Ballmer, speaking at Microsoft's MIX08 online technology conference in Las Vegas, did not go into details about Microsoft's $41bn bid for , but stressed its importance in helping to boost its position in the two key online markets.
Balmer said at a Q&A session: "So it may be my last breath at Microsoft, but we're going to be there, working away, building share. In online, yeah, it's Google, Google, Google, and we're in the game."
The , Google, Google comment appears to be a reference to Ballmer's legendary appearance at a developers conference where he went into overdrive to gee up the crowd.
With a little levity Ballmer said: "We're just the little engine that could…We've made an offer, and it's out there, baby."
While he offered no new details about the bid he did hint at the rationalisation that would lie ahead should Micrsoft's bid be successful: "We shouldn't have two of everything. It won't make sense to have two search services, two advertising services, two mail services, and we will have to sort some of that through."