Microsoft News Tracker

Microsoft today announced the acquisition of Danger Inc. a provider of consumer value-add software for cell phones:

Microsoft Corp. today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Danger Inc., the company responsible for the software and services powering many popular consumer handsets. The acquisition will align Danger’s nearly 10 years of expertise in the mobile consumer space with Microsoft’s vision to provide innovative and compelling mobile experiences to a growing base of customers.
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The Palo Alto, Calif.-based company provides services that allow people to keep in touch, stay organized and keep informed while on the go through real-time mobile messaging, social networking services and other applications ― all blended together on a single phone that is intuitive and customizable.
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Through focused efforts Danger has successfully delivered a software and services platform to the mobile mass market. Applications on Danger-powered handsets include HTML Web browsing, instant messaging, games, multimedia, social networking, Web e-mail and personal information management applications.

No terms were announced.

Update: Om Malik reports a rumor that Microsoft paid US $500 million and offers a rationale for this largesse.

Based on the number of pixels devoted to the Microsoft bid for Yahoo since it was announced, it seems to be affecting most observers like a train wreck: horrifying to watch, but no one can look away. My own reaction is considerably more sanguine, believing the whole idea the result of typical large company myopia and executive hubris that plays more like a soap opera.

We have wealthy mogul Steve Ballmer so intent on enhancing his inheritance that he is willing to mortgage his fortune for a chimera by an expensive wooing of the weak and unwilling Yahoo who in today’s episode is expected to formally reject his unwelcome advances while sneaking out to meet with AOL at the local motel. Heady stuff, if you like the genre.

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