Microsoft was purchasing Powerset for $100 million dollars. This price point doesn't come as too much of a surprise since Microsoft has proven that they not afraid for dramatically overpaying for technology.
Google has created seeming ubiquity in the online search industry it seems impossible that someone would be able to offer a TRUE alternative. And no, please don't count Microsoft's Live Search as an alternative to Google, Live Cash is an alternative to Ebates.com. However there are a few ...