HI-TECH news

The proposed Microsoft-Yahoo deal seems to have hit a small and oddly unspecified bump.  The companies missed an October 27th deadline by which they hoped to have some details ironed out.

Yahoo admitted yesterday in an SEC filing, “The Letter Agreement specified that the parties would execute Definitive Agreements by October 27, 2009, but given the complex nature of the transaction, there remain some details to be finalized.  The parties are working diligently on finalizing the agreements, have made good progress to date, and have agreed to execute the agreements as expeditiously as possible.”

The Microsoft-Yahoo partnership hasn’t been derailed, then, and considering all the time and energy everyone’s spent following these dealings, that’s a bit of a relief.  There’s just the question of why this delay has occurred.

Microsoft and Yahoo might be holding some quiet discussions with regulators in order to make sure they get things right on the first try.  Or maybe, considering that this is a ten-year deal, both sides’ lawyers have just gotten a little overwhelmed with paperwork.

Anything more serious would probably merit a mention in the SEC filing.

So hang in there and we’ll see what happens.  Yahoo did not establish a new target date, by the way.

Related Articles:

> Carl Icahn Quits Yahoo’s Board Of Directors

> Advertising Powerhouses Champion Microsoft-Yahoo Deal

> Justice Department Asks Microsoft, Yahoo For More Info

Since IAC/InterActiveCorp CEO Barry Diller indicated on Tuesday that he’s willing to sell Ask.com, the question on many people’s minds has been, “Who might buy it?”  And at this point, the most likely answer seems to be “Microsoft.”

Let’s run down the possibilities within the search industry.  There would be little point in Google buying Ask.  After all, Google’s market share dwarfs the 2 to 3 percent Ask currently controls, and the two companies already have an advertising deal in place.

Yahoo might get more out of buying Ask, since doing so would augment its search share by a noticeable amount and toss a monkey wrench at Google, but with the Microsoft search partnership sort of looming overhead, such a move would also seem a little pointless.

Finally, AOL, for its part, is about to lose access to Time Warner’s checkbook.

Which leaves Microsoft, a favorite of analysts to whom Yinka Adegoke spoke.  Microsoft’s already demonstrated a willingness to buy search companies, and since the Yahoo acquisition failed, may have some money intended expressly for that purpose sitting around.

Then, you have to consider that a market share of 2 or 3 percent must look pretty respectable to a company that itself only has a share of 10 or 11 percent.

This speculation doesn’t amount to an offer on Steve Ballmer’s part, of course.  It just looks like his company might be able to find a use for Ask if the price is right.

Related Articles:

> Microsoft, Yahoo Miss Deadline Agreement

> MySpace, MSN Now Said To Be In Talks

> Facebook/Twitter Use May Now Mean More For Google/Bing Rankings

Recently during a third-quarter conference call Verizon CEO, Ivan Seidenberg, stated that bringing the iPhone to Verizon is a decision that is totally up to Apple. Do you think the iPhone will ever be on Verizon? Tell us what you think.

Below is the full quote from the conference call…

“This is a decision that is exclusively in Apple’s court … Obviously we would be interested if they thought it would make sense for them to have us as a partner. And so we will leave it with them on that score. We want to broaden the base of choice for customers, and hopefully along the way, Apple, as well as others, will decide to jump on the bandwagon.”

Previously, Seidenberg has said that he believes that Apple would likely wait until 2010 to bring the iPhone to Verizon, as this is when the new 4G LTE wireless network will be rolling out. The new 4G network features the same standards as AT&T as well as other providers, which would make the iPhone’s transition much easier.

With the new “Droid Does” advertising campaign in full swing, it could make negotiations between Verizon and Apple quite uncomfortable. Some have even speculated that Verizon doesn’t see Apple partnering with them and will begin burning bridges with even harsher advertisements.

Your choice: iPhone on AT&T or Verizon - Tell us which one you choose.

Related Articles:

> Apple Fans Respond To The “Droid Does” Advertising Campaign

> Android Demands as Much Marketing Attention as iPhone

> iPhone vs gPhone: No Competition?