Microsoft eyes Yahoo! in proposed takeover

[AppleInsider]

Still smarting from the loss of online advertising firm DoubleClick to rival Google last month, Microsoft is now actively pursuing search giant Yahoo!, the New York Post is reporting.

The paper cited sources who say Microsoft, having already made an offer to acquire Yahoo! several months ago, is now urgently courting the web firm to re-enter formal negotiations.

Yahoo!, which is valued at around $50 billion, is reported to have aggressively rejected the Redmond, Wash.-based software giant's initial attempts to discuss a takeover.

For its part, Microsoft is said to be more determined than ever to strike a deal after Google last month snatched DoubleClick for $3.1 billion from under its nose.

"They're getting tired of being left at the altar," one banking source, who has recently had talks with Microsoft , told the Post. "They now seem more willing to extend themselves via a transaction to get into the game."

Moreover, the move by Microsoft is seen as a necessary offensive, given Google is developing Internet-based software that directly competes with Microsoft Office, among other things.

Based on current estimates, a deal between Microsoft and Yahoo! would up the combined companies' share of the all-important search advertising market to 27 percent against Google's 65 percent, said the Post. It would also narrow the gap in overall online ads with Google to just 13 percent.

More importantly, the deal would create "the dominant force on the Internet" in terms of eyeballs, which directly translate into advertising dollars. Microsoft's MSN currently caters to an older audience while Yahoo!'s entertainment coverage attracts a younger demographic.

"Aside from cost savings, a deal would also create opportunities to use Yahoo! content on Microsoft devices, such as making music exclusively provided to Yahoo! Music available on Microsoft's Xbox game console and Zune music player," said the Post.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[davebarnes]

Yahoo! Music! on my Zune!
I can't wait.

[SpamSandwich]

I'd be in favor of it... my YHOO has been in the dumps.

[HiddenWolf]

I don't get the relation to Apple, really

[JeffDM]

$50B is a far cry from $3B. That's getting exceedingly desperate.

[mrjoec123]

Originally Posted by HiddenWolf

I don't get the relation to Apple, really

For one thing, Yahoo just did that deal to put push email on the iPhone. Say goodbye to that, if Microsoft takes over.

Yahoo's chief Yahoo! also made reference to several other projects Apple and Yahoo were going to bring out over the next few years. So long to those, too.

This would be a bad thing for everyone, except Microsoft.

[domerdel]

Giving props to Gizmodo. I've been going to EngadgetHD.com and gizmodo.com lately for all my news since this site tends to be dull sometimes. have a good laugh with this one:

[caliminius]

Originally Posted by mrjoec123

For one thing, Yahoo just did that deal to put push email on the iPhone. Say goodbye to that, if Microsoft takes over.

Yahoo's chief Yahoo! also made reference to several other projects Apple and Yahoo were going to bring out over the next few years. So long to those, too.

This would be a bad thing for everyone, except Microsoft.

Personally, I don't see why Apple handed over the push email portion of the iPhone to Yahoo in the first place. The most reasonable place for it to come from would have been .Mac. I don't relish having my emails branded with Yahoo crap after I just plunked down $500 or $600 for a phone. It may sound odd but paying the extra $100 for a .Mac account is actually more appealing since beyond beyond ad free, it would also ensure a generally smooth syncing of email between the Mac and the iPhone.

[tomkarl]

Originally Posted by caliminius

Personally, I don't see why Apple handed over the push email portion of the iPhone to Yahoo in the first place. The most reasonable place for it to come from would have been .Mac. I don't relish having my emails branded with Yahoo crap after I just plunked down $500 or $600 for a phone. It may sound odd but paying the extra $100 for a .Mac account is actually more appealing since beyond beyond ad free, it would also ensure a generally smooth syncing of email between the Mac and the iPhone.

HUGE second to that statement! I would think it would increase .Mac users too.

[cinder]

This is horrible.

This is exactly what we/them/they DON'T need.
And this is exactly what Yahoo and MS could do to seal their own fates.

If anyone is going down - let MS be the ones to kill themselves without dragging other buy-out acquisitions down with them.


Not to mention - I don't want MS touching Flickr. Period.

[Johnny Mozzarella]

Originally Posted by HiddenWolf

I don't get the relation to Apple, really

Microhoo VS. Goopple

[HiddenWolf]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mozzarella

Microhoo VS. Goopple

Which is not Apple vs Microsoft vs Google.

Yahoo, Google and Apple are in the same boat, MS is in another, but I'd expect Yahoo to agressively resist, and MS shareholders to ask "why?"
50 billion is a huge chunk of change, and while MS can afford it, I have trouble seeing how this would be good for either company.

EDIT: And about the iphone, If this goes through, companies will be lining up to fill yahoo's shoes, Including Google.
gmail is a superior service, it is just not as big, which is the only argument yahoo mail has going for it.

[Johnny Mozzarella]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

I'd be in favor of it... my YHOO has been in the dumps.

