Tech and Amusing Stuff

Looks like the Microsoft purchase of Yahoo! is going to shake the industry no matter what happens. Now Yahoo! “is considering revisiting talks it held with Google several months ago on an alliance as an alternative to Microsoft’s bid.” Apparently Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt called Jerry Yang to “to offer his company’s help in any effort to thwart” Microsoft’s effort.

Via Reuters

Microsoft proposed to Yahoo’s board of directors a $31 per share (a 62% premium over yesterday’s closing price) or about $44.6 Billion for a merger. Steve Ballmer, CEO sent out a letter to Yahoo with the proposal yesterday, he says: “We have great respect for Yahoo!, and together we can offer an increasingly exciting set of solutions for consumers, publishers and advertisers while becoming better positioned to compete in the online services market.” The two companies have been dicsussing this matter since late 2006.

It also seems to be a response to Google’s threatening growth according to this part of the press release:

“Today, the market is increasingly dominated by one player who is consolidating its dominance through acquisition. Together, Microsoft and Yahoo! can offer a credible alternative for consumers, advertisers, and publishers.”

Official press release