Microsoft is aiming to become the new king of online advertising

It is reported in Google News today that Microsoft is paying Facebook premium to get at Google.  Google managed to buy YouTube and is in the process of buying DoubleClick and we know that Microsoft wants its share of the pie in the online advertising business.  Microsoft is trying to aim for a big piece of the pie because we all know that Google is currently the king of online advertising.

Microsoft acquires minority stake in Facebook

Microsoft had it up its sleeve on how to overcome the intense rivalry over online advertising with Google and Yahoo.  Microsoft went ahead with a deal with Facebook, the social-networking business and acquired a minority stake in Facebook.  Microsoft announced that it will pay $240 million for a 1.6% stake in Facebook, a 3-year old company based in Palo Alto.

Microsoft secured U.S. rights to sell banner ads and sponsered links on Facebook in August 2006.  This new deal between Microsoft and Facebook will expand the agreement, hopefully allowing Microsoft to thrive in the online advertising business.

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Hotmail is increasing free webmail storage

To compete with GMail, Hotmail will increase free emails storage to 250MB and 2GB for paid accounts in July reported by BBC. Webmail facts gathered from BBC website. Gmail - 1GB storage, 10MB attachments Hotmail Plus - $19.95 per year, 2GB storage, 20MB attachments Hotmail free - 250MB storage, 10MB attachments Yahoo Mail Plus - £11.99, 2GB storage, 10MB attachments Yahoo Free - 100MB of storage, 10MB attachments Lycos UK Personal - £41.88 per year, 1GB storage, 50MB attachments Lycos UK - free, 10MB storage Spymac - free, 1GB storage Ask Jeeves - free, 250MB storage Ask Jeeves Excite Gold - $19.99 per year, 2GB storage Shiremail - £42 per year, 1GB storage