Live data from Hacker News

$38, the value of a user to a social network

vallettaventures.com

1–10 of 11 posts

Re: $38, the value of a user to a social network

#4
post #3

The Skype still doesn't make sense. You can't advertise on Skype, their only revenue stream is Skype to landline call, and here they are victims of their own success as few people make such calls.

I think the skype purchase was more about Microsoft buying themselves into to the mobile phone market.

Re: $38, the value of a user to a social network

#9
post #3

The Skype still doesn't make sense. You can't advertise on Skype, their only revenue stream is Skype to landline call, and here they are victims of their own success as few people make such calls.

With the most recent update from Verizon, Skype is installed on my phone as an 'Android System Application'. As a normal user, it can't be uninstalled. This sort of placement seems advantageous, and certainly provides MS with a good phone foothold on Android and iOS. On the other hand, users hate apps that can't be uninstalled, but aren't quite part of the system software either (code_duck glances at Blockbuster or VZ Navigator).

Also, to clarify their services, accepting landline to Skype requires a subscription. I wouldn't call it landline though, since it's actually a connection to the normal phone network which includes cell phones. You can also pay Skype to send SMS messages and provide voicemail.

Re: $38, the value of a user to a social network

#10
post #3

The Skype still doesn't make sense. You can't advertise on Skype, their only revenue stream is Skype to landline call, and here they are victims of their own success as few people make such calls.

Also, Google Hangouts ... and there will soon be viable competition from HTML5 web apps (Hangouts presently use a plugin).

http://www.slashgear.com/google-webrtc-browser-voicevideo-ch...

Post reply on HN