[Am-info] Best Buy drops Mac titles?

[Simon Cooke]

From: "Steve Cohen" <stevecoh@mcs.com>
> The url you cite does not show this story.  It evidently comes from an
> earlier date.  It's pretty interesting, though; you'd think the DOJ
> would find it so.  When did this story break?

It broke on the 16th of December last year... this is from the Best Buy site
(under: Company Info/Company News or something like that). The URL is long
and unwieldy, so I'll just give you the BestBuy one: http://www.bestbuy.com

Interestingly, it looks like MS Corporate PR. wrote the Press Release, going
off the location.

BTW: Following this one is one from MS PR. Looks identical to me, but I can
provide the URL for that one :)

-=-=-=-=-=-

Best Buy & Microsoft Agree to Form Comprehensive Strategic Alliance

Nation's Largest Home PC Retailer and Worldwide Software Leader to Join
Forces
REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 16, 1999 -- Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) and
Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) today announced their plans for a
comprehensive strategic alliance that encompasses broadband, narrowband,
in-store and online efforts. The parties signed a letter of intent that
provides for significant joint marketing in Best Buy's retail stores, online
and through print/broadcast vehicles, profit sharing, the promotion of
BestBuy.com to the 40 million users throughout Microsoft's properties, and
technology assistance.

Under this alliance, MSN(TM) Internet access and Microsoft's full range of
connectivity solutions will be demonstrated and sold at the more than 350
Best Buy stores in the U.S. and through BestBuy.com. In addition, Microsoft
plans to invest $200 million in Best Buy common stock.

"This alliance positions Best Buy as the preferred click and mortar provider
of entertainment and technology products and services to US consumers," said
Best Buy Chairman & CEO Richard M. Schulze. "Best Buy annually serves over
200 million customers and sells more than 12.5 million connected devices. A
deciding factor in forming this alliance is Microsoft's 'Everyday Web'
vision, making the web as prevalent as the telephone and even more useful in
our customers' daily lives. Together, we create a strong team fostering our
mission of improving people's lives by making technology affordable and easy
to use."

The alliance will combine two of the most recognized consumer brands and
link the worldwide leader in software for personal and business computing
with the nation's largest digital technology retailer. The companies will
utilize their complementary sales and distribution channels to co-market
their products and services. The alliance will also affirm broader efforts
by Microsoft to expand distribution channels to grow subscribers.

Bill Gates, chairman & CEO of Microsoft, stated that, "At Microsoft, we're
designing products and services that empower our customers through great
software -- any time, any place and on any device. Best Buy's vision as the
provider of products and services at the intersection of technology and life
fits extremely well with our 'Everyday Web' strategy. As the largest
retailer of PCs to the home user, their ability to sign up more than half a
million subscribers in five months through in-store instant rebates
illustrates the power of the Best Buy brand."

As part of the alliance, Best Buy and BestBuy.com will receive prominent and
preferred placement across Microsoft properties, including MSNBC, the
Expedia.com(TM) travel service, Hotmail(TM) Web-based e-mail service, WebTV
Network(TM), and the newly launched MSN eShop online shopping service. As a
major advertiser on the MSN network of Internet services, BestBuy.com will
reach a broad Internet audience. Microsoft's strength in audio and video
streaming technology will enhance the Best Buy customer experience online.

With this alliance, Microsoft and Best Buy will be well positioned to
provide the tools to help millions of consumers get connected and get the
most out of the Internet to make the "Everyday Web" a reality.

Statements made in this news release, other than those concerning historical
financial information, should be considered forward looking and subject to
various risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are based
on the respective managements' beliefs and assumptions regarding information
currently available, and are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Each company's
actual results could differ materially from those expressed in the
forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause results to vary
include, among others, those identified in the respective companies' filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Neither company has any
obligation to publicly update or revise any of the forward-looking
statements that may be in this news release.

About Best Buy

Best Buy is the nation's largest volume retailer of consumer electronics,
computers, entertainment software and appliances. The company operates 354
stores in 37 states and retails CDs, DVD movies and Best Buy Gift Cards
online at www.BestBuy.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal
and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and
services designed to empower people through great software any time, any
place and on any device.

NOTE: Microsoft, MSN, Hotmail and Web TV Network are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or
other countries. Expedia and Expedia.com are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of Expedia Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other product
and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

NOTE TO EDITORS: If you are interested in viewing additional information on
Best Buy, please visit the Best Buy website at http://www.bestbuy.com. If
you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please
visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on
Microsoft's corporate information pages.

