Neowin.net - Microsoft to Buy Yahoo Search and Then Facebook

Microsoft to Buy Yahoo Search and Then Facebook

Posted by Tom Warren on 19 May 2008 - 11:15 · 38 comments & 12346 views

Rumours from silicon valley this week point towards Microsoft purchasing Yahoo Search and then using $20 billion to get hold of Facebook.

Microsoft picking up the Yahoo search business. Word is that this deal will be done this week. While this is not surprising, it does bring to question the motives and plans of Microsoft.

Techmeme is buzzing about the latest Microsoft Yahoo talks that has Microsoft buying the Yahoo Search business only. Here is Microsoft’s and Yahoo official statements.

Why would such a complicated transaction (just Yahoo search with all the headaches and all) be in the cards for Microsoft? After the failed bid for $40 plus billion for all of Yahoo, Microsoft’s intentions are clear. Buy the search business from Yahoo and take that team and go spend at least 20 billion for Facebook. Integrating the search team at Yahoo with Facebook puts a formidable army to take on Google.

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#1 Posted by +kraized on 19 May 2008 - 11:20: God. I hope MS doesn't get hold of either FB or Yahoo! I thought FB was working with Google anyway about integrating Search.

#2 Posted by Ivand on 19 May 2008 - 11:39: please no FB

#3 Posted by sibot on 19 May 2008 - 11:39: GO MS! FTW!

(2 replies) #4 Posted by LipSmacker on 19 May 2008 - 11:59: I hear Microsoft is going to buy K-Mart next, then Goodyear, and finally the White House.

(1 reply) #5 Posted by jwjw1 on 19 May 2008 - 12:20: I heard MS is tying to buy the rights to replace the American Flag on the moon..with a 'Corporate Microsoft' one....

#6 Posted by BigBoy on 19 May 2008 - 12:45: Let's see how long it takes Google to issue a statement that this is not fair, kills the competition or is anti-trust!!

(3 replies) #7 Posted by Faisal Islam on 19 May 2008 - 12:45: Great News!!

If microsoft buys facebook we will get many new features like

1. Facebook's new name "Windows Live Facebook"
2. New & Speedy GUI (like Windows Live Mail)
3. Windows Live Messenger (with Facebook Chat)
4. All-on-one ID features (i mean if you have only one Windows Live ID, u will able to get all web related features caz MS already have all except Social Networking service)

So go on Microsoft.

#8 Posted by +Antaris on 19 May 2008 - 12:55: In soviet russia, Microsoft buys yooooooo

(1 reply) #9 Posted by Faisal Islam on 19 May 2008 - 13:00: Great News!!

If microsoft buys Yahoo we will get many new features like

1. Yahoo's new name "Windows Live Yahoo!"
2. Microsoft will migret all yahoo's features to 'Windows Live' so Windows Live will get new life.
3. Windows Live Messenger (with Full featured Yahoo Chat)
4. All-on-one ID features (i mean if you have only one Windows Live ID, u will able to get all web related features which Yahoo has)
5. No more buggy & always beta Yahoo Messenger
6. Don't have to visit different search engine site
7. No more spam (Yahoo Mail free can't stop all spams)

So go on Microsoft.

#10 Posted by chisss on 19 May 2008 - 13:26: I just don't believe this. I really doubt MS is going after JUST the Yahoo Search portion. I doubt Yahoo shareholders are willing to accept that since that's pretty much what brings cash to Yahoo.

and I don't think they are going to buy FB either.

#11 Posted by OceanMotion on 19 May 2008 - 13:54: No chance. Yahoo search is worthless. Facebook, I dunno if Microsoft want to throw away cash, it's not the worst, has many users so could open them up to other Microsoft services like Live Search.

#12 Posted by X'tyfe on 19 May 2008 - 14:10: lol, this would never happen
probably breaking some anti-trust law just thinking about it

(2 replies) #13 Posted by Magallanes on 19 May 2008 - 14:15: Bill gates will "buy" Yahoo.

#14 Posted by cardg on 19 May 2008 - 15:26: So, our yahoomails will keep safe from M$' gollum eyes?

(1 reply) #15 Posted by tareqsiraj on 19 May 2008 - 16:18: so... if microsoft buys facebook, will they rewrite the whole thing with asp.net and windows server? or they will invest in developing something in php/apache? and the plot thickens...

#16 Posted by Faisal Islam on 19 May 2008 - 17:19: Next Facebook Logo

#17 Posted by Faisal Islam on 19 May 2008 - 17:21: Next Yahoo Logo

#18 Posted by HalcyonX12 on 19 May 2008 - 17:23: What a ham fisted approach towards their goals. I can't believe they need to spend this much right now instead of working on their own services and products. How do they plan on getting all of their money back while spending it on converting all of Yahoo's stuff to Windows/IIS? And if this doesn't pan out the way they want it to, what are they going to do? Of course, even if it does, then what? Are they going to pursue Yahoo's original directions or still go after their own goals, and won't that make them end up where they were before?

(2 replies) #19 Posted by Faisal Islam on 19 May 2008 - 17:28: It's not impossible

#20 Posted by MulletRobZ on 19 May 2008 - 22:26: I don't think that's going to work at all, the idea of just purchasing the search engine. After all, if I'm not mistaken, that's where most of Yahoo's revenues come from. If not, please prove it.

As for Facebook, I could not imagine this at all. After all, Microsoft's coders would probably end up messing up Facebook's layout, cluttering it up, and turning it into simply another MySpace.

#21 Posted by Shiranui on 20 May 2008 - 01:32: Good. If MicroSoft buy Facebook the first thing they should do is kick off all users under the age of 18, or even 21.
Next, get rid of that Stripper name and Vampire ****. Then, and only then, might I feel like logging on again.

#22 Posted by Scutley on 20 May 2008 - 03:22: Wow I see a bunch of Microsoft haters on here but it looks like Microsoft has given up fueding with Apple (maybe Apple should do the same) which I think is a good move.

It the end it will be Microsoft vs. Google.

#23 Posted by I am Not PCyr on 20 May 2008 - 08:39: this just makes Vista suck even more

(1 reply) #24 Posted by j2006 on 20 May 2008 - 15:53: If you guys didn't know... but Facebook already has advertising and various deals with Microsoft...
http://www.facebook.com/press/releases.php?p=8084

So I don't see what the big deal is.. I actually wouldn't mind MS buying FB.

I'm tired of all the MS haters posting stupid and pointless comments in here.

#25 Posted by I am Not PCyr on 21 May 2008 - 05:44: reading this news article prompted me to go and delete my facebook account

i was able to do it on my "obsolete OS" too

Hell yeah im a Proud Microsoft hater and why ? because i would like to see them improve their products..
and if i sit in silence then nothing will ever change, fair enough though maybe this isnt the place for MS bashing
but freedom of speech should be respected (as long as people are beeing reasonable)

Id rather be a MS hater than spamming TROLL spotter lol
we dont need USELESS judgemental comments branding other peoples comments as Trolling
as the guy above me has been doing for ages..

you can't bully people into thinking what your want ..get over it & get used to it

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