Too bad. While Google has a rep for dropping product lines (have they ever killed a product-via-acquisition of significant size, vs. things like Reader/Buzz?), Twitter seems like it could easily add to Google's core data and revenue work, even without Google doing much additional work. I'm assuming Google's current access to the Twitter firehose is already being used or at least studied for a SERP signal. Twitter's social network provides additional ways for Google to facet and classify data. It also seems possible that Google could improve advertising on Twitter enough so that it's not just a money pit.
I don't know enough about Salesforce beyond a few of its products to imagine scenarios where Twitter has comparably low-friction integrations. Unless Disney makes a concerted effort to give Twitter autonomy...can't see how they could leverage it into something that's not just a loss-leader for entertainment. Maybe additional branding opportunities for ESPN and athletes, as well as another way to broadcast events?
edit: Any reason why Amazon isn't in the mix? Other than the obvious reason that they haven't made noise about it? Would an acquisition of Twitter's size be too unwieldy for Amazon?
I don't know enough about Salesforce beyond a few of its products to imagine scenarios where Twitter has comparably low-friction integrations. Unless Disney makes a concerted effort to give Twitter autonomy...can't see how they could leverage it into something that's not just a loss-leader for entertainment. Maybe additional branding opportunities for ESPN and athletes, as well as another way to broadcast events?
edit: Any reason why Amazon isn't in the mix? Other than the obvious reason that they haven't made noise about it? Would an acquisition of Twitter's size be too unwieldy for Amazon?