(Telecompaper) Microsoft has acquired software development platform GitHub for USD 7.5 billion in stock. The platform has over 28 million developers using it. Microsoft VP and Xamarin founder Nat Friedman will become GitHub's CEO, replacing current chief Chris Wanstrath, who will become a Microsoft technical fellow, reporting to EVP Scott Guthrie, to work on strategic software initiatives. To help with the purchase, Apple will probably soon launch a new and larger than normal share buyback programme. It will also use part of the remaining USD 30 billion of its current share buyback programme.