AfterDawn: News

Microsoft rumored to be purchasing AOL

Citing sources familiar with "AOL's strategy," it appears that Microsoft is ready to purchase the popular web portal, which would then be used to outsource web search to the Bing search engine.

Shares of AOL rose 1.3 percent despite a massive sell-off in the broader indexes.



AOL CEO Tim Armstrong recently noted that the company was exploring new web search deals with "more than two potential partners." AOL currently outsources its web search to Google, the clear market leader.

While those discussions are still ongoing, the conclusion could be an outright sale of the company to Microsoft, which has over $37 billion in cash on hand.

AOL is valued at about $2.3 billion.

Both companies declined comment on the matter.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 5 Jun 2010 1:25

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• 12 comments

• DXR88

  lolz they'd go good together, as they have so much in common
  

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  5.6.2010 10:35 #1

• MasterRE

  Good aol is shitty

  5.6.2010 11:06 #2

• ThePastor

  Maybe all of my family who just "have" to have their AOL portal because they know nothing else, will finally get a real email account!
  

  Unfortunately for them, all Blu-ray protections have been broken and BD rips can be found around the Internet, usually before the retail even hits shelves.

  5.6.2010 18:49 #3

• jemaric

  a waste of money

  5.6.2010 19:24 #4

• iamgq

  i agree, waste of money and the end of aol
  

  True thug Afterdawn memeber since 05! Shout out to all those old school member still in the ranks of Newbie! Represent!

  5.6.2010 22:08 #5

• bbbob

  One company owning majority of other companies = Monopoly
  Microsoft or Google owning everything on earth = Not Monopoly? How?
  

  6.6.2010 06:34 #6

• igoryok76

  I didn't even know either of these two companies was still relevant. Maybe the two could ride "into the sunset" together, like Thelma and Louise. LOL
  

  6.6.2010 10:18 #7

• blueboy09

  Originally posted by igoryok76: I didn't even know either of these two companies was still relevant. Maybe the two could ride "into the sunset" together, like Thelma and Louise. LOL That's what I was thinking. WTH? Why is even AOL still in existence if they had very little presence today. Doesn't make sense to me other than aquire more money.
  

  Life is about walking on thin ice, if you make too much drama, youll crack under pressure. - BLUEBOY

  6.6.2010 21:42 #8

• blueboy09

  Originally posted by blueboy09: Originally posted by igoryok76: I didn't even know either of these two companies was still relevant. Maybe the two could ride "into the sunset" together, like Thelma and Louise. LOL That's what I was thinking. WTH? Why is even AOL still in existence if they had very little presence today. Doesn't make sense to me other than aquire more money. Sorry, meant to say that Microsoft has presence and AOL doesn't. Don't believe me. Ask someone who has bought an Xbox and they'll tell you.

  6.6.2010 21:44 #9

• KillerBug

  Quote:Why is even AOL still in existence if they had very little presence today. Doesn't make sense to me other than aquire more money. While they have few customers, AOL continues to charge customers from their bank accounts after the AOL account is closed...most customers don't even notice...the ones that do can only stop the charges by closing their bank accounts, and even then there is no way to get the stolen money back. This is a very profitable business model for them.
  
  As for their search portal, it is junk...but still better than Bing.

  6.6.2010 23:52 #10

• glassd

  Originally posted by KillerBug: Quote:Why is even AOL still in existence if they had very little presence today. Doesn't make sense to me other than aquire more money. While they have few customers, AOL continues to charge customers from their bank accounts after the AOL account is closed...most customers don't even notice...the ones that do can only stop the charges by closing their bank accounts, and even then there is no way to get the stolen money back. This is a very profitable business model for them.
  
  As for their search portal, it is junk...but still better than Bing. No crap, I bought a PC from BestBuy, they tried to push AOL on me. Told them that I did not want it. One year later, i get a bill on my Credit Card for a re-up on AOL. Found the BestBuy contract that said that I requested it. Pay attention to what you sign. Word means nothing.
  

  7.6.2010 10:45 #11

• KillerBug

  Originally posted by glassd: No crap, I bought a PC from BestBuy, they tried to push AOL on me. Told them that I did not want it. One year later, i get a bill on my Credit Card for a re-up on AOL. Found the BestBuy contract that said that I requested it. Pay attention to what you sign. Word means nothing. I'll make sure not to buy any laptops there...not that I was panning to anyway.

  7.6.2010 23:11 #12