Microsoft gets antitrust okay for Skype purchase, readies shockingly large wire transfer

Look out, world -- Microsoft just crossed another hurdle in its bid to swallow Skype whole. Earlier today, US antitrust approval was given on Microsoft's largest (proposed) acquisition, clearing the path for all sorts of Windows / Xbox / Zune-related VoIP shenanigans. While many are still questioning the logic here, Skype continually brought around 145 million users to the table per month even while it constantly bled money. Whatever the case, it looks as if the accountants in Redmond just got FTC permission to move $8.5b from one column to the next, and with an initial investment like that, we're hoping for a number of updated features as the attack plan unfolds.