[Ajay]

Originally Posted by shavei7

that doesn't really matter here. we're just discussing angles/possibilities on what MS might do to save MSN...

Actually it does. Bill Gates is retired from Microsoft, so though he does influence a lot of decisions out there, taking over another company is not just strategic it is also financial.

You have to gather together enough finances to take over a worldwide company. You face opposition from shareholders and the general public at large.

[Eric]

They could keep both names. The same thing happened with AT&T Wireless and Cingular.

Originally Posted by alex

It's not really a matter of want. Google has a 44% search market share, Yahoo 32% and MSN 12%. Microsoft has spent close to one billion dollars and has not even come close to beating out Google, by acquiring Yahoo, it not only closes up the loop of competitors but will now be at par with Yahoo.

What will be interesting, a lot of money has been spent recently in branding the live.com project, whereas the question would be what does that mean if they bought yahoo? I can't imagine that MSN and Live would become Yahoo, however, I can't imagine that Microsoft would give up on the powerful brand name that is Yahoo and it makes no sense to keep both. It will be an interesting play.

[Ajay]

Originally Posted by Eric

They could keep both names. The same thing happened with AT&T Wireless and Cingular.

As in the case of Maxim-Dallas, even to date they sell the semiconductors by their original names.

[mann3r]

I dont think they will merge, this is competition, yahoo is doing what it can to have its name equalled to google, as long as competition takes place, improvements is taking place, if these buy out doesn't happen, MSN can improve.

[ebittner]

I do not think it would happen for the reason that yahoo is #2 right now to users but #1 in traffic and why would they want to sell when they are hitting a high peak even though the stock just droped a bit.

[thebookish]

If money speaks it is possible that MS will buy both Yahoo and Google to lose the competitin, but still another one will rise up and still get over MSN, making a new yahoo and google.

[Life Xpect]

Originally Posted by thebookish

If money speaks it is possible that MS will buy both Yahoo and Google to lose the competitin, but still another one will rise up and still get over MSN, making a new yahoo and google.

Competition*, edit it :) .. I'am sure nothing is going to happen, everything will stay the way it is.. Yahoo & Microsoft has been on the net for years and nothing is going to change that! .. The situation looks pretty much like Microsoft will buy Yahoo or Microsoft & Yahoo will merge but if you'll think again, then its too good to be real!

[ScottHughes]

I think there's too much room for competition for these two major players to merge. I think both companies want to get ahead of both of their respective competitors. These markets are quickly evolving, and both companies are just trying to capitalize and the next new developments.

If the market were more stoic, I'd find it more likely for such a drastic merger.

[Eric]

Originally Posted by ScottHughes

I think there's too much room for competition for these two major players to merge. I think both companies want to get ahead of both of their respective competitors. These markets are quickly evolving, and both companies are just trying to capitalize and the next new developments.

If the market were more stoic, I'd find it more likely for such a drastic merger.

So... are you saying a merge would be bad? If so, why?

[Tucker]

There are advantages and disadvantages to a merger. The advantage is that a combined force would have a better chance against Google. The disadvantage is that Yahoo would lose their chance to fight it out and win for much more profits than if they gave up and sold out now.