Filed under: Fun, Internet, Web services, Google, Microsoft, Yahoo!
Google doesn't like Microsoft's bid for Yahoo
Google's David Drummond adds his two cents on the Microsoft proposal to acquire Yahoo, and well, let's say he's not too pleased about the situation. He raises the issue that the Internet was founded on "openness and innovation" and worries that this "hostile" maneuver by Microsoft may be an attempt to close the Internet in a way similar to how Microsoft has exerted its influence in the PC market in the past.In particular, he points out that Microsoft and Yahoo combined have a large share of the web-based email and IM market, and that if the deal goes through Microsoft may try to limit users from using competitor's services. Which granted, may be something that Google would have had to worry about back in, say, 1998, but does it really have to now?
Interestingly enough, Microsoft feels the same way - stating that Google already gets most of the world's paid search revenues and therefore thinks that in order to create an upset, combining forces with Yahoo is the only way to increase competition on the online marketplace.
It may be that this is payback for all the fuss Microsoft made about Google's acquisition of DoubleClick, or just a nice way for Google to align itself with all that is open, good, and innovative, while framing Microsoft as a dark force that will cast a shadow over the world with its monopolistic claws. But, like the folks over at Silicon Alley Insider said, the chances that Microsoft will establish a monopoly online or anywhere else is highly unlikely (Apple, Linux, um, Google?).
Ultimately, for the end user, this is going to be a good game to watch as the industry big shots continue to step on each other's toes. Worst case scenario, we get some more applications and services as a result of these companies wrestling for market share.
[via Silicon Alley Insider]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike said 10:40AM on 2-04-2008
That's not worst case, not by a long shot.
Worst case scenario, Microsoft acquires Yahoo!, and everything Yahoo! has ever created or bought goes stale or is overwhelmed with the terrible stuff that's currently causing Microsoft to fail at the internet.
Would you use a Microsoft-owned Flickr? I wouldn't.
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Romeo Wahed said 1:57PM on 2-04-2008
Well, while it's debatable as to whether people would use a Microsoft-owned Flickr or not, you can be fairly certain that if Microsoft's ownership would cause Flickr to "change" in a way that causes users to discontinue use of the service, there will be other competitors to quickly fill the void and capitalize on Flickr users migrating to alternatives.
Probably, in a way that non-Windows alternatives have really gotten a foothold, almost doubling market share in the last two years, which likely has a lot to do with the alternatives being preferable to the Windows offering.
Tech savvy users and those that know them won't have anything to fear - even if Microsoft totally makes a mess of what we know as Yahoo, there will always be competitors to offer an alternative.
michael said 6:09PM on 2-04-2008
I would love to see a Microsoft-owned Flickr.
Flickr is too awesome of a site to have to rebrand and make it look too consistent with the rest of WinLive/MSN.
I'm hoping that Microsoft will lower the ridiculous pro account fee, put some PhotoSynth touch, PhotoZoom effects, HD Photo among other technologies, and who knows what else.
And MS isn't failing the internet. They've been doing well lately in the online division, but they just want to boost their value.
harmx said 2:39PM on 2-04-2008
Lol, nobody likes to see their market share potentially eroded!
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