ARI SHAPIRO, host: NPR's business news starts with Microsoft and Google going head to head.</s>ARI SHAPIRO, host: It's the latest battle between two Internet giants. Microsoft and Google are vying to become the default Web browser for Verizon Wireless. That means when Verizon mobile customers search the Web on their handsets, the first browser to pop up would be Microsoft's of Google's. Prominence is key when it comes to the Web.</s>ARI SHAPIRO, host: Verizon has yet to make a decision, but The Wall Street Journal reports that Microsoft is closer to winning the deal. It's apparently offering more money to Verizon, higher guaranteed payments in addition to a share of ad revenues. At the moment, only a few Americans browse the Web on their mobile phones, but the numbers are expected to grow. And Internet companies see this as a source of future profits.
Microsoft and Google are vying to become the default Web browser for Verizon Wireless handsets. Prominence is key when it comes to the Web. Verizon has yet to make a decision, but The Wall Street Journal reports that Microsoft is closer to winning the deal.