MANILA, Philipines -- Microsoft's announcement of its plan to acquire Skype for $8.5 billion has been greeted with more than the software giant's fair share of derision. Not that the software company has been lacking in haters before, but its decision to plunk down such a huge bundle for a VoIP company, one that barely makes a profit, has been generally described as bordering idiotic.

If it's not already there.

Some observers claim that Microsoft's desire to spite Google and Apple has clouded its judgment. And, therefore, the company was willing to pay a lot of money in order to claim victory over its biggest rivals.

A significant number of analysts, however, are saying that Microsoft has made the right decision, that in this particular acquisition deal, the software company also comes out a winner — as much as (if not more than) Skype's current owners, a bunch of ultra-lucky investors.

Still, only time will tell if Microsoft has indeed made a wise decision or has kissed billions of dollars goodbye.

WIDE-Screen TV

Samsung recently announced the D9500, a 3D-capable TV that comes with 75 inches of screen real estate. Unlike those teensy weensy 3D displays, however, the D9500 requires the use of active shutter 3D glasses.

According to the Korean consumer electronics giant, this gargantuan TV's screen can provide a high quality of image display, even without the 3D glasses. Its 1080p resolution makes sure that viewers get to enjoy high-definition video entertainment.

A refresh rate of 240Hz makes this TV looks great even when not in 3D status.

Aside from its huge vital statistics, the D9500 has other things that make it desirable, especially for geeks. This TV comes with various smarts, including built-in WiFi, and a flip remote that comes with a full QWERTY touchscreen keyboard.

Microsoft Hearts Nokia, Again

Several market research firms have released studies predicting the Microsoft-Nokia partnership to have a leading role in the smartphone market in the next couple of years or so.

Heard somewhere that Pyramid Research, for example, believes that the Windows Phone platform will grab market leadership within the next two years.

For its part, IDC also predicted in March that Microsoft's mobile platform will outrun both BlackBerry and Apple's iOS to grab the second-highest rank by 2015.