The figures below show how much Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Yahoo have spent on tech acquisitions – in billions of dollars.
There are two clear leaders in the race: Facebook (in blue), and Google (in red).
Both companies made relatively tentative deals in 2010.
At present Facebook owns 46 companies, and Google 146.
What we're witnessing now, however, is essentially a tech arms race.
None of these acquisitions have allowed the companies to expand beyond their core businesses yet.
Facebook has less wiggle room for risks than Google, which can afford to lose bets (as it did on Motorola).
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