eBay Updates: Internal Reorganization, Google Checkout, PC-Free Wi-Fi Skype

A number of key developments to note for eBay (EBAY) watchers:

Internal Reorganization at eBay

AuctionBytes reports that what initially looked like a high-level lateral executive transfer is part of a wider internal reorganization that will see the creation of several cross-functional teams. The reorganization of eBay Marketplaces also includes the creation of a new Auctions Group that will be headed by Philipp Justus, currently Senior Vice President and General Manager of eBay Europe. According to eBay, the reorganization is aimed at making eBay a flatter organization with faster decision-making.

The Check-out Battle Is Raging

Google (GOOG) is fighting hard to penetrate the online payment market dominated by PayPal. Google today announced an extension of free processing on all Google Checkout transactions through all of 2007. Providing this service for free in an attempt to build the business and attract more users to adwords is fierce competition for eBay.

PC-Free Wi-Fi Skype Phones in Demand

According to Brian Nickell, product manager at SMC Networks, sales of new Wi-Fi mobile handsets that use Skype software and do not require a PC to make calls are gaining momentum ahead of the holidays. Available for purchase directly from Skype, the SMC phone is currently available in North America, Europe and Asia, and that the company will release more local language models soon. The Chinese-language version of the handset became available Tuesday in Taiwan.