Microsoft looking to pull end-around on Google?

Google, which reportedly has been talking with Verizon about making its search engine the default on most Verizon phones, better close the deal soon--and get it in writing. That's because The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Microsoft is attempting to pry the deal away.

"Microsoft has gotten the mobile carrier's attention by offering a sweeter deal to put its search service and related advertising on Verizon phones. Microsoft is also offering more generous revenue sharing and a guarantee of substantially higher payments to Verizon, say people familiar with the matter."

"Google has been in discussions for months with Verizon to make its search engine the default on most Verizon phones, according to these people."

If true, this comes straight out of the same playbook Microsoft used in the 1990s to gut Netscape. During the browser wars, Netscape struck a deal with America Online, at the time the leading online service provider. But Microsoft moved in quickly and negotiated a deal in which AOL made Microsoft's Internet Explorer its default browser in 1996. In return, Microsoft offered a promotional spot for AOL on the opening screen of all Windows-based computers. This was a huge deal at the time as it put IE in front of AOL's (then) approximately 5 million users.

[gerrrg]

Well then, I guess this invalidates Ballmer's previous remarks dismissing Android. LOL!

[jaypres]

How low can MS go?

[jackdaniels08]

My mobile service provider is Verizon and like most people in the U.S. and the world I use Google Search and my next mobile phone which will be a smart phone must have Google on it. I think many people that use Verizon may switch carriers if they do not carry Google Search. I know I will. Now if Verizon is smart they will stick with Google and come to satisfactory terms of agreement because I'm sure that Verizon doesn't want to lose customers. If Verizon wants to compete with next generation phones that outdoes and outshines the competition, they need to have the best of the best and most widely used products on their smart phones.

[Maccess]

Times have changed since 1996. MS Search is the default search in Windows and Internet Explorer, but a one click patch can switch everything over to Google. From signing of the deal, I'll give it about 5 minutes before a downloadable patch to switch to the search engine of your choice is available on-line.

[aMUSICsite]

I hope that's not MS offering free software on a mobile device, were they not slagging off Google for that yesterday. Well I guess if the deal breaks down MS will be saying it was a stupid idea in a few weeks.

[hulksmashlinux]

I used to do this while playing monopoly as a kid. As soon as someone landed on a property and wanted to buy it from someone else, I would make an offer to buy it as well. I didn't want it but I knew if they paid too much for it they wouldn't have the cash to put house on it it. Google screwed Microsoft with the Yahoo deal even though Google didn't really want Yahoo, now turn about is fair play. Google will have to put up a higher bid which makes it harder to be profitable. It's how big business is played.

[jumpjetta]

I would never use a phone where I couldn't choose the search I wanted to use. Glad I can add almost any app anyone wants to write to mine.

[kamchoor]

Please stop reporting "news" that none of us can do anything about.

Thanks!

[AppleSuxLeo]

Live Search is great on location aware devices.

[cam1850]

I second that, it speech recognitions software works pretty damn good!