November 11, 2008 by Matt Thomas
As Yahoo crumbles before our eyes, it would appear that closest competitor, Microsoft is going from strength to strength. The third largest search engine provider in the world seems to have struck a deal with old enemies, Sun Microsystems to, they hope, drastically increase their share of the search market.
As per the terms of the deal signed on Monday, US computer users who download Java software from Sun Microsystems will be asked whether they would also like to also download a toolbar, the main feature of which will be, a Microsoft Live Search box.
Java software is an essential requirement for numerous users as it is required to even view many websites. Some estimates claim that Java software is on 800 million desktops, that’s nine out of ten PCs with internet connections. Unsurprisingly the software is downloaded millions times each week, giving Microsoft a foot in the door with a vast new swathe of internet users.
Sun has had similar deals with Yahoo and Google in the past but would not disclose the financial details of this time. Knowing Microsoft’s wealth and willingness to splash their cash, the deal is thought to have been expensive though, according to Microsoft, this distribution deal is only part of a raft of similar distribution programmes designed to catch up to Google.
It’s a lofty goal, but if anyone can do it…
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