SearchEngineUpdate with Vanessa Zamora - 05-19-2008 Part I
Abstract: 1. Microsoft Continues To Mingle With Yahoo, Still Hopes To Beat Google, 2. The One Laptop Per Child Program and Microsoft Team Up
Vanessa Zamora
Video Content Producer, SearchEngineWorld
5:05 pm on May 19, 2008 (utc 0)
Transcript
Monday May 19, 2008
Microsoft Continues To Mingle With Yahoo, Still Hopes To Beat Google
Microsoft has approached Yahoo once again, this time to complete a transaction that reportedly entails a deal related to advertisements that run next to Internet search results. Furthermore, Microsoft also said in the statement that it "reserves the right to reconsider" the possibility of a bid for Yahoo, meaning a proposed acquisition isn’t entirely out of the question like previous statements by Microsoft suggested. The shift may be twofold, first as a result of billionaire investor Carl Icahn’s efforts to bring Yahoo and Microsoft back to the drawing table, including his attempt to replace Yahoo's board of directors. Mr. Icahn bought 10 million Yahoo shares and acquired options to purchase 49 million more. Microsoft may also be trying to keep Yahoo from forging an anticipated partnership deal with Google to provide text advertisements on Yahoo search result pages. Despite what unfolds, Microsoft Windows and Windows Live chief Kevin Johnson has outlined an updated online and advertising strategy that says Microsoft will consolidate its ad platform and win in display, innovate and disrupt in search, deliver end to end user experience across PC, phone, and web, and reinvent portal and social media experiences. An announcement regarding a major new search related initiative is expected Wednesday.
The One Laptop Per Child Program and Microsoft Team Up
Microsoft, under a new partnership with The One Laptop Per Child Project, will provide its Windows operating system on the green and white “XO” computers. The project, meant to help provide inexpensive laptops to poor schoolchildren around the world, has so far seen disappointing sales and cost issues. Beginning in limited runs next month, XO buyers will have the option of computers loaded with or without Windows. Versions with Windows will cost $18 to $20 more. Come October, the laptop will come as a dual boot machine that can run both Windows and its current, open-source operating system, Linux. Until now, the OLPC laptop also included an open-source learning platform called Sugar and educational software that could be freely modified at a cost of $188 per laptop. Despite controversy over the decision to forge a partnership with Microsoft, OLPC hopes the decision will help it with its goal of providing more laptops to children in need.
5:05 pm on May 19, 2008 (utc 0)