Microsoft's rumoured interest in facebook has taken a turn, or has it? Ballmer was quoted yesterday as saying "I think these things [social networks] are going to have some legs, and yet there's a faddishness, a faddish nature about anything that basically appeals to younger people"
If the rumour is true that Microsoft is looking at investing $500 million for 5% of facebook then this might just be a publicity stunt to play down the value of facebook, and their rumoured looming investment in the company. As we know, Microsoft already has a vested interest in facebook as they are the sole provider of ads to facebook. It can not be that much of a fad if there are already hundred million dollar ad contracts in place.
