When Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced the new direction of the company's strategy against Google today, he left many analysts with their heads shaking. First, he said that any deal with Yahoo is done (er, we've heard that one before). But what was more odd about Ballmer's comments is that he completely back-pedaled on things he'd said before, specifically that acquiring Yahoo was a critical step in Microsoft seriously tackling Google. Today he said that Microsoft would have "more flexibility" to go after Google without Yahoo.

So which is it?

Sure adjusting your businesses strategy when something isn't working is naturally the right step. And now that Yahoo is out of the picture, what alternative does Microsoft have but to move forward without them? But despite that, something about Ballmer's announcement sounded a little like sour grapes over the Yahoo deal going south. What do you think?

(Don't care about Yahoo, Google, or Microsoft? Then check out the video below. This post is actually just an excuse to put up this clip of Ballmer:)