SearchEngineUpdate with Vanessa Zamora - 07-02-2008 Part I
Abstract: 1. Microsoft Seeks Allies For New Yahoo Bid: Report, Yahoo Shares Slide, 2. Microsoft Confirms Plans To Purchase Search Firm Powerset, 3. Google - Yahoo Deal Subject Of Antitrust Probe: Report
Vanessa Zamora
Video Content Producer, SearchEngineWorld
4:47 pm on July 2, 2008 (utc 0)
Transcript
Wednesday July 2, 2008
Microsoft Seeks Allies For New Yahoo Bid: Report, Yahoo Shares Slide
According to The Wall Street Journal, Microsoft is not finished with its attempt to acquire Yahoo, although this time Microsoft is only vying for a portion of the company. Microsoft is reportedly preparing a new bid for Yahoo’s search business and hopes to enlist the aid of other media companies such as Time Warner or News Corp in the process. The proposal is preliminary, yet if successful would result in the breakup of Yahoo, in which Microsoft would take over its search business while another media company would combine forces with what remained of Yahoo. Meanwhile, Yahoo shares fell to their lowest point since January, right before Microsoft made its unsolicited bid to acquire Yahoo.
Microsoft Confirms Plans To Purchase Search Firm Powerset
Just as many expected, Microsoft confirmed Tuesday that it has reached a deal to buy search technology company Powerset for a reported $100 million. Microsoft will integrate the San Francisco based company’s natural language technology into other natural language processing technologies at Microsoft Research. Both companies together hope to take search to the next level by adding understanding of the intent and meaning behind the words in searches and webpages.
Google - Yahoo Deal Subject Of Antitrust Probe: Report
Google last month struck a deal with Yahoo to provide search advertising for some of Yahoo searches in the United States and Canada. Execution of the deal has been delayed as the companies now face a formal antitrust investigation by the Justice Department. The formal steps to be taken suggest the department may have found some cause for concern. Google, according to competitors and critics, could gain a monopoly in Internet advertising if the deal with Yahoo is permitted.
