It seems Skype has started feeling pressure from quickly growing group chat apps specially built for mobile space. You might question why Skype need to spend so much for a new app when they already have one. Yes, Skype does have their mobile app and it supports voice and video chat also but its no longer enough to satisfy users expectations.

The ‘chat’ mode of communication is changing. Now, applications are offering you to connect with other users to recall them in future easily, share photos, videos, locations directly through app. You can host a group chat and make plans with instant collaboration. GroupMe, a year old group messaging mobile application offers most of these features. Skype just have to tweak it a bit to feature voice and video chat and they are ready with a cutting edge mobile messenger.

Threat from other competitors like Google’s acquisition of Slide, Facebook’s recent release of Group chat and Apple’s iMessage was growing and Skype really needed to cover increasing number of mobile users.

Although terms of the deal are not exposed, approximate estimates are $85 million. Microsoft is still in the process to complete Skype acquisition but Skype didn’t want to miss this opportunity. Let us know what do you think about the impact of this deal on Skype.