There were a lot of rumors going into 2008 that a possibly hot IPO candidate could be MySQL. But if you ask just about anyone running a startup, an acquisition is now more attractive than an IPO. So with that notion in place and VC’s eager to cash in, MySQL decided a sale would be better and Sun swooped in with their billion bucks and acquired the single biggest threat to Oracle out there, if for no other reason that it’s cheaper and often more practical. MySQL is used extensively in open-source circles and is the engine that runs practically all of the internet’s blogging platforms.

Sun has been a consistent presence in the open-source movement, so I am excited that if MySQL had to be acquired, it was by Sun. But in keeping realism afloat, it’s hard to ignore Sun’s less than stellar track record with their acquisitions. Here is a brutal list.

The surprising thing to me is that Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft did not push this price even higher. I don’t know if they knew MySQL was up for bid, but I have to believe that these companies would have certainly drove up that price.

I’m also perplexed that Oracle didn’t buy MySQL simple to absorb what has been their biggest nuisance. Strange also is the cushy relationship Oracle and Sun have had over the years. Furthermore, how can Sun, finally back on the right track perhaps with a few straight profitable quarters, spend a billions bucks on a company that only generates about $60 million a year and is operating outside of their means?

This could prove to be the biggest flop deal of 2008, or it could be the year’s highlight tech story. It truly can go either way. We could see MySQL die under Sun, and probably Sun along with it. Or see a dramatic JAVA comeback with MySQL user growth across the web.

One thing is for sure…. Lawrence Joseph Ellison is watching very, very closely.

**BREAKING NEWS**
Jobs to speak in black shirt and jeans!!! ZOMG!!!

The keynote address from Apple Inc CEO Steve Jobs is annually the highlight of the Macworld expo. Last year Jobs unveiled the iPhone, the immediate beacon in the sluggish mobile phone industry. Before Jobs carriers were able to pick and choose their phones to carry because people need the carrier, not the phone. As Verizon may learn, Jobs may have changed that rule too.

With the iPhone’s popularity and the stock’s 130% return in 2007, it became clear that consumers now value a phone more importantly. As VZW will soon learn when Danny makes his jump to the iPhone in about another month.

Today Jobs came out and stated he had four things to talk about. His first matter of business was the announcement of a new product named Time Capsule. Time Capsule theoretically eliminates the need to constantly backup files. Jobs then proceeded to move into iPhone for topic two, starting off by listing some statistics, most impressively, that iPhone has 4 million sales in just about 200 days. Yeah…scary. Anyway, he announced the anticipated sdk launch in February and more immediately a software update. The update greatly improves the Maps application with a lot of useful little updates. There is also the capability to now SMS more than one phone and up to 9 customizable home screens on the awesome GUI. I can’t wait for mine. Jobs then went on to announce that the iPod Touch is going to get the 5 applications it’s been missing…Mail, Stocks, Notes, Maps and Weather. While not free, it’s a modest $20 that should be a requirement for any touch owner.

The third thing Jobs wants to announce is iTunes changes. 20 million songs. 125 million tv shows. 7 milion movies iTunes Movie Rentals. Touchstone, Miramax, MGM, Lionsgate, Newline, Fox, WB, Disney, Paramount, Universal, and Sony were all announced to be on board. Movies will now be available (30 days after their DVD release date) for purchase or rental. Rental will expire in 30 days or within 24 hours of movie completion. They can of course be synced with the iPhone and iPod.

Jobs moved forward to announce Apple TV 2.0, admitting that last year’s launch was not perfect. I think it’ll be an improvement but it still appears a long way away from the wireless entertainment automation that both Apple and Microsoft are putting much focus on.

And last but not least Jobs came out and unveiled the new Apple notebook series, Macbook Air. The Air line immediately becomes the thinnest notebook computer on the market and the industry standard in mobile wireless computing. Weighing in at only 3 lbs and goes from 0.16″ to 0.76″ – thickest part of it is thinner than the thinnest part of Sony’s competing notebook. The aluminum casing has magnetic latch and packs a beautiful 13.3″ widescreen display with a full keyboard amplified with LED backlighting. iSight is also built in. The touch pad incorporates some iPhone technology by allowing users to pinch to zoom and swipe to easily scan through files. It comes with a solid base of components including 2 GB of memory and a Intel Dual Core processor. Packages start at $1799 for the new Apple baby.

Jobs’ keynote was mysterious, exciting, dramatic, and plain fun. Like usual.
But you can’t introduce the iPhone every year!

