Articles from Latest MicroSoft News

Steve Ballmer and the Microsoftdom of Yahoo
2008-05-18 22:31:00
News Analysis. Grab the popcorn. Like the fourth Indiana Jones movie, the Microhoo drama has another sequel. This afternoon, Microsoft issued a statement indicating that a new—and perhaps even different—Yahoo deal is in the works. The statement comes three days after billionaire business buster Carl Icahn launched a proxy fight to oust Yahoo's board of directors. As I said on Friday, Carl's coup could cripple Yahoo, creating market share and customer grabbing opportunities for Google. Microsoft can't let the proxy fight destroy Yahoo to the benefit of Google. I'm not surprised that Microsoft is once again talking some kind of deal. A hostile Yahoo takeover would cause Microsoft loads of self-harm, perhaps more than any good. Even a friendly takeover would have questionable benefits because of the enormous product and service overlap between the companies. But if the choice is some Yahoo deal—even a new acquisition—or strangulation at the hands of Carl Ica ...

Icahn Yahoo Better than You?
2008-05-18 00:30:00
News Commentary. Maybe Yahoo should have taken Microsoft's money. Suddenly, there are worse assaults. Carl Icahn's proxy fight is sure to put an end to Yahoo as we know it—unless a majority of investors rally for the company's cause. But proxy fights favor large investors like Carl is trying to be, even though they are the minority holders in Yahoo. The proxy battle also illustrates one of the many things wrong with the rules, whether enforced culturally or with regulations, that govern public companies. Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang clearly is in process of turning around the company he co-founded. His predecessor spread Yahoo too far and too thin in an effort to make it into a global media conglomerate. Jerry is aligning Yahoo's priorities with the competitive Web 2.0 marketplace. Jerry needs more time to right the listing, but by no means sinking, ship. Yahoo may be between a Google rock and a Microsoft hard place, but there is hope in good leadership. (Apologies for t ...

One Windows Per Child
2008-05-17 00:46:00
News Analysis. Microsoft's OWPC initiative has succeeded, nicely. Apparently, Sugar isn't so sweet. But will the alternative be any tastier? That's the question to ask as the drama around OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) becomes the ever-growing soap opera. High-level executive departures, a near-$200 laptop price instead of the planned 100 bucks and now Windows XP pushing out Sugar OS. Somebody wants to influence the world's youth. Microsoft made its announcement late yesterday, and I almost blogged it before going to bed. But this one needed a fresh mind to grapple with all the nuances behind the drama. Microsoft's announcement is simple: OLPC will license Windows XP for its XO laptop. Trials will start in June in some emerging markets, which Microsoft's press release doesn't identify. Fortunately, Microsoft's Unlimited Potential blog is more forthcoming. James Utzschneider, marketing and communications general manager for Microsoft's Unlimited Potential group, ...

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