Microsoft Trolling for New Acquisitions

NewShinyCD writes "Sources tell Valleywag that startup Ustream.tv is in advanced discussions with Microsoft to acquire the lifecasting service for more than $50 million, but there are other companies in the bidding as well. Ustream is currently raising a very large initial round of VC financing, and Microsoft is attempting to grab them prefunding for a cheap price. Our tipster also mentions that Microsoft would use Ustream as a way to promote its Adobe Flash competitor, Silverlight." Relatedly, Microsoft has also announced their intent to buy Sidekick maker Danger. Financial details of the Danger buyout were not disclosed.

Comments

Re:Speaking of Silverlight...

[IGnatius T Foobar]

Do you think MS will make a Siverlight for Linux? Most likely it will have to be done by Mono project and no doubt it will not be 100%

Well known Microsoft supporter Miguel de Icaza is already several steps ahead of you. The Moonlight project is exactly that. And no, I will not install it.

Re:Wow, that's quite a title.

[trolltalk.com]

Also, IIRC, they had something like $60billion in cash on hand last time I paid attention;

You haven't been paying attention in quite a while - they have less than $22B. in cash, and even with offering only half-chas and half-stock,they've said they would probably borrow to finance the deal.

Re:Wow, that's quite a title.

[recoiledsnake]

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Google_acquisitions http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companies_acquired_by_Microsoft_Corporation#2007