Microsoft: Saving face by buying Facebook?
Microsoft, we get it: That Yahoo thing fell through, and picking up the pieces can be messy. But according to Kara Swisher at All Things D, Redmond just won't give up. The company has reportedly put together a Plan B that it refers to as "Project Granola," a name that makes "Zune" sound good.
And part of "Project Granola," Swisher wrote, is exploring the possibility of turning that $240 million stake in Facebook into an outright ownership.
More specifically, Microsoft's bankers have been shooting "subtle signals" in Facebook's direction, without expecting much of an outcome. "We just want to gauge their interest, more than any real effort," a shadowy financial type told Swisher, adding that he or she doesn't think Facebook will budge from its desire to eventually go public.
But the ultimate goal for Microsoft might be just to acquire some hot Web 2.0 names, not necessarily Facebook. In that case, the likes of Digg or LinkedIn might satisfy Steve Ballmer's appetite.
Just remember to have some plain yogurt with that granola, Ballmer. It tastes better if you keep it simple.
Caroline McCarthy, a CNET News staff writer, is a downtown Manhattanite happily addicted to social-media tools and restaurant blogs. Her pre-CNET resume includes interning at an IT security firm and brewing cappuccinos. E-mail Caroline.
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Social network and groups
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Microhoo,
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Facebook,
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Microsoft,
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Yahoo,
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acquisitions,
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M&A,
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social networking,
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Here at my college, Facebook seems to have decreased in popularity... and I can easily see why. It's not connected anymore. The "Applications" are stupid, limited, and because it seems FB will accept just about anyone, buggy. If they would have opened Applications to say, less than 100, it'd be fine. But now it's just a giant mess... and Facebook chat is more of an annoyance than anything.
But, in any case, I agree. They should return to their primary business and stop trying to be all things to all people. Can you imagine if Ford started making frdges? LOL!
regards,
www.dangtrade.com
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=fuS0dEfDjTo