REDMOND, Wa. – Microsoft has agreed to acquire Skype for $8.5 billion and will integrate Skype’s technology with Xbox game consoles and Kinect motion-sensing devices, as well as Windows Phone platforms.

“Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the world,” Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said in a statement reported by CNET News.Com. “Together we will create the future of real-time communications so people can easily stay connected to family, friends, clients and colleagues anywhere in the world.”

Microsoft says it will “connect Skype users with Lync, Outlook, Xbox Live, and other communities.” Perhaps most importantly to Skype users, Microsoft said that it will continue to support “non-Microsoft platforms” with the communication service.

Though Microsoft didn’t offer any further details, it’s clear that the company has its sights set on Apple. The Cupertino, Calif.-based firm currently offers its FaceTime video chatting feature on its iOS-based devices, as well as Macs, delivering multiplatform communication over the Web. Microsoft could potentially best Apple’s offering by supporting Skype on a much wider array of operating systems.

Skype is no stranger to major acquisitions. The Luxembourg-based VoIP company, which was founded in 2003, was acquired by eBay in 2005 for $2.6 billion. Eventually, the online auction site admitted to investors that it had overpaid for the Internet telephony provider. eBay finally spun off Skype in 2009 for approximately $2 billion to a group of investors, led by Silver Lake. eBay retained a smaller stake in Skype.

As an independent company, Skype performed quite well. Over the last 18 months, Skype claims, it saw its “monthly calling minutes” increase by 150 percent. Along the way, the company also saw its revenue and profit figures grow, turning a $13.2 million profit through the first six months of 2010. In all of 2009, it lost $99 million.

Following those successes, Skype announced last August that it was filing for an initial public offering.

Last week, Reuters reported that both Facebook and Google were looking to acquire, or at least partner, with Skype. However, in just a few short days, it became clear that those companies were out and Microsoft was in. Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Microsoft was nearing a deal with Skype that would be valued between $7 billion and $8 billion.

By paying $8.5 billion for Skype, Microsoft has struck its biggest acquisition bid ever. The previous top bid, Microsoft’s 2007 acquisition of online advertising firm aQuantive, was valued at $6 billion.

Microsoft hopes to close the deal at some point during this year. Skype CEO Tony Bates will be president of the Microsoft Skype Division.

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