On TechRepublic: Why Android beats iPhone
BNET Business Network:
BNET
TechRepublic
ZDNet
TalkBack 33 of 34:
Next »
« Previous
Genius move by Microsoft
This is actually a brilliant move on Microsoft's part. If the EU accepts this compromise from Microsoft, instead of forcing them to include additional competing browsers, then Microsoft can ship Windows 7 initially 'without' a browser, and you can bet that the first "Important Windows Update" when they turn on the PC would be Internet Explorer 8. Also, without having IE8 on the machine to start with, users actually won't be able to go and get any other browser, as the typical user doesn't know how to download things without using a browser, they'll be forced to get IE8, and the Microsoft browser monopoly will continue. It's a fact that most users will go for the easiest option, in this case IE8, instead of first getting IE8 and then going off to get FF3 or Opera or Safari.

If the EU forces Microsoft to include competing browsers, then the user would be able to choose from a plethora of browsers right at the start, which would seriously harm Microsoft, since they rely on the fact that IE8 is the easiest browser to get, since it is pre installed. Shipping no browser means that IE8 is still easiest to get, due to Windows Update, than any other browser.

I would hope the EU does not fall for this tactic, but still I have to admit that it's a genius offer, because at face value it seems like it levels the browser playing field, where really, absolutely *nothing* will change.

This of course, assumes that the end user gets a PC without any browser on it, a scenario which I find unlikely, as PC makers are going to know that the end user will want an internet browser.
Posted by: welch3694   Posted on: 06/16/09 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
Reply to Story Reply to Message

Alert moderator to an offensive message

Subscribe to this discussion via Email or RSS

Limiting browser pre-installs  linuser | 06/12/09
Imagine the support nightmares  zmud | 06/12/09
Oh come on...  Metronome49 | 06/12/09
and you've....  JoeMama_z | 06/12/09
for real  AceOfJames | 06/12/09
Well...  zkiwi | 06/13/09
If you code to standards  Michael Kelly | 06/12/09
As usual  LordLiverpool | 06/15/09
RE: EC responds to Microsoft's browser move  ampers@... | 06/12/09
Wrong. Try again  Unix Pimp | 06