In an attempt to slow Google's fierce roll, Microsoft made an unsolicited bid to purchase Yahoo Inc. for a cool $44.6 billion today. Gulp. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says that his company has "great respect for Yahoo, and together we can offer an increasingly exciting set of solutions for consumers, publishers and advertisers while becoming better positioned to compete in the online services market." more ›

Two big names announced this week that they're stepping down at Microsoft -- first, the most human face of the company, Robert Scoble, followed shortly by founder and icon Bill Gates. While we seriously doubt the two moves were related in any way, both moves could substantially impact the company's future. If for the worse, then big trouble at Microsoft could mean a big boon to Silicon Valley. more ›