–Blurb blogging is mi favorito

–New Hampshire was supposed to be the primary where it became clear Sen. Obama would be the Democratic nominee in 2008. Instead Sen. Clinton pulled off a very impressive win that catapulted her back into a legitimate race moving forward.

–But therein lies the rub, now that Gov. Richardson has decided to drop out, this is only a three person race. When Edwards was able to take 2nd in Iowa over Clinton, he shifted his campaign’s focus to the notion that it was now a ‘two-man race’ between himself and Barack. They obviously are aligned as they went after Sen. Clinton in the NH debates, so instead of Edwards plugging on with just about no chance to win, he should contact Obama’s folks and tell them he’s prepared to drop out if Obama makes him his running mate on the Democratic ticket. It would give Barack a surge, because Edwards is taking away his votes, not Clinton’s, and all but eliminate Clinton from contention.

–Another reason why I think Obama is still the heavy favorite….he won by over 10% in Iowa, and only lost by 2% in NH. Not to mention his fund raising has continued to come streaming in, whereas Clinton is in dangerous financial waters.

–And yet another reason, 2004 Nominee John Kerry has formally announced his support for Barack. That’s gotta sting.

–On the Elephant side, we saw McCain win in NH as expected, because NH is such a liberal state, and Johnny Boy is about as left as a Republican can be. More important to take from this is that Romney is in trouble, despite his two 2nd place finishes thus far. He takes residence in New Hampshire and outspent his opponents by an insane amount. I think we have to establish Huckabee as the frontrunner in this field just because of his religious allegiance. The Republican Party has essentially just became a de facto Christian right in the past ten years. If Huckabee is the only ‘Christian’ candidate he’ll win, it’s that simple.

–He also asked Stephen Colbert last night to be his running mate because of Colbert’s foreign policy experience….trips to Sandals, Jamacia. Colbert enthusiastically said he’d be on board.

–President Bush is in Israel right now for the first time in his Presidency. Read that again. It completely reflects his miserable reign as Commander in Chief. Whereas Barack Obama took heat from some of his opponents and the media for saying he’d be open to discussions with any foreign nation his first day in office. What is so wrong with that?!? A President who will actually communicate with foreign governments and listen to the United Nations…? Another reason Barack is the face of change this country needs.

–I’ll try to get off politics a little with the rumors that USC Head Coach is actively considering leaving to take the Head Coaching job and complete personnel discretion with the Atlanta Falcons. This is when the CEO of Common Sense should start cold calling and telling you to open your eyes Mr. Carroll. You have the single best job in all of football, professional or collegiate. You are located in arguably the most fertile area of high school football talent in the country and only have to compete with Cal and UCLA. You are an absolute God at that university who can command the highest pay of any collegiate coach in the nation. Your returning team is probably the most talented in all the land. And oh yeah, remember those two little stints of Head Coaching in the NFL? How’d that work out dumbass? I know the extra $4 million a year and the chance to rebuild a terrible franchise are appealing…but please don’t be an idiot. You’ll be back in the collegiate ranks in a much worse situation than you’re in now within five years. I love how I address you personally like you read this.

–If you run an internet site that promises on the front page a 100% failproof money-making system via eBay, Marketing, or whatever…do everyone a favor and take it down to regain any dignity you have left or just move out of the country. If you really choose to manipulate idiots to give you money for an eBook you downloaded on Limewire, then you should take a good look in the mirror and slap yourself in the face, because you are complete trash. Get a real job, and make it something worthwhile. You’re not rich, you can’t even afford to extend your domain more than a year in advance.

–Bluray disk supporters will be cheering in the weeks ahead as it looks like the next generation of disk format war will see Bluray come out on top over what will be a defunct HD-DVD format. Universal has announced they’ll pull the plug on HD-DVD and Microsoft released a statement hinting that the next 360 update will likely support Bluray disks, like their Playstation3 counterpart.

–Chalk up another former American Idol winner to lose their record contract. After Ruben Studdard was dropped last year, Taylor Hicks now finds himself out of a contract. I mean I am all for the silver hair (Read my love for Anderson Cooper), but not everyone can be Kelly Clarkson ya know? Enjoy Celebrity Apprentice II mate.

–Speaking of Celebrity Apprentice, I never watched the Apprentice before (I think there’s been multiple seasons right?) but I caught the celebrity edition on CNBC late one night and loved it. I might have to make this a consistent thing.