I read with interest today that Google may be interested in buying Skype - this certainly sounds a much better fit than when Ebay bought them (what was THAT about ?!).

Fundamentally offering VOIP applications which have a programmable API will open up many interesting applications.

One example I've been mulling over for a while is this... Google could extend Adwords/Analytics conversion tracking to cover phone numbers. Now my company has been offering trackable phone numbers for clients to differentiate between organic/PPC phone calls for a while but Google, with integrated SKYPE/VOIP technology, could go a step further...

Google could offer a unique phone number PER VISITOR and, therefore, a method to track what keywords are converting phone calls. This shines light over a missing link in conversion tracking for businesses who's customers still want to discover by web but contact by phone. Combine with this a web based CRM which can monitor previous phone calls and then assign them to the correct sales channel and you're in a much better situation to see what marketing initives are working.

Phone is definately going to become a programmable service which is another tool in the armoury of web/app development.