• Confirmed: eBay Sells Skype for $2.75 Billion (TechCrunch)
  

New York Times has confirmed the rumors that have been circulating since last week. Skype has been acquired from eBay by an investor group led by Silver Lake Partners, along with VC Firms Andreesen Horowitz, Index Ventures and the CPP Investment Board. The new investors will buy approximately 65% of Skype, with eBay continuing to own 35%.

• Half of Social Media Users Connect With Brands Online (Mashable)

According to an eMarketer report published Monday, over half of social media users connect with brands by becoming a fan or following them on social networking sites.

• ComScore: Number of Online Search Inquiries SkyRocketing (Online Media Daily)

According to a study released by Comscore, search inquiries are continuing to grow at an impressive rate. More than 113 billion searches were conducted in July worldwide, representing a 41% increase year-over-year.

• Coupa Raises $7.5 Million, Helps Companies Spend Smarter (Techcrunch)

Coupa’s subscription-based software suite, which allows companies to keep tabs on purchases, suppliers, existing contracts etc., has secured $7.5 Million in funding from El Dorado Ventures.

Emerging Technology

• IBM Patents Tweeting Remote Control (Slashdot)

IBM has applied for a patent for a network-enabled remote control that will automatically tweet and update your Facebook status depending on your television viewing habits.

Pop

• The Internet’s Oldest Registered Domain Name Changes Hands (Slashdot)

The Symbolics Company was the first to use an internet domain name back in March, 1985, using it to drive awareness of the company’s Lisp machines. Nearly twenty five years later, XF.com has acqired the domain name for an undisclosed sum.

• How Many Solar Panels Would it Take to Power the Entire World? (Gizmodo)

An area roughly the size of Spain.