours are floating around the internet about a potential Skype tie-up
with Yahoo! I doubt Yahoo are looking to acquire Skype as that
would require a ridiculous amount of cash/stock, ... [Read More]
Tracked on June 10, 2005 2:42 PM
» Reboot 7 opening session day 2 - Digi rights and VOIP from Conversations with Dina
Just attended Cory Doctorow's keynote address [Read More]
Tracked on June 11, 2005 2:38 AM
Comments (2)
I find it interesting that Yahoo has copied skype on their upcoming version of Messenger! Now they have PC to PC calling... Just like Skype! But the new version is buggy and doesn't even work for me! I like still prefer skype!
However, Y!Calling has a built in answering machine.. That is an add-on to Skype.
I still dont see Yahoo letting me "legally" call my friends that live in Tokyo!
Posted by: Brad Kovach at June 11, 2005 10:21 AM
too soon to be selling out?
months ago, actually weeks....you would have never entertained the thought of such a thing.
that was the initial plan. and the more that the regulators and the "powers that be" tighten the nooses, the more skype realized, "yah, this aint music piracy". We're out of our league.
I know this wont get posted...but thats cool, I know your reading it Andy, and your one sharp dude...I may have a proposition for you in a month or two. BIG MONEY involved...lots more than you'll ever get offering ad space at skypejournal.
craig
Posted by: craig at June 11, 2005 2:16 PM