DISQUS

David Deangelo · 1 year ago

This will be a defining moment in the history of the web. Remember when Hotmail was bought by Microsoft? Oh, that's right... not really that big of a change.

This however will be different. This will increase Microsoft's influence on the web, for it's products and brand.

AndyBeard · 1 year ago

David I don't know how this compares to Hotmail, as all the major players are fairly diversified now, though with different shares in each sector.

I can appreciate that some kind of change in the balance of power would be beneficial, but it is hard to quantify.

More than anything I just have things buzzing around in my head that after 10 days still haven't been answered by the experts providing the coverage and speculation.

David Deangelo · 1 year ago

This will be a defining moment in the history of the web. Remember when Hotmail was bought by Microsoft? Oh, that's right... not really that big of a change.

This however will be different. This will increase Microsoft's influence on the web, for it's products and brand.

AndyBeard · 1 year ago

David I don't know how this compares to Hotmail, as all the major players are fairly diversified now, though with different shares in each sector.

I can appreciate that some kind of change in the balance of power would be beneficial, but it is hard to quantify.

More than anything I just have things buzzing around in my head that after 10 days still haven't been answered by the experts providing the coverage and speculation.

John Hunter · 1 year ago

I think Google would welcome a AOL-Yahoo merger. The thing that worries Google about Yahoo-Microsoft (I believe) is the huge cash position Microsoft has and the huge web traffic Yahoo has. That in combination with really smart people (both companies have that) and some serious long term thinking could be risky to Google. But really I think Google's main risk is nothing from outside but rather bad decisions and/or execution by Google. Huge amounts of money (like Microsoft has) however, make it possible for you to invest in 10 huge hopes to win against Google and even if they all fail you still have money to try number 11. Few others can afford that.

AndyBeard · 1 year ago

AOL based upon that public stance should have Google even more concerned.

John Hunter · 1 year ago

I think Google would welcome a AOL-Yahoo merger. The thing that worries Google about Yahoo-Microsoft (I believe) is the huge cash position Microsoft has and the huge web traffic Yahoo has. That in combination with really smart people (both companies have that) and some serious long term thinking could be risky to Google. But really I think Google's main risk is nothing from outside but rather bad decisions and/or execution by Google. Huge amounts of money (like Microsoft has) however, make it possible for you to invest in 10 huge hopes to win against Google and even if they all fail you still have money to try number 11. Few others can afford that.

AndyBeard · 1 year ago

AOL based upon that public stance should have Google even more concerned.

Damien Riley · 1 year ago

Well let's hope they buy them then because somebody has put the heat on Google. They are starting to rewrite the laws of nature.

Damien Riley · 1 year ago

Well let's hope they buy them then because somebody has put the heat on Google. They are starting to rewrite the laws of nature.

John Hunter · 1 year ago

I think Google is being smart in playing this game (trying to make intelligent arguments that support their interests) for what they can. I don't really buy the risk though. I wish Yahoo (and AOL for that matter) had done a better job so there were more strong very large internet players. As it is I figure Microsoft is making a very wise move. And while people like to criticism Microsoft (including me) they do pretty well. They couldn't make several billion dollars a quarter if no-one found any value in what they do. And they should be worried. I use Ubuntu, Open Office and MySQL (which are free excellent alternatives to Microsoft's biggest money makers). And I think many more will follow to those or similar products in the future.

John Hunter · 1 year ago

I think Google is being smart in playing this game (trying to make intelligent arguments that support their interests) for what they can. I don't really buy the risk though. I wish Yahoo (and AOL for that matter) had done a better job so there were more strong very large internet players. As it is I figure Microsoft is making a very wise move. And while people like to criticism Microsoft (including me) they do pretty well. They couldn't make several billion dollars a quarter if no-one found any value in what they do. And they should be worried. I use Ubuntu, Open Office and MySQL (which are free excellent alternatives to Microsoft's biggest money makers). And I think many more will follow to those or similar products in the future.

John · 1 year ago

It is funny, a Yahoo AOL deal would essentially create a monopoly situation in Email and Instant Messaging worse than a Yahoo Microsoft deal, so I am sure we can expect another post on the Google blog objecting to such a merger.

Actually I think a MS Yahoo deal would be worse overall in IM and Email. If you look at international numbers I don't think too many people really use AOL outside of the states. For instance, every single Chinese person I know has an MSN email/IM address and uses them. In fact most of them use the msn space feature (which should have been myspace or facebook if they'd only used it right!!).

John · 1 year ago

It is funny, a Yahoo AOL deal would essentially create a monopoly situation in Email and Instant Messaging worse than a Yahoo Microsoft deal, so I am sure we can expect another post on the Google blog objecting to such a merger.

Actually I think a MS Yahoo deal would be worse overall in IM and Email. If you look at international numbers I don't think too many people really use AOL outside of the states. For instance, every single Chinese person I know has an MSN email/IM address and uses them. In fact most of them use the msn space feature (which should have been myspace or facebook if they'd only used it right!!).

Curt Monash · 1 year ago

Andy, you're spot on re the cash part. As I pointed out in http://www.texttechnologies.com/2008/02/10/micr..., going all-cash for Microsoft is easy. The deal synergies are also broad. http://www.texttechnologies.com/2008/02/03/micr... was my most extensive write-up of those.

A big key here is enterprise/public-web integration. Microsoft has been very slow to cash in on that possibility, but there's still some time left for it to get in gear. (E.g., my posts on future-Twitter, but I'll refrain from dropping yet another link ...)

CAM

Curt Monash · 1 year ago

Andy, you're spot on re the cash part. As I pointed out in http://www.texttechnologies.com/2008/02/10/micr..., going all-cash for Microsoft is easy. The deal synergies are also broad. http://www.texttechnologies.com/2008/02/03/micr... was my most extensive write-up of those.

A big key here is enterprise/public-web integration. Microsoft has been very slow to cash in on that possibility, but there's still some time left for it to get in gear. (E.g., my posts on future-Twitter, but I'll refrain from dropping yet another link ...)

CAM

Matt Ridout · 1 year ago

I read in the Metro UK today that the next move from microsoft would be to go directly to the shareholders and offer the original bid if the next one is turned down.

Food for though

Alex S · 1 year ago

Hey Andy,

here is some fairly useful analysis on where to go from here from someone who is a shareholder in both co's. Worth a read. Best - Alex

http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/3/exclusive_in...

Matt Ridout · 1 year ago

I read in the Metro UK today that the next move from microsoft would be to go directly to the shareholders and offer the original bid if the next one is turned down.

Food for though

Alex S · 1 year ago

Hey Andy,

here is some fairly useful analysis on where to go from here from someone who is a shareholder in both co's. Worth a read. Best - Alex

http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/3/exclusive_in...