By Daisuke Wakabayashi
LAS VEGAS (Reuters) -
Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) Chief
Executive Steve Ballmer pledged on Thursday the company would
gain share against Google Inc (GOOG.O) in online advertising
and Web searching, even if it's his "last breath" at the
company.
Speaking at Microsoft's MIX08 online technology conference
in Las Vegas, Ballmer reiterated the justifications for
its$41.2 billion unsolicited offer for Yahoo Inc (YHOO.O),
saying the deal would accelerate its efforts to build a
competitor to Google.
"So it may be my last breath at Microsoft, but we're going
to be there, working away, building share," said Ballmer during
a bantering question-and-answer session with Guy Kawasaki, a
venture capitalist and one of the first employees at Apple Inc
(AAPL.O).
"In online, yeah, it's Google, Google, Google, and we're in
the game. We're just the little engine that could," joked
Ballmer, whose company is the world's largest software maker.
In the wide-ranging chat with Kawasaki, Ballmer addressed
criticism about Windows Vista, launched a few subtle jabs at
Apple, and even re-enacted an infamous dance that earned him
Web video fame and earned him the unflattering nickname of
"Monkey Boy" in some Internet circles.
He didn't, however, have much to say about the company's
offer for Yahoo. Microsoft has proposed buying Yahoo for $31 a
share in cash and stock. Yahoo's board has rejected the bid,
saying it undervalued the company.
"We've made an offer, and it's out there, baby," said
Ballmer. The deal was originally worth $44.6 billion, but
Microsoft's stock slide has pushed down its value.
The Microsoft CEO said if a deal should go through, the two
companies will look to reduce overlapping areas.
"We shouldn't have two of everything. It won't make sense
to have two search services, two advertising services, two mail
services, and we will have to sort some of that through," said
Ballmer.
Kawasaki did not hesitate to bring up past embarrassing
moments for Ballmer, including references in an lawsuit that
claimed Ballmer threw a chair at a former employee who said he
was leaving Microsoft for Google.
"Don't pick up a chair and throw it at me," Kawasaki said
with a laugh. "Don't go monkey on me either."
At one point, Kawasaki asked Ballmer if he viewed Apple
like a Chihuahua that Microsoft kicks off its leg from time to
time. Ballmer proceeded to yelp like a dog before praising
Apple.
Later, in response to Ballmer's statement that Apple
"punted" in Web services, Kawasaki, known for his ardent
support of Apple products, said Apple may argue that Microsoft
has punted in operating systems, a reference to some consumer
dissatisfaction with the new Windows Vista operating system.
"They'd be wrong. Every day, statistically they'd be wrong.
Last time I checked, there were a lot of governments that think
we have a very high market share," said Ballmer, who joked
earlier that Kawasaki's super-thin Apple MacBook Air lacked
half the features of a PC.
(Reporting by Daisuke Wakabayashi, editing by Tim
Dobbyn/Jeffrey Benkoe)
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