Microsoft merger speculation boosts Adobe

By Shane Richmond, Head of Technology (Editorial)
Published: 1:32PM BST 08 Oct 2010

The New York Times said that Ballmer and Narayen met for an hour and that the main topic of conversation was how Microsoft and Adobe could challenge Apple in the smartphone market. Apple’s iPhones do not support Adobe's Flash software, which provides video and other interactive functions for many websites.

The New York Times also said that Microsoft had considered a partnership with Adobe a few years ago but feared that it would fall foul of monopoly legislation. Since then, however, Google and Apple have grown in stature in the technology market so a partnership between Microsoft and Adobe might win approval.

Neither Adobe nor Microsoft denied that the meeting had taken place but neither company would comment on the discussions.