WSJ: Google Tried to buy Lala before Apple came in, the two are fighting over startups

The “Wall”, as Michael Scott likes to call it, has a followup to yesterday’s piece on Apple buying Lala.  Today’s adds some more intrigue and background into the affair.  Some points they make:

• Google was in serious discussions to acquire online-music company La La Media Inc. before Apple won the deal this month for $85 million
• Apple tried to buy AdMob as a defensive measure to keep Google from learning details about its App Store.  Google ended up buying Admob
• Google is buying music services to compete with one of Apple’s main businesses.  iTunes.  The Lala purchase could also be seen as a defensive purchase
• As the recession appears to be letting up, the authors anticipate much more buying in the valley

What’s interesting here is that Apple is making purchases as defensive move.  They wanted to buy Admob and now bought Lala so that Google wouldn’t pick them up.