Microsoft to Bundle Firefox and Chrome with Windows?
In its effort to detangle itself from the ongoing proceedings of the European Union antitrust case, it seems Microsoft is offering to include rival web browsers in the Windows OS. Revealed in a statement by the European Commission, Microsoft offered to give consumers a choice of browser installation through a browser ballot screen. New computer owners running Windows may get a chance to choose their browsers form a variety of software makers.
Upon the EU's acceptance of the proposal, Microsoft will begin shipping versions of Windows with the ballot screen throughout Europe. The antitrust case first came about after rival browser Opera filed a complaint on the Redmond giant's bundling of Explorer with Windows. RWW has already covered Microsoft's attempts to make amends on the case; however, this new agreement will have even larger affects on the industry. 
According to Stat Counter, Internet Explorer currently holds the majority market share for browsers at 61%. The next competitor is Firefox with roughly 30% of installs and Opera, Safari and Chrome make up the difference. While non-IE users have had to install their browser of choice, Internet Explorer's rise to success can be attributed to having been bundled on every Windows PC. With the new multi-browser bundling, competitors will finally reap the rewards of Microsoft's distribution channels. As new PC's are purchased, it's likely that Firefox and Chrome will see a new opportunity to thrive.
Less than tech-savvy users who've never questioned IE bundling with Windows may purchase new machines and choose their browser for reasons that have nothing to do with performance or popularity. A user may simply choose to run Opera because they're a music lover or Chrome because they're a car enthusiast. While it's too early to tell how consumer habits will change, if the EU chooses to settle with Microsoft, browser developers will see a major shift in the market place.
Facebook
Comments
Subscribe to comments for this post OR Subscribe to comments for all ReadWriteWeb posts
Next up: OpenOffice.org for everyone!
This is a pretty cool idea. I wonder how/if Microsoft has some ideas of how they'll encourage ppl to choose IE over the other two?
Most people have no idea what the difference is between the Internet, a web browser and a search engine.
This is great, seems like microsoft is starting to do more for the community.
It still sounds messed up... and the OS needs to disappear into the background. And I agree with David, most people don't know the difference and don't want a choice. How many people even know what an RSS feed is?
This new option is great for those of us who do know how to use the tools, but probably more confusion for others. Of course all this may change again when Google releases its own OS.
Peace,
Bob
I don't agree with that opinion. Every OS should have their own responsibility about what browser is included inside the OS. A fully working, fully integrated browser is from my point of view essential for extending the understanding of the web.
IE has been bad in the future, it's a monopoly, in fact. And it has been bad for web design up to v7. But v8 isn't that worse, there's just a community for it missing. I don't see a problem if they include their browser into the OS and don't block other browsers. Nobody can force them to include a 3rd-party software inside their product. And that is, for sure, absolutely irresponsible as they can't impact the development and spreading of patches for that..
Finally. I wish it would happen in the US too. I think we will see Chrome rise pretty fast because of the G name...
Fighting with Firefox for the top spot until IE smartens up and makes life a little easier for designers...
Chrome was like FF for me - once you tried it all other substitutes paled.
Posted by: Thom Kennon
|
July 25, 2009 5:32 AM
Hurraayy!!!!!
IE really SUcKZ.
Very good DEciSion.
Why? The only thing they need to include is FireFox!
RT
www.anon-tools.tk
This is ridiculous. Microsoft should be able to put whatever they want in THEIR OWN operating system. I want as little as possible installed when I get a computer. I use Firefox and Chrome which take mere seconds to download when I set up a computer. What's next, ITunes, Winamp, VLC, Quicktime and Realplayer bundled on every machine?
what about OSX with Safari?
"what about OSX with Safari?"
Mac has no market share so nobody cares.
It's the end of Internet Explorer!
I suspect most average users will still select IE since the icon will be most familiar to them. I wonder though, will this make it easy for users to try out all the browsers before making a final decision?
Opera will make an excuse about this of course because their browser is second rate especially compared to Firefox and Chrome. Even IE8 and Safari!
The most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Making a company remove a feature from their product to give way to competitors.
Windows should of just not released 7 in EU and made all of them get copies out of country.
This is a great move forward; but I feel that a majority of users will still opt for familiarity and choose IE when offered, simply because they recognise the logo.
Text Editor, Graphics Viewer, Email, what next .. the list goes on.. Windows should be an OS and only an OS.. MS should be broken up, to stop cross funding of non-profitable parts of their business, which prevents real competition.
thank you very
Come on. It's Mircrosoft's OS, they can include whatever kind of software they want. Do Linux distributions come prepacked with a bunch of browsers to choose from? No.
Besides, it's just a browser, God damn it (http://xkcd.com/198/)! :)