Comments on: Could AOL Be Next on Microsoft’s List? http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/ Startup and Tech News Sat, 17 May 2008 09:42:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Doc Rich http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2284400 Doc Rich Fri, 09 May 2008 05:10:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2284400 AOL is a sleeper. The remaining hard stock is an asset in the millions and some back end assets that Time Warner has kept under wraps would sweeten the deal...and they will use them. The former bad blood between AOL and Microsoft makes adds another reason Gates might like to put this trophy in his basket. I say time will tell (no pun intended). AOL is a sleeper. The remaining hard stock is an asset in the millions and some back end assets that Time Warner has kept under wraps would sweeten the deal…and they will use them.

The former bad blood between AOL and Microsoft makes adds another reason Gates might like to put this trophy in his basket. I say time will tell (no pun intended).

]]> By: Intology.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2280694 Intology.com Wed, 07 May 2008 11:50:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2280694 Stop spreading rumours! Just because Microsoft went after Yahoo doesn't mean it will go after every other company Stop spreading rumours!
Just because Microsoft went after Yahoo doesn’t mean it will go after every other company

]]> By: Does Microsoft Need to Acquire Someone? http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2279037 Does Microsoft Need to Acquire Someone? Wed, 07 May 2008 03:45:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2279037 [...] Eric Shonfeld of TechCrunch speculates that the lack of movement in Time Warner’s stock price today indicates that Microsoft hasn’t made any moves toward AOL, and contrasts that with the healthy rebound of YHOO today. However, he may be forgetting that Time Warner is more than just AOL, so the stock is probably a bit stickier than Yahoo’s since Yahoo’s stock is completely tied up in, well, Yahoo. Also important is that TWX has actually bounced about 3.4% since the Microsoft-Yahoo deal broke down. That movement may not be as drastic as Yahoo’s, but for a large, sticky stock, it is notable. [...] […] Eric Shonfeld of TechCrunch speculates that the lack of movement in Time Warner’s stock price today indicates that Microsoft hasn’t made any moves toward AOL, and contrasts that with the healthy rebound of YHOO today. However, he may be forgetting that Time Warner is more than just AOL, so the stock is probably a bit stickier than Yahoo’s since Yahoo’s stock is completely tied up in, well, Yahoo. Also important is that TWX has actually bounced about 3.4% since the Microsoft-Yahoo deal broke down. That movement may not be as drastic as Yahoo’s, but for a large, sticky stock, it is notable. […]

]]> By: phenom http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2278075 phenom Tue, 06 May 2008 23:19:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2278075 AOL = EOL (End of life) http://vidsonly.blogspot.com/ AOL = EOL (End of life)
http://vidsonly.blogspot.com/

]]> By: Master of the Web http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2277484 Master of the Web Tue, 06 May 2008 21:15:06 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2277484 Sorry... but ... what is AOL ? Sorry… but … what is AOL ?

]]> By: Slali Baluma Lada Mabo http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2277320 Slali Baluma Lada Mabo Tue, 06 May 2008 20:39:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2277320 Forget AOL. Microsoft should buy Time Warner and start running it right. Forget AOL. Microsoft should buy Time Warner and start running it right.

]]> By: Chris B http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2277264 Chris B Tue, 06 May 2008 20:25:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2277264 I don't get where the value of AOL is...are the types of people who still use their services and access their portal (i.e. my mother and countless thousands of other technophobes still paying $24 a month because they think they will lose their @aol e-mail address if they cancel) all that valuable outside of their raw numbers? I would doubt that. The only portion of AOL's business that seems like it would have some value--however small--would be the Weblogs portion of the business (Engadget, Joystiq, etc.). It's also interesting that Microsoft will gladly drop a lotta billions on buying up another company instead of investing a fraction of that to acquire the right talent to build a solution that will work. I don’t get where the value of AOL is…are the types of people who still use their services and access their portal (i.e. my mother and countless thousands of other technophobes still paying $24 a month because they think they will lose their @aol e-mail address if they cancel) all that valuable outside of their raw numbers? I would doubt that.

The only portion of AOL’s business that seems like it would have some value–however small–would be the Weblogs portion of the business (Engadget, Joystiq, etc.).

It’s also interesting that Microsoft will gladly drop a lotta billions on buying up another company instead of investing a fraction of that to acquire the right talent to build a solution that will work.

