May 10, 2011- Microsoft announced that it will acquire Skype from the Silver Lake investment group for $8.5B.  Founded in 2003, Skype was acquired by eBay in 2005.  eBay spun out Skype in 2009.  The Skype acquisition expands Microsoft’s market footprint in video, voice, and messaging.  Skype will reportedly support Microsoft Outlook and the Xbox and Kinect products.  Both Nokia and Google reportedly also explored potential offers for Skype.  Microsoft will also assume Skype’s $686M debt.