Microsoft/Yahoo Merger to Take on Google?

Mz6 writes "One faction within Microsoft is promoting a bold strategy in the company's battle with Google: Join forces with Yahoo. That would be a major departure for Microsoft, the software maker that is legendary for toiling on its own until it captures a new market. However, people familiar with the situation say that Microsoft has considered the idea of acquiring a stake in Yahoo, and that the two companies have discussed possible options over the course of the past year. Currently, talks of an equity stake in Yahoo don't appear to be active, given that Microsoft is focusing on a reorganization that it hopes will re-energize its effort to compete with Google. Two wild cards remain: Steve Ballmer, who has historically shunned large acquisitions, and Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang, whose support would be key to bringing the necessary Yahoo shareholders on board for a deal. Mr. Yang and others in Yahoo would be hard-pressed to sell to Microsoft, people close to the company say. However, people familiar with Microsoft say its top management remains open to a deal with Yahoo as pressure grows to perform better against Google. The increasing pressure on Microsoft -- not just from Google, but also from its own shareholders, as well as from advertisers that want an alternative to Google -- could help to justify the acquisition or some kind of business collaboration, these people say."

Comments

One of my favorite qoutes

[plopez]

I think from Woody Allen (cue lame off topic Woody Allen jokes):
"The lamb may lay down with the lion, but the lamb won't get much sleep at nights".

Considering MSs history of screwing its partners, Yahoo would be insane to 'partner' with MS.

What planet is the summary from?

[MarkusQ]

That would be a major departure for Microsoft, the software maker that is legendary for toiling on its own until it captures a new market.

Huh? This is just plain not true.

1. Microsoft frequently "partners" with others (e.g. MSNBC). What they are famous for isn't refusing to partner, but rather turning on their partners and destroying them the moment it becomes to their advantage to do so.
2. What new Markets has Microsoft captured exactly? IIRC, most of their attempts to go beyond their core competence have been costly failures.

--MarkusQ

Re:Google = Dead Engine Walking

[strider44]

So what? Google's more than just a search engine - it's a huge advertising firm that just happens to create some neat software. A company as big as Google doesn't just die. Besides, I think that you're full of crap, not just because there'd be a huge antitrust spat if IE had a non-changable lock to msn search, but also because you don't MSN Search something, you Google it. That's not going to change anytime soon.

Re:Isn't Yahoo! associated with Google ?

[sbrown123]

Ignore the bullcrap you are hearing. Apparently there are a bunch of analysts out there who are pissed off that Google didn't acquire company X when they said they would. So, to keep their "insider" title they are releasing more steaming piles of wild guesses such as "eBay will join Microsoft" or "Amazon set to deal with Microsoft". One common line I am seeing is that they keep pointing to Microsoft to merge with someone else to do something about Google. The only thing I can guess is that these "insiders" probably have some Microsoft stock and are hating the recent decline due to Vista delays and advertisers flocking to Google. Screw em and don't pay these people mind.