Microsoft, Yahoo!, and Google: Let the war games continue

My point in bringing up this metaphor is simple. I believe that a union between Microsoft and Yahoo! is a timely and appropriate thing. At this point in the game, they really do need each other. They have strengths that are diverse yet compatible. Personally I couldn't have thought of a better move for Microsoft to make at this time. I believe that is why Microsoft came out with such a blockbuster offer for Yahoo!. This isn't the kind of thing you want to announce only to let it get bandied about before anything really happens. Strike at dawn in full force and don't let up until you have what you came for.

How does Google fit into the Microsoft-Yahoo! buyout scenario? Honestly folks, it really doesn't. I'd bet my next paycheck that the reaction at Google to Microsoft's offer for Yahoo! was expressed with excitement similar to when the mail carrier arrives. Google plots its own course, pretty much irrespective of what the "competition" is doing. That's why it's so successful. That's how Google does things.

Be ready for Google to take another unexpected turn, stepping into something you never would have thought it might do. I still say it's getting ready to enter into government contracts for information handling services. There also are whispers swirling around regarding Google and the provision of original Internet content. I wouldn't yet call them rumors; it's just something I think I heard.

I'll sum things up with one more reference to my naval battle metaphor: Never look for Google to launch counter-measures in reaction to a perceived attack. It has been my observation that, without question, Google always goes straight to launching its own torpedoes.