CONTACT: Colleen Lacter of Waggener Edstrom, 503-443-7000, or
colleenl@wagged.com, for Microsoft Corp.; or Laurie Bauer, 612-947-2450, or
laurie.bauer@bestbuy.com, or Susan Hoff, 888-661-3787, both of Best Buy Co.,
Inc.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1999/Dec99/AlliancePr.asp

Best Buy & Microsoft Agree to Form Comprehensive Strategic Alliance
Nation's Largest Digital Technology Retailer and Worldwide Software Leader
to Join Forces
REDMOND, Wash. - Dec. 16, 1999 - Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) and
Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) today announced their plans for a
comprehensive strategic alliance that encompasses broadband, narrowband,
in-store and online efforts. The parties signed a letter of intent that
provides for significant joint marketing in Best Buy's retail stores, online
and through print/broadcast vehicles, profit sharing, the promotion of
BestBuy.com to the 40 million users throughout Microsoft's properties, and
technology assistance.

Under this alliance, MSNT Internet access and Microsoft's full range of
connectivity solutions will be demonstrated and sold at the more than 350
Best Buy stores in the U.S. and through BestBuy.com. In addition, Microsoft
plans to invest $200 million in Best Buy common stock.

"This alliance positions Best Buy as the preferred click and mortar provider
of entertainment and technology products and services to US consumers," said
Best Buy Chairman & CEO Richard M. Schulze. "Best Buy annually serves over
200 million customers and sells more than 12.5 million connected devices. A
deciding factor in forming this alliance is Microsoft's 'Everday Web'
vision, making the web as prevalent as the telephone and even more useful in
our customers' daily lives. Together, we create a strong team fostering our
mission of improving people's lives by making technology affordable and easy
to use."

The alliance will combine two of the most recognized consumer brands and
link the worldwide leader in software for personal and business computing
with the nation's largest digital technology retailer. The companies will
utilize their complementary sales and distribution channels to co-market
their products and services. The alliance will also affirm broader efforts
by Microsoft to expand distribution channels to grow subscribers.

Bill Gates, chairman & CEO of Microsoft, stated that "At Microsoft, we're
designing products and services that empower our customers through great
software - any time, any place and on any device. Best Buy's vision as the
provider of products and services at the intersection of technology and life
fits extremely well with our 'Everyday Web' strategy. As the largest
retailer of PCs to the home user, their ability to sign up more than half a
million subscribers in five months through in-store instant rebates
illustrates the power of the Best Buy brand."

As part of the alliance, Best Buy and BestBuy.com will receive prominent and
preferred placement across Microsoft properties, including MSNBC, the
Expedia.comT travel service, HotmailT Web-based e-mail service, WebTV
Network T, and the newly launched MSN eShop online shopping service. As a
major advertiser on the MSN network of Internet services, BestBuy.com will
reach a broad Internet audience. Microsoft's strength in audio and video
streaming technology will enhance the Best Buy customer experience online.

With this alliance, Microsoft and Best Buy will be well positioned to
provide the tools to help millions of consumers get connected and get the
most out of the Internet to make the 'Everyday Web' a reality.

Statements made in this news release, other than those concerning historical
financial information, should be considered forward looking and subject to
various risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are based
on the respective managements' beliefs and assumptions regarding information
currently available, and are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Each company's
actual results could differ materially from those expressed in the
forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause results to vary
include, among others, those identified in the respective companys' filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Neither company has any
obligation to publicly update or revise any of the forward-looking
statements that may be in this news release.

About Best Buy

Best Buy is the nation's largest volume retailer of consumer electronics,
computers, entertainment software and appliances. The company operates 354
stores in 37 states and retails CDs, DVD movies and Best Buy Gift Cards
online at www.BestBuy.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal
and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and
services designed to empower people through great software any time, any
place and on any device.

Microsoft, MSN, Hotmail and Web TV Network are either registered trademarks
or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other
countries.

Expedia and Expedia.com are either registered trademarks or trademarks of
Expedia Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective
owners.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on
Best Buy, please visit the Best Buy website at http://www.bestbuy.com/. If
you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please
visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on
Microsoft's corporate information pages.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-



Simon
--
Clairvoyeurism - the supernatural ability to predict what someone will look
like naked.