]]> By: TC Fanatic http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2277254 TC Fanatic Tue, 06 May 2008 20:22:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2277254 <strong>Erick</strong> I don't think that would be a good idea but then again Microsoft WILL spend some money on something , might be AOL who knows. .... Erick

I don’t think that would be a good idea but then again Microsoft WILL spend some money on something , might be AOL who knows. ….

]]> By: Dave L http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2277222 Dave L Tue, 06 May 2008 20:13:01 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2277222 Microsoft going after a cheaper, less confident company? That pretty much describes Yahoo! now that the stock dipped. Microsoft going after a cheaper, less confident company? That pretty much describes Yahoo! now that the stock dipped.

]]> By: Been there http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2277154 Been there Tue, 06 May 2008 19:43:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2277154 @14 Jon: "Microsoft should also take a look at Ask.com and the About Network." Ask.com is owned by IAC which owns many properties including TicketMaster.com, Match.com, etc. About.com is owned by the New York Times. @14 Jon: “Microsoft should also take a look at Ask.com and the About Network.”

Ask.com is owned by IAC which owns many properties including TicketMaster.com, Match.com, etc.

About.com is owned by the New York Times.

]]> By: ValleyGuy http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2277062 ValleyGuy Tue, 06 May 2008 19:19:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2277062 what about google's 5% stake, search deal? what would happen to that? i doubt if there is an easy out there what about google’s 5% stake, search deal? what would happen to that? i doubt if there is an easy out there

]]> By: Jay (Twitter @qthrul) http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2277054 Jay (Twitter @qthrul) Tue, 06 May 2008 19:17:55 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2277054 We might never know how Yahoo infrastructure would have transformed... but moving over AOL would be a huge back office infrastructure story for Microsoft. AOL is a hyooge Linux shop. Even with all their layoffs they still have over a dozen Linux oriented positions open. We might never know how Yahoo infrastructure would have transformed… but moving over AOL would be a huge back office infrastructure story for Microsoft. AOL is a hyooge Linux shop. Even with all their layoffs they still have over a dozen Linux oriented positions open.

]]> By: Yahooooo! http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276935 Yahooooo! Tue, 06 May 2008 18:43:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276935 @camdef: "I only hope these companies are not rules by people reading Techcrunch. Sell! Buy! Yahoo is doomed! Microsoft is doomed! Google is good! Google is evil! Chill out, people.." With 1,000,000 RSS subscribers alone, if we all held the same opinion about something (almost ANYTHING), then it would be scary.... really scary.... There are plenty of 'tards, plenty of really smart people, and plenty in between who read this. Trying to put a lid on it is futile. @camdef:

“I only hope these companies are not rules by people reading Techcrunch. Sell! Buy! Yahoo is doomed! Microsoft is doomed! Google is good! Google is evil! Chill out, people..”

With 1,000,000 RSS subscribers alone, if we all held the same opinion about something (almost ANYTHING), then it would be scary…. really scary….

There are plenty of ‘tards, plenty of really smart people, and plenty in between who read this. Trying to put a lid on it is futile.

]]> By: jc http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276632 jc Tue, 06 May 2008 17:38:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276632 I would like to see Yahoo stay independent because I think there is still life in that company. However I think AOL's time has passed and can benefit greatly from an MS merger. AOL is still making more money than Facebook and MS can benefit from the loyal AOL users and their simpler use of the internet, contrary to the Yahoo users that would completely abandon MS and actively thwart the merger. I would like to see Yahoo stay independent because I think there is still life in that company. However I think AOL’s time has passed and can benefit greatly from an MS merger. AOL is still making more money than Facebook and MS can benefit from the loyal AOL users and their simpler use of the internet, contrary to the Yahoo users that would completely abandon MS and actively thwart the merger.

]]> By: kayakman http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276609 kayakman Tue, 06 May 2008 17:33:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276609 actually AOL has some cool stuff going on these days. AOL radio ROCKS!!! AIM is also cool... they just bought bebo... actually AOL has some cool stuff going on these days. AOL radio ROCKS!!! AIM is also cool… they just bought bebo…

]]> By: Ron http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276566 Ron Tue, 06 May 2008 17:28:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276566 Why would anyone want AOL, unless they stripped out the good parts like Adv Com, Tacoda, Quigo and dumped AOL itself. Falco and Grant are clueless. Every other portal is putting up numbers except AOL. Why would anyone want AOL, unless they stripped out the good parts like Adv Com, Tacoda, Quigo and dumped AOL itself. Falco and Grant are clueless. Every other portal is putting up numbers except AOL.

