Indian Eye

Microsoft Bids US$ 44 billion for Yahoo!

Software giant Microsoft bids US$ 44 billion for Yahoo! in cash and stocks, a 60% premium over current market price. The search engine market is dominated by Google with an impressive 56% dominance (in the US). Yahoo and Microsoft account for about 31% of the pie, and the rest scattered across the multitude of search engines. But even with the merger, it isn’t such an exciting deal, and I suspect the combined market share to dip even further. Unfortunately for Yahoo, business hasn’t been very good off late and with declining profits and margins, it would seem like a good deal from Microsoft.

The combined entity may however pose a semblance of a threat to Google, and may get Google on its toes. Will Yahoo exist as a seperate entity, or will it remain a skin powered by Microsoft Live search waits to be seen.

Tags: Google, Microsoft, Search, Yahoo

Posted in Business, Google, Search, Technology | No Comments »

Google Android - The beginning of the end for legacy phones

Rumours of a GPhone (similar to an iPhone) have been floating around, after Google acquired a mobile phone software start-up. Well, in November 2007, those rumours were quashed when Google officially launched the Android, not a phone, but even more powerful - an Open Mobile Platform.

“Android is the first truly open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices. It includes an operating system, user-interface and applications — all of the software to run a mobile phone, but without the proprietary obstacles that have hindered mobile innovation,” announced Andy Rubin. Android was launched as part of the Open Handset Alliance, an alliance of some very prominent players like NTT DoCoMo, Sprint, T-Mobile, HTC,  Intel, NVIDIA, LG, Samsung, Nextel, Motorola, eBay, China Mobile, Texas Instruments and several more.

Is it revolutionary? Hell Yea! Watch out for this space. In the meanwhile, check out the Android introduction video.

Tags: Android, Google, Mobile Phone

Posted in Google, Internet, Technology | 1 Comment »

Google Custom Search

To start with, IndianEye.org search is now powered by the Google Custom Search Engine. Why is it so great to start with? For two reasons: 1. I now have the power and versatility of Google search for my blog, and 2. I can host the search results page on my domain, and customise the search results page the way I want. Isn’t that cool!
Its still in the Beta though, but then again, so is Gmail :).

Tags: Google, Search

Posted in Internet, Technology | 4 Comments »