CNet has published a memo, Kevin Johnson's letter on Microsoft's updated online strategy, sent on Sunday. It repeats the "four pillars" of the current strategy, which are:
1. Consolidate ad platform and win in display 2. Innovate and disrupt in search 3. Deliver end-to-end user experiences across PC, phone, and web 4. Reinvent portal and social media experiences
Well, there's nothing wrong with being ambitious, but it's better to be realistic.....
Johnson notes that "On Tuesday, Brian McAndrews is hosting advance08, our annual advertising conference here in Redmond." Then:
On Wednesday, we will be announcing a major new initiative that our search teams have been driving. We are getting better and better with our core algorithmic search, and at the same time, we are investing to differentiate in vertical experiences and to disrupt the current model. You'll hear more about our plans Wednesday.
"Vertical experiences" are things like medical searches. Although Micrososft has zero chance of unseating Google in the short term, if ever, it might be able to get a toe-hold in niches.
Otherwise, as the Mercury News notes: "Yahoo and Microsoft have resumed talks in the wake of a shareholder rebellion launched by billionaire investor Carl Icahn, but this time the discussions are focusing on a deal short of outright acquisition."
Rather than being a takeover, discussions are thought to be about a search advertising deal. Microsoft says: "Microsoft is considering and has raised with Yahoo! an alternative that would involve a transaction with Yahoo! but not an acquisition of all of Yahoo!"