This merger could be even more successful than AOL+Time Warner.
It boggles the mind!

[Johnny Mozzarella]

Originally Posted by caliminius

Personally, I don't see why Apple handed over the push email portion of the iPhone to Yahoo in the first place. The most reasonable place for it to come from would have been .Mac. I don't relish having my emails branded with Yahoo crap after I just plunked down $500 or $600 for a phone. It may sound odd but paying the extra $100 for a .Mac account is actually more appealing since beyond beyond ad free, it would also ensure a generally smooth syncing of email between the Mac and the iPhone.

Apple needs friends and didn't want to alienate Yahoo by getting in bed with Google.
Apple already has Google's CEO on their board.
If they announced the iPhone with only Google integration, Yahoo would probably stop worrying about Mac compatibility and focus on Windows users.

Apple also owns the iphone.org domain.
It would be cool if the purchase of an iPhone also came with a iphone.org email account.
212.555.1234@iphone.org

[Clive At Five]

Originally Posted by HiddenWolf

I don't get the relation to Apple, really

The iPhone uses Yahoo mail. That would suck if yahoo mail degraded to "worse-than-hotmail" status. It's headed in that direction. Yahoo needs to take a page out of Google's book and cut down on the invasive ads.

-Clive

[quinney]

Originally Posted by Clive At Five

The iPhone uses Yahoo mail. That would suck if yahoo mail degraded to "worse-than-hotmail" status. It's headed in that direction. Yahoo needs to take a page out of Google's book and cut down on the invasive ads.

-Clive

I have yahoo mail and they just informed me today that they are going to
start inserting advertisements in their mail service. yech!

[quinney]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

"They're getting tired of being left at the altar," one banking source, who has recently had talks with Microsoft , told the Post.

Originally Posted by domerdel

I am visualizing Ballmer in a wedding gown, hooting and dancing like
a chimpanzee. Help me please. It is too early to start drinking.

[chris v]

Originally Posted by cinder

Not to mention - I don't want MS touching Flickr. Period.

They won't be able to resist mangling it, I'm sure. This'll suck if it comes true.

[Slewis]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

"They're getting tired of being left at the altar," one banking source, who has recently had talks with Microsoft , told the Post. "They now seem more willing to extend themselves via a transaction to get into the game."

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

You mean like what they did to SpyGlass, Sun, and Novell before this eh?

Originally Posted by cinder

This is horrible.

This is exactly what we/them/they DON'T need.
And this is exactly what Yahoo and MS could do to seal their own fates.

If anyone is going down - let MS be the ones to kill themselves without dragging other buy-out acquisitions down with them.


Not to mention - I don't want MS touching Flickr. Period.

Damn it, I forgot Flickr was owned by Yahoo... and del.icio.us too....

Originally Posted by Johnny Mozzarella

Microhoo VS. Goopple

Sebastian

[Dr. X]

I hope deal doesn't go through.

[Feynman]

Originally Posted by mrjoec123

For one thing, Yahoo just did that deal to put push email on the iPhone. Say goodbye to that, if Microsoft takes over.

Yahoo's chief Yahoo! also made reference to several other projects Apple and Yahoo were going to bring out over the next few years. So long to those, too.

This would be a bad thing for everyone, except Microsoft.

I can promise you, Apple have different partners lined up if Yahoo dropped out of the race cough Google cough. It would suck to have to reprint all the marketing materials but as Johnny Mozzarella noted, I am sure they chose Yahoo! so as not to alienate them. Would they have rather chosen Google? My bets are yes

[smartz]

If im honest there are a number of key reasons why i would be happy to see Yahoo fall into MS's hands. Firstly tighter Google Apple integration is on the cards and seems to be on the road map of several products so MS feels protectionist in this approach, secondly whilst there are some standout good products from Yahoo on the whole they are pale copies or also rans that Google already offer, but third and most importantly the MS culture is one of decline, divide and conquer without innovation lead MS to where it is now. MS + Yahoo would be like square plugging a round hole and in short i think we would see a terribly weakened Yahoo offering with MS paying the bill which i imagine would be significant, if Google and Apple could offering a truely compelling integrated approach i think it could finally show MS to be what it is....an antiquated dinosaur...

[Clive At Five]

would there be any reason why one wouldn't be able to check their gmail through the iPhone's Safari?

-Clive

[digitalclips]

Originally Posted by HiddenWolf

I don't get the relation to Apple, really

Maybe make Google even cozier with Apple

[Bigfatdummy]

I hate the fact you have to pay for a mac account. I think if you own a mac it should be free and others should have to pay for the service. It's totally lame.

I would have to agree that a merger costing 50b sounds fiscally irresponsible for MS. Doesn't MS have a duty to make a profit for their shareholders? I have an idea for MS, how about you fix MSN and Hotmail before you head out and destroy Yahoo.

I bet if MS used that 50b to fix what it already has it could actually have something to be proud of. Just a thought, but what do I know I use a mac…

[max_naylor]

No! No! No! This can’t happen! Not never ever ever. Ever.

