Rumor: Microsoft To Buy Adobe
In a move that would give Microsoft a better position in the mobile phone market, the company is rumored to be in talks with Adobe on a possible merger of the two companies, according to a New York Times report.
The speculation stems from a meeting held this week by Steve Ballmer and Adobe's chief executive, Shantanu Narayen. The main focus of the talks was to discuss how to counter Apple's dominance in the mobile market. And one solution could be the possible acquisition of Adobe by Microsoft.
The rumor is also given merit, due to the fact that Microsoft is on the heels of launching its next offering into the mobile phone market -- Windows Phone 7. This buyout would give Microsoft the option to ditch its Web software plug-in, Silverlight, in favor of Adobe's Flash plug-in.
While Microsoft isn't commenting on the rumors, Holly Campbell, senior director of Adobe's corporate communications, in an e-mail to The New York Times, didn't deny that the two companies had been meeting: "Adobe and Microsoft share millions of customers around the world and the CEOs of the two companies do meet from time to time," she said. "However, we do not publicly comment on the timing or topics of their private meetings."