There have been low-level rumors hinting at a possible Google-Skype collaboration; or a downright acquisition of eBay-owned Skype by Google, and the two being in negotiations to finalize a deal to this effect.

Gossip or not, if the partnership/acquisition does take place sometime soon in the future, it could do wonders for the world of mobile telephony (Android ahoy!), or at least help Google gravitate towards the epicenter of the Internet.

A mark of Google and eBay's interoperability began in August 2006 when the companies signed an agreement to work together on text-based advertising and "click-to-call" advertising wherein Google Talk and Skype would power voice calls between customers and merchants.

Even before that, another occasion that scores Google and eBay compatibility points is their collaboration on events like investing $21.7 million in Fon, a Spanish company that promoted the spread of its Wi-Fi "foneros" in February 2006.

The "if you can't beat them, join them" strategy works well in this case for Google. It became instant competition for the then-independent Skype when its Internet telephony service was launched in 2005. However, eBay-acquired Skype has stayed put as the favorite means of VoIP communication for the masses, and joining hands with a fruit-laden organization will only reap Google fruitful returns.

That said, the event of the two companies merging remains a rumor. Although it certainly goes on as one on our wishlist.