Microsoft (MSFT 0.79%) remembers when it was on the wrong end of the "I'm a Mac" ads that practically obliterated Windows Vista as a viable operating system. Now it's the one doing the attacking.
Microsoft rolled out the latest installment of its Scroogled campaign that's been attacking Google (GOOG +0.49%) for its ad-supported shopping portal, Gmail marketing practices, and more. Now Microsoft is aiming at Google's Chromebook.
It's easy to see why Microsoft wants to belittle netbooks running Google's Chrome. Someone buying a cheap Chromebook is a person who won't be paying to be a part of Microsoft's historic platform.
Google has become Microsoft's biggest enemy, and the software giant is only going to butt heads with the search-engine leader more and more in the future. Google's push to make operating systems open and widely available has made Microsoft's efforts in PCs and mobile more difficult.
We still don't have a good read on the effectiveness of the Scroogled campaign. Google is still growing, and Microsoft isn't really going away. However, there will come a time when Google will want to fight back. That's when the real fireworks will start.
Briefly in the news
And now let's take a quick look at some of the other stories that shaped our week.
- Renren (RENN +4.06%) disappointed investors after the Chinese social-networking website operator revealed that revenue will decline 36% to 41% in the new quarter. It seems as if social networking isn't a winner everywhere.
- Another Chinese Internet company that disappointed the market was 58.com (WUBA +0.00%). In its first quarterly report since going public last month, the online classified ad company posted a softer profit than expected and warned of decelerating top-line growth.
- Apple (AAPL 0.11%) confirmed that it's acquiring motion technology specialist PrimeSense. Buying the motion-sensor company should have Apple finally making a splash in wearable computing.
