Think the software giant is Yahoo's white knight? Think again. Josh Quittner argues that Microsoft doesn't need Yahoo for domination — it needs it for survival.

full story:  http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1807655,00.html

Verizon today announced that they've started offering customers the option of paying $99.99 for unlimited domestic calling. The announcement somewhat steals the thunder from Sprint, who has been working on an unlimited calling plan of their own. The pricing isn't as hot (or as simple) as leaks had suggested. Real data access plans on top of these unlimited voice plans cost extra

http://estore.vzwshop.com/unlimited/

By any measure, Exxon Mobil’s performance last year was a blowout.
 
The company reported Friday that it beat its own record for the highest profits ever recorded by any company, with net income rising 3 percent, to $40.6 billion, thanks to surging oil prices. The company’s sales, more than $404 billion, exceeded the gross domestic product of 120 countries.
 
full story: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/02/business/02oil.html

Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community. The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71.
 
Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The grave site was piled high with flours
 
Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times he still was a crusty old man and was considered a positive roll model for millions.
 

The $4 billion acquisition of Countrywide Financial rescues the U.S.'s largest mortgage lender. BoA chief Ken Lewis calls it a "rare opportunity"
 
full story http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/jan2008/db20080111_790414.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index_top+story