Dell, HP to prop up Microsoft search |
Follow the ups and downs of a new Seattle startup in a series of behind-the-scenes posts by its founders.
Today On Techflash
- Shares of drugstore.com rise after results
- Rhapsody going independent
- Microsoft unimpressed with Google Buzz
- WGA 'spyware' suit vs. Microsoft dropped
- Paul Allen's Brangelina moment
- LiquidPlanner hire, Paul Allen and more
- Tell us your sales horror stories
- Calbucci to sell Twitter list service
- A color screen for the next Kindle?
- Intelius co-founder released
Tech Events
Mass High Tech
- Gates, Ozzie, Microsoft execs patent 'personal data mining'
- Bill Gates, startup lessons and other top stories of the month
- Bill Gates' shirt, iPad vs. Kindle and other comments of the week
- Bill Gates on The Daily Show: 'I am a very loyal Microsoft user'
- Bill Gates on Daily Show tonight, maybe this time he'll stick around
Dell, HP to prop up Microsoft search
One of Microsoft's strategies for catching up with Google became more clear today with word that the Redmond company has struck a deal with PC giant Dell to preinstall the company's Live Search toolbar on new Dell PCs. The deal also shows how Microsoft is spending some of the money it didn't end up putting toward a Yahoo acquisition.
Citing anonymous sources, ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley is reporting that Microsoft "has offered Dell sweet enough terms to entice the PC maker to replace its search-preload deal with Google with a comparable offering from Microsoft."
The report follows Microsoft's announcement in June that HP will install the Live Search toolbar and make Live Search the browser default on consumer PCs shipping in the U.S. and Canada starting in January. Microsoft also announced a toolbar deal with Lenovo last year.
These kinds of deals are considered key because many PC users don't change their default toolbars or search providers. Microsoft is currently a distant third to Google and Yahoo in Internet search, with less than 10 percent of the U.S. market.
One key question will be the geographic scope of the Dell deal -- whether it's confined to North America or worldwide. But either way, the deal gives Microsoft a key position with the two largest computer makers. Dell and HP had a combined 54 percent of the U.S. market as of the third quarter, according to IDC.
About Todd Bishop
Todd Bishop is co-founder and managing editor of TechFlash. He has covered Microsoft and the technology industry for more than five years, most recently as a daily newspaper reporter and blogger based in Seattle.
READ FULL BIOGRAPHYRecent Sponsor Posts
Seattle Repertory Theatre presents Glengarry Glen Ross Feb 5th to Feb 28th
One of the largest and most renowned regional theatres in the country, Seattle Repertory Theatre produces a mix of celebrated classics, recent Broadway hits and cutting-edge new works in two theatre spaces. Now playing David Mamet's American classic Glengarry Glen Ross through February 28. Join us for Sales Rep Industry night February 11 with the Puget Sound Business Journal. For details click here.
Join the Microsoft WebsiteSpark program and get software, support and visibility – at no upfront cost. You’ll benefit from fast and easy access to current Microsoft development tools, platform technology and server products including Visual Studio, Expression Studio, Silverlight, Windows Web Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 Web.
Seattle-based Adhost is a WebsiteSpark hosting partner providing dedicated servers with free Windows Web Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 licensing for three years to Web developers enrolled in WebsiteSpark. Servers are located in our secure data center with SAS 70 Type II certification, 24x7 technical support and 24x7 client access.
WTIA 15th Annual Industry Achievement Awards
Held on March 4th at the Showbox SODO, this casual event celebrates and recognizes some of the best emerging and established companies in the Washington Tech Industry. The evening will feature a finalist company technology showcase and a variety of coffee, chocolate, and wine samples from local companies. More than 800 attendees are expected to be present at the celebration. Public online voting for Technology Leader of Tomorrow Scholarships will open February 3rd on the WTIA site.
We congratulate the 2010 finalists and look forward to unveiling the winners on March 4th. REGISTER NOW!
From the trenches
Job Listings
- Registered Health Information Technician (Forms & Records Analyst 2)
- State of Washington Department of Corrections
- Principal SDE - Project Natal - Gameplay Engineering - 711621
- Microsoft Corporation
- Senior Web Analyst - 705536
- Microsoft Corporation
- Telecommunications Consultant (I)
- Sparling Electrical & Technology Consulting
- Senior SDET - 706910
- Microsoft Corporation
