A good commentary on Computerworld does a much better job than can I on why Microsoft (with or without Yahoo!) will lose to Google in the long haul.
…. The point here is that Google provides the maximum service to its users with the minimum of intrusive monetization of the relationship. Microsoft provides the minimum of service with the maximum of intrusive monetization. Which one would any rational person choose?
I’m complaining about the same problems with MS Hotmail.