Another Dot Com

I just read that Microsoft has given Yahoo a 3 weed deadline on the merger. If merger terms are not met by Yahoo by the deadline, Microsoft will begin a proxy fight.

Say good-bye to Yahoo. (I guess I should be happy… for I’m a M$FT shareholder)

If you are interested in office applications, try Zoho. They offer an online office solutions - some for free, some for fee.

I tried some of Zoho’s office apps…and, it’s not MS office, but it works.

Let me know what you think.

Earlier this month, Photobucket ran into a little problem with MySpace. MySpace locked out users from publishing to Photobucket from their site. Photobucket worked out a deal with MySpace to get the publishing feature turned on again…but, I’m wondering if MySpace used that as a strategy or way to value Photobucket/uers? The rumor is MySpace may acquire Photobucket for $200 million to $400 million range. Whatever the price is, soon we’ll be seeing ‘Photobucket by Myspace’.

Yahoo purchased Right Media, online market place for ads, for $680 million. Good move for Yahoo? I think when Google purchased Doubleclick, Yahoo had to show the market something. And something was to buy Right Media…btw, Yahoo stock price fell again (-1.07%). I think Yahoo should focus on improving their existing AD network and service rather than buy something that would take them many months to fold into Yahoo. Just my opinion.

According to Venturebeat.com, Google has agreed to purchase DoubleClick for $3.1 billion (all cash deal). This move for Google will enhance Google’s banner and other display ad positions. To date, Google dominates the text ads, but has been week on banner ads. Purchase of DoubleClick will put Google on competitive level with Yahoo on non-text ads. Banner and rich media ads on Google? I hope not.

The next Mac OS may offer multi-sized icon interface (resizing icon based on your choosing)…and, guess where I’ve seen this before???? When I worked for a Eazel headed by Mike Boich and Andy Herzfeld back in 2000, we worked on the very same thing for Gnome desktop. In addition to multi-sizing, we also allowed users to tag icons with varius tag images so that you can easily identy them.

Slacker is a music player/services that utilizes satellite to deliver music (I think they should just call it satellite radio). I’ve read that Slacker may be the iPod killer. I doubt it. If anything, Slacker will compete with XM/Sirius and possibly other mp3 devices. For many iPod users, iPod is more than a music player. Yes, it’s a photobook, video player, music, backup drive, and so on…Importantly, iPod, in a way, identifies them as cool, young, and stylish - iPod culture?!?

Google has acquired Adscape Media for $23million.  Adscape Media’s patented technology, AdverPlay™, allows advertisers and publishers, measurable in-game advertising opportunities. Simply put, Adscape products are integrated with Video Games….Then, real-time or scheduled ads can be delivered to user through Adscape AdverPlay and Real World/Virtual World Gateway (enables two-way text, audio and video communication via SMS Text or eMail).

Google, with their bankroll, can now make deals with Gaming companies to serve their ads on video games. I’m sure a revenue split/share model will be used. Another ad revenue channel..good move, Google!

I read on Cnet that Microsoft may be acquiring Tellme by end of the week. What a cool deal. I really like this move by Microsoft….Tellme is already profitable and they are one of the leading voice recognition service company. Mass consumer adoption/use of voice recognition is still several years off, but it’s coming — home management, home entertainment systems, phones, computers, everyday life, it’s coming. Tellme acquisition really helps to move the needle on Microsoft’s voice recognition product/service strategy. Now..It’s your move Google.