BIG FAT BOO @ MICROSOFT!!!!

I can just see where this would be headed. Microshite buys Yahoo!, all their services get integrated with the horrendously inoperable Microsoft services, MSFT stagnates (like it has been for the last few years).

Never!!!!!!!!

[bobmarksdale]

qoute:I have yahoo mail and they just informed me today that they are going to
start inserting advertisements in their mail service. yech!

Yahoo already uses ads in their mail. I hate receiving mail from anyone with yahoo because of all the annoying links sent like a sig. Gmail has ads, but they are nice and off to the side so they are unobtrusive. If M$ buys yahoo, i think gmail will soon become the dominant email force based on what has happened with msn, and also with peoples' general hatred of m$. That would be a good day.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by quinney

I have yahoo mail and they just informed me today that they are going to
start inserting advertisements in their mail service. yech!

What are they going to add that they haven't already added?

[Quisling]

Originally Posted by Bigfatdummy

I hate the fact you have to pay for a mac account. I think if you own a mac it should be free and others should have to pay for the service. It's totally lame.

I would have to agree that a merger costing 50b sounds fiscally irresponsible for MS. Doesn't MS have a duty to make a profit for their shareholders? I have an idea for MS, how about you fix MSN and Hotmail before you head out and destroy Yahoo.

I bet if MS used that 50b to fix what it already has it could actually have something to be proud of. Just a thought, but what do I know I use a mac…

If this deal were to happen it's not like MS is going to write a 50 billion check, it would be a stock transaction. MS doesn't have that much $ lying around. Also, MSN is losing $ Y! is making money, just not like it was.

[melgross]

I do NOT want to see this happen!

MS doesn't have to attempt to dominate everywhere. This will make them strong enough to take over the number one spot.

As the article says, this would give them the number one eyeball count, though I wonder what the overlap actually is.

If this does happen, we need an Apple-Google-Sun merger as fast as possible.

[MacCentric]

Originally Posted by Bigfatdummy

I hate the fact you have to pay for a mac account. I think if you own a mac it should be free and others should have to pay for the service. It's totally lame.

I would have to agree that a merger costing 50b sounds fiscally irresponsible for MS. Doesn't MS have a duty to make a profit for their shareholders? I have an idea for MS, how about you fix MSN and Hotmail before you head out and destroy Yahoo.

I bet if MS used that 50b to fix what it already has it could actually have something to be proud of. Just a thought, but what do I know I use a mac…

MS throwing money at things has never resulted in superiority. Apple's R&D budget has been much lower, however their products are awesome while MS turns out crap every day. It's an issue of the culture at both companies, Apple has the better culture. It's like when Jobs said that "MS has no taste."

[MacCentric]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mozzarella

Apple needs friends and didn't want to alienate Yahoo by getting in bed with Google.
Apple already has Google's CEO on their board.
If they announced the iPhone with only Google integration, Yahoo would probably stop worrying about Mac compatibility and focus on Windows users.

Apple also owns the iphone.org domain.
It would be cool if the purchase of an iPhone also came with a iphone.org email account.
212.555.1234@iphone.org

I wonder if it also had anything to do with the fact that GMail is STILL in beta. However, the beta version of GMail is light years ahead of the release offerings of Yahoo or MS.

[BlackSummerNight]

What the hell are you talkin about. What 'crap' are they putting out?

Originally Posted by MacCentric

MS throwing money at things has never resulted in superiority. Apple's R&D budget has been much lower, however their products are awesome while MS turns out crap every day. It's an issue of the culture at both companies, Apple has the better culture. It's like when Jobs said that "MS has no taste."

Back to topic. I hope this happens and the MS/Yahoo venture brings down google from their high horse.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by BlackSummerNight

What the hell are you talkin about. What 'crap' are they putting out?

You've got to be joking!

Back to topic. I hope this happens and the MS/Yahoo venture brings down google from their high horse.

You've got to be joking!

[BlackSummerNight]

Hell no!

Originally Posted by melgross

You've got to be joking!



You've got to be joking!

[Ronbo]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Yahoo!, which is valued at around $50 billion, is reported to have aggressively rejected the Redmond, Wash.-based software giant's initial attempts to discuss a takeover.

I like that phrase. Really lights the imagination. I sure hope it's true. I hope the guys at Yahoo are as appalled by this idea as I am.

[Chucker]

I really hope Yahoo! can maintain independence. They are struggling at the moment, but they have a lot of promising technologies (Pipes, YUI, etc.) and talented engineers.

And really, who could possibly see Microsoft not running a site like Flickr or del.icio.us into the ground, deliberately or not?

[icfireball]

Microsoft + Yahoo would NOT be good for Yahoo.

[EagerDragon]

Quick, someone deflate their tires.

[ibuzz]

Doesn't the FTC have to approve this. Where is big government when you need them. NO more MS.