Microsoft near $8.5 bln deal for Skype

Microsoft Corp is close to buying Web video conferencing service Skype Technologies for $8.5 billion including debt, a source familiar with the situation said, underscoring the technology giant's growing ambition to plug

YouTube adds Hollywood movies for rental

YouTube is adding more than 3,000 mainstream movies for users to rent starting on Monday, along with the millions of free user-created videos the popular website is best known for.   Google

Google to launch online music service

Google Inc could launch a new online music service as early as Tuesday, which will be similar to a service recently started by Amazon.com Inc, The Wall Street Journal said, citing people

Ratings agencies hammer Greece in EU chaos

Credit ratings agencies hammered Greece on Monday after senior euro zone policymakers acknowledged that Athens will need a second bailout package soon to avert a disorderly overhaul of its debt obligations. Officials