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Bill Gates denies ongoing negotiations with Yahoo!

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bill-gates.gifContrary to Yahoo’s fantasy that Microsoft would raise its unsolicited bid after the initial rejection, chairman Bill Gates said there are no ongoing private or secret negotiations with the struggling company. After all, Microsoft deems the offer “full and fair”.

“We sent them a letter and said we think that’s a fair offer. There’s nothing that’s gone on other than us stating that we think it’s a fair offer. They should take a hard look at it,” said Gates, in a news article.

It means Yahoo will still have to further talks with News Corp and possible advertising tie-ups with Google in order to stay afloat.

Still, most analysts speculate this is not yet the end of the controversial drama, citing Microsoft’s inability to close the gap with Google despite heavy investments on advertising and search engine technologies

Originally posted on February 19, 2008 @ 9:33 am

Yahoo! oneConnect seeks to redefine mobile communications

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yahoo! oneconnectYahoo! has announced the upcoming launch of Yahoo! oneConnect, the first mobile product with an open architecture that aggregates communications tools including email, instant messaging, text messaging, and social networks.

It is expected to be available this coming second quarter.

At the heart of this new product is the so-called “socially-connected address book” which provides users the capability to integrate activity from popular social networks, professional networks, and communities into their address book, keeping it always in sync.

Here are some of its exciting features:

An open communications platform – Give users the functionality to communicate via multiple communications tools – such as IM, SMS, and social networks. Widgets will provide users the capability to access their email across major email providers, such as Yahoo! Mail, MSN Hotmail, Gmail, and AOL Mail.

Pulse – Provide consumers the functionality to see a dynamic overview of what friends are up to, including recent photos, their status, profile updates, and recommendations based on their most recent actions on popular social networks.

Social contact card – Allow users to aggregate the most relevant information on any given contact, including archives of past communications, detailed pulse history, and one-click ways to initiate communication.

Originally posted on February 12, 2008 @ 11:58 am

Yahoo – News Corp alliance in the works

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news-corp.gifAfter rejecting Microsoft’s “undervalued” proposal, Yahoo is like a damsel in distress desperately hoping for its prince charming named News Corp. to rescue her from a looming hostile takeover.

According to a news article, the ever mysterious “person familiar with the situation” has confirmed that confidential details of this partnership are still in the works.

Then again, this might just be a contrived effort to force Microsoft to up the ante. As of today, the insensitive software giant stands by its “full and fair” bid. Or perhaps Yahoo is asking for a ridiculous bid simply because it doesn’t to sell to Microsoft. Take your pick.

Though News Corp’s Rupert Murdoch once mentioned that they are not interested in acquiring Yahoo, he remains open about a possible collaboration between this company and his social network site MySpace.com.

Originally posted on February 14, 2008 @ 6:40 am

Yahoo! acquires Maven Networks for $160 million

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Yahoo! Inc. has acquired Maven Networks, Inc. to expand state-of-the-art consumer video and advertising experiences on Yahoo.com and Yahoo!’s network of video publishers across the web. Under the terms of the agreement, Yahoo! acquired Maven Networks for approximately $160 million.

Maven’s platform is currently used to manage, distribute and monetize premium online video content for over 30 major media companies, including Fox News, Sony BMG, CBS Sports, Hearst, Gannett, Scripps Networks, and the Financial Times as well as hundreds of their affiliates. Together they represent one of the most robust video platforms in the industry.

The Maven video publishing platform enables publishers to deliver state-of-the-art consumer video experiences through simple media management, workflow and flexible media players. Maven also enables publishers to increase video ad inventory and revenue through a dynamic advertising insertion engine, sophisticated inventory management, reporting tools and advanced ad formats.

Originally posted on February 12, 2008 @ 10:17 am

Yahoo to Microsoft’s offer: No way!

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Yahoo! Inc. said the Yahoo! Board of Directors has carefully reviewed Microsoft’s unsolicited proposal with Yahoo!’s management team and financial and legal advisors and has unanimously concluded that the proposal is not in the best interests of Yahoo! and our stockholders.

Goldman, Sachs & Co., Lehman Brothers and Moelis & Company are acting as financial advisors to Yahoo!. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is acting as legal advisor to Yahoo!, and Munger Tolles & Olson LLP is acting as counsel to the outside directors of Yahoo!

Editor’s note: In short, it is the same as asking Microsoft to make the offer higher.

Originally posted on February 11, 2008 @ 11:01 am