Skype's post-eBay roadmap

Fellow ZDNet blogger Russell Shaw has an in-depth interview with Saul Klein, Skype's vice president and chief marketing officer, about the new version of Skype, the company's ambitious plans, E-911, personalized Skype, QoS VoIP and PBX intergration and, of course, eBay parenthood. Here's how the marketing chief handled a question on the eBay deal:  

Well, one of the new 1.4 features that is particularly cool is that we have revamped Skype Me buttons that are available from the Share Skype Weblog. We see great opportunities- but not just with eBay sites and Web services to get Skype Me buttons, and for users to add (Skype members from eBay) to their contact list.

As to the eBay deal, it was very important to us and eBay that Skype remains a standalone business. Within weeks, we will be doing did a major product release in that regard - but one that will be along with other soon to come will be indicative that to Skype it is business as usual.

How added features will work in eBay properties will become more apparent over time. Really, though, all of this is about how eBay can help accelerate Skype's vision. eBay has a very large Web community, one which can (benefit from) adding very exciting Skype functionality such as getting the Skype Me presence (capability).

See also: Tom Evslin's informed take on eBay/Skype, "Will eBay be your phone company?"