]]> By: Jon http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276541 Jon Tue, 06 May 2008 17:23:22 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276541 I think the AOL fit would be better for Microsoft culture wise and user base wise, however, Microsoft should also take a look at Ask.com and the About Network. There are millions of unique hits per month and MS could walk away with the Ask.com network at a discount in comparison to Yahoo. I think the AOL fit would be better for Microsoft culture wise and user base wise, however, Microsoft should also take a look at Ask.com and the About Network. There are millions of unique hits per month and MS could walk away with the Ask.com network at a discount in comparison to Yahoo.

]]> By: camdef http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276332 camdef Tue, 06 May 2008 16:45:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276332 I only hope these companies are not rules by people reading Techcrunch. Sell! Buy! Yahoo is doomed! Microsoft is doomed! Google is good! Google is evil! Chill out, people.. I only hope these companies are not rules by people reading Techcrunch. Sell! Buy! Yahoo is doomed! Microsoft is doomed! Google is good! Google is evil! Chill out, people..

]]> By: Jason Jenkins LIVE! http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276325 Jason Jenkins LIVE! Tue, 06 May 2008 16:43:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276325 i like Microsoft's new focus... i like Microsoft’s new focus…

]]> By: M.A.S. http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276255 M.A.S. Tue, 06 May 2008 16:30:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276255 This would be an interesting if not more valuable purchase. With AOL essentially being a mini-clone of Yahoo in respect to portal properties I think it might work well. AOL's portal offerings are stronger then MSN's. Not to mention the combination of the interenet's two largest IM platforms and email services would be huge. There is plenty there to be combined. not quite as nice a fit as Yahoo would have been but perhaps the setups could be more easily integrated. On the flip side who is to say this is not a ploy by MS to lure the Yahoo shareholders into coming back at a missed opportunity. At the way the stock is trading now a comeback deal of even $30-$33 a share must sound rather good after what they just lost. This would be an interesting if not more valuable purchase. With AOL essentially being a mini-clone of Yahoo in respect to portal properties I think it might work well. AOL’s portal offerings are stronger then MSN’s.

Not to mention the combination of the interenet’s two largest IM platforms and email services would be huge. There is plenty there to be combined. not quite as nice a fit as Yahoo would have been but perhaps the setups could be more easily integrated.

On the flip side who is to say this is not a ploy by MS to lure the Yahoo shareholders into coming back at a missed opportunity. At the way the stock is trading now a comeback deal of even $30-$33 a share must sound rather good after what they just lost.

]]> By: Shams http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276250 Shams Tue, 06 May 2008 16:29:19 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276250 Disclosure: As a regular reader of Techcrunch, I own some shares of TC :-) . Disclosure: As a regular reader of Techcrunch, I own some shares of TC :-) .

]]> By: Chuck Boyce http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276232 Chuck Boyce Tue, 06 May 2008 16:26:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276232 AOL. Oh my. Don't even joke about that. AOL is a nightmare. I agree with Hank Williams. MSFT should buy Adobe. It would be a genius stroke. http://whydoeseverythingsuck.com/2008/05/come-on-already-isnt-someone-going-to.html Chuck AOL. Oh my.

Don’t even joke about that.

AOL is a nightmare.

I agree with Hank Williams.

MSFT should buy Adobe. It would be a genius stroke.

http://whydoeseverythingsuck.c.....ng-to.html

Chuck

]]> By: Yahooooo! http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276205 Yahooooo! Tue, 06 May 2008 16:21:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276205 And yes, #2 is correct. Just watching CNBC for an hour this morning made it quite plain that the Street still thinks it's gonna get done at $34, and that there's a good chance it'll happen when Yahoo's Board is ousted at this summer's meeting. The major shareholders are openly talking about canning Jerry & Co. and talking to MS themselves. And yes, #2 is correct. Just watching CNBC for an hour this morning made it quite plain that the Street still thinks it’s gonna get done at $34, and that there’s a good chance it’ll happen when Yahoo’s Board is ousted at this summer’s meeting.

The major shareholders are openly talking about canning Jerry & Co. and talking to MS themselves.

]]> By: 113.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276183 113.com Tue, 06 May 2008 16:18:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276183 Nice way to keep oneself busy :-D Nice way to keep oneself busy :-D

]]> By: Yahooooo! http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276171 Yahooooo! Tue, 06 May 2008 16:16:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/06/could-aol-be-next-on-microsofts-list/#comment-2276171 I wouldn't put it past MS, as doing this is a serious way to kick Jerry in the crotch! I wouldn’t put it past MS, as doing this is a serious way to kick Jerry in the crotch!

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