You are spot on. I had exactly the same sentiment when I read Google’s statement which reeks of hypocrisy.

I welcome Microsoft’s acquisition of Yahoo as I believe it will create a more formidable competitor to Google. And competition, while messy and sometimes painful, always leads to better things for all of us.

I would also say the fear that the internet will become dominated by these two huge corporations is unfounded. While they may dominate in the short-term, someone will always come along to disrupt the status quo. Google did it themselves in the late 90′s.

Google uses their power on every chance they get to force people to abide by their rules (ie paid links).

They’re only interested in their own self interest.

~Shannon

Can Microsoft integrate Yahoo and MSN services into their future applications and operating systems? Everything could be integrated, free and stock on every PC.

So… Microsoft recently purchased the online advertising/ad-serving giant aQuantitive which was partly in response to Google purchasing Double Click, etc, etc… It’s turning into a two sided arms race.

Watch for Microsoft to purchase a web analytics package Omniture and then make it free and then Commission junction in an effort to go tit-for-tat with Google Analytics & Performics. (And on and on…) It’s only a matter of time before they start purchasing companies like Axiom Data Corporation and then the major web hosting facilities.

Anyway… The part that makes me nervous is the consolidation of power into only two companies. I don’t want to post a long-winded rant about this so I’ll just stop right here.

But yeah, the words do have a hollow ring to them.

Microsoft does not grok the Internet and never has.

Google has nothing to fear.

Maybe this is the first push from Google to have access to their applications (not just email) included by default on many PCs just as trial versions of M$ products are included.