With Google possibly having to let go of its Chrome browser, other companies have expressed interest acquiring it for themselves. One example is OpenAI, though it looks like another company expressing interest is fellow internet search company Yahoo. In addition to the potential acquisition, it is also looking to develop its own browser.
The Verge reports that Yahoo Search general manager Brian Provost testified that the company has been “actively internally developing a prototype of a browser” since “last summer”. The idea is that owning an running a web browser is an important part of growing a search engine, with 60% of search queries being done directly from the address bar of a browser.
That being said, Provost also says that the process of making its own browser will take six to nine months, and buying another browser straight up will be a lot faster. It’s not only Google’s Chrome that Yahoo was looking to buy either, as the report notes that Yahoo is in ongoing discussions with other companies about buying a browser.
Provost didn’t share specific names as to which other browsers Yahoo was in acquisition talks with, though likely none of them has the market share and reach that Chrome already has. The deal may set the company back “tens of billions of dollars”, but the internet search company will likely be able to secure funding with the help of owner Apollo Global Management. It’s worth noting though that Apollo also owns NetScape, but the report cites Provost as saying that he wouldn’t consider it an active browser.
(Source: The Verge)
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