Rumor has it that Skype, a voice and video chat provider, is in buy-out talks with both Facebook and Google, the two biggest potential players, and therefore the biggest potential victims of the losing side of a buy-out.
Let’s think through the repercussions. If Facebook acquires Skype, the company can instantly add voice and video chat to their service. While Facebook currently offers these services, they are buggy at best, and have a vested interest in keeping Internet users satisfied (fat and happy) on the site.
If Google acquires Skype, Facebook doesn’t get them. But more than that, Google can look to improve their existing video chat features, those that are currently implemented through Gmail, iGoogle and orkut.
UPDATE: Surprise! Microsoft purchased Skype for $8.5 billion. Didn’t see that one coming…