37 replies to this topic

[x2p]

AOL, Microsoft Reportedly in Talks
By Ed Oswald, BetaNews
September 15, 2005, 2:35 PM

Microsoft is reportedly in talks to take a large financial stake in America Online. At least two media outlets cited sources close to the two companies who confirmed that talks were occurring. However, it's not clear if the discussions extended beyond simple collaboration ideas.

The actual talk of an investment came within a bigger discussion on how the two companies could collaborate according to the Wall Street Journal and New York Post, which first reported the story. Sources say Microsoft has suggested that the ISP use its search engine, rather than Google that it currently uses for search.

According to the WSJ, the talks have extended beyond search into a possible merger of the AOL and MSN ad sales groups. However, Reuters cited a source late Thursday morning calling the talk of a joint venture "overblown."

AOL has suffered from shrinking subscriber numbers as its core base of dial-up subscribers move to broadband. Microsoft's MSN division, on the other hand, outmaneuvered AOL in the broadband market by signing deals with several providers including Verizon and SBC. Neither AOL nor Microsoft are commenting on the speculation.

[clarky3429]

hopefully one day microsoft take AOL over and shut it down

[Visentinel]

That would also mean MS will own ICQ

so no matter if you use MSN AOl or ICQ itd all be MSN

Sigh.

[Nvyseal]

clarky3429, on Sep 16 2005, 03:32 PM, said:

hopefully one day microsoft take AOL over and shut it down

Looks like Google might be jumping into the picture here

[Neon]

I think this is interesting, thinking about it i know the one thing that puts people off AOL is their own browser that eats memory for fun.

It's too much of a monster to be allowed!

[ShadowFox]

Agreed with Karl, but I think AOL should be shut down... I still to this day hear "You've got mail" playing in my head... MAKE TEH MADNESS STOP!!!!

ICQ is annyoing, it always messed up on me, besides I didn't enjoy it, AOL, pfft get outta here, it's worthless, about the only thing good about it is being able to transfer things via Direct Connect. If MSN had this featuer I'd have no use for AIM... that and MSN needs skins... greedy ********.

[theman]

Nah, AOL might stay around for awhile...because hey, there's always going to be computer-illiterate/aging computer users out there, haha. But they do charge way too much for their services, and somewhere along the line they'll have to either cut their prices or invest in something else.

[RedInferno]

I don't know about me liking aol taking over microsoft. Personally, between the two, I like M$ better. AOL is just kinda annoying.

[ShadowFox]

yup AOL is VERY annoying.

[clarky3429]

especially when your are drowned with 100 free offer hours... (reminds me of harry potter with the application forms flooding the house)

[Visentinel]

With trillian i could talk to my best online Friend with icq aol or msn, we choose aim coz its the most stable =\

[x2p]

One Word For AOL .... Drinks Mats

[RedInferno]

No more AOL CD's! lol, they are more numerous than the mail in my post office!

[Neon]

Actually i am going to start something here...

Who has the most stupid/clever/funny suggestion for what we could use AOL CD's for?

I think a mirror for the fish...

[clarky3429]

i think we could use them at the shooting ranges instead of the clay disks....!