Microsoft buys Farecast

Microsoft, the world's largest software company, acquired travel Web site Farecast, gaining technology that predicts whether air fares will rise or fall. Farecast Chief Executive Officer Hugh Crean announced the purchase Thursday on the company's blog. He didn't disclose a price or other terms. Microsoft added the Seattle-based company's prediction and planning services to its MSN Travel Web site in July. Microsoft is making acquisitions to attract more Web users and boost online ad revenue. Microsoft is making acquisitions to attract more Web users and boost online ad revenue. After buying AQuantive for $6 billion last year, Microsoft is now trying to acquire Yahoo. The moves are an effort to catch up with Google in the $40.9 billion global online ad market. "We look forward to working closely with the Farecast team to incorporate and apply its technology in new and interesting ways," Whitney Burk, a spokeswoman for Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft, said in an e-mailed statement. She declined to comment further.

http://www.mercurynews.com/businessheadlines/ci_8982732

How are you supposed to predict air fares.....IF ALL FUCKING FLIGHTS ARE CANCELLED BECAUSE OF BANKRUPTCY. THEY SHOULD GET TECHNOLOGY TO SEE HOW THE PRICES OF STOCKS FOR THESE AIRLINES ARE GOING TO NOSEDIVE OUT OF CONTROL