Microsoft unveils MSN 8 perks. The software giant is announcing hardware discounts and additional services for MSN 8 broadband subscribers buying the company's networking products. [CNET News.com]
Never forget what you can do wtih $42B in cash.
First they made it official that MSN 8 was going to have features only available to PAYING customers [do I hear My .Net services?] Now they're admiting that maybe, just maybe - if you're one of our paying customers, we might just give you a wireless hub or router - as part of the deal.
Not only can Microsoft place bets on every videogame, broadband, collaborative, groupware, Home LAN, Interactive TV, wireless, object-oriented, 3D and enterprise kind of software there is - but they can subsidize hardware costs and market the same boxes that everyone else does - and still get 10% of the market in the next year, and 20% by the end of the second.
Now do you wonder why they choose to build those goofy networking boxes? 'Cause they're gonna give them away to MSN subscribers!
Remember AOL Anywhere? Well guess who's got a deal with Verizon - not only for DSL service, but all kinds of mobiles services? And guiess who else they have deals with in the telco space?
Think your PS2 is the shit? Well guess who's wiling to spend $5B - $10B - it doesn't matter - once they unleash their embrace and extend model at you - you're gone. Paying videogame developers and thwarting hackers is just the beginning.
Wonder which telco or satelite provider is gonna win? Microsoft has deals with both of them.
Ever wonder why a convicted monopolist isn't being fined - at least $10B? $20B? I say any proceeds garnered from illegal activities - should be taken away. They do that to drug dealers.....
