In one corner, the world's top software company with a $31 billion cash horde and a lock on 90 percent of personal computers. In the other corner, an Internet and media titan with a 30 million-strong base of Web subscribers and a deep library of music, movie and news.
The stakes are big-time: both sides hope to dominate the next wave of Internet services that will tie instant messaging, music, e-commerce and other features into a seamless offering.
The two companies have already taken the first shots at each other and analysts say the fight is only just starting.
``I predict that we are going to see all-out war for several years before we
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