Microsoft-Yahoo pace slows to a crawl
Just how slowly is the Microsoft-Yahoo parade moving?
Well, Infoworld decided the notion that the two sides had reached a deal was implausible enough to make for a decent April Fools' Joke.
In the fake story, the two sides reached a deal at $33 a share, slightly above the $31-per-share offer that Microsoft made exactly two months ago.
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported that Microsoft currently has no plans to raise its bid for Yahoo. Basically, Microsoft is content to bide its time given the weakening U.S. economy.
One question often raised by the Microsoft camp is: where would Yahoo's stock be right now if Microsoft hadn't made its bid in February? It's an interesting question, but somewhat academic. Microsoft could, of course, lower its bid or withdraw it entirely if it truly wanted an answer, but so far Microsoft has seemed less than eager to go that far.
Personally, I'm headed off to Latin America for two weeks to write about computing efforts in the developing world, so I suggest both sides stick to their guns (at least until mid-April).
Then they should free to just get on with it.
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina.
