Summary: Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) fails to catch on and Yahoo! flees Microsoft

IN OUR last post about the demise of Microsoft on the Web, we commented on the release of IE8 and negotiations with Yahoo! In both cases, things do not work out particularly well, so this is just a quick update to say that, first of all, IE8 is not well received.

Aodhan Cullen, StatCounter founder and CEO, described the users’ reaction to the launch of IE8 as “underwhelming,” according to Channel Web.

In addition -- and perhaps more encouragingly -- Yahoo seems to be slipping through Microsoft's fingers.

Yahoo (YHOO) CEO Carol Bartz is more focused on revving up the company’s products than on cutting a search outsourcing deal with Microsoft (MSFT), according to Thomas Weisel analyst Christa Quarles.

This is also covered here and here, with other reports suggesting that Yahoo is moving on for the time being. Microsoft can't be particularly excited about this because it still wants a deal that enables it to suck Yahoo's remaining blood supply (and market share).

Microsoft's real target is known to everyone. ⬆

"Every time you use Google, you're using a machine running the Linux kernel."

--Chris DiBona, Google

"I've got my kids brainwashed: You don't use Google, and you don't use an iPod."

--Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO (on CNN)

"I'm going to f---ing kill Google."

--Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO (quote from Sydney Morning Herald)

"Google's not a real company. It's a house of cards."

--Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO (as quoted by court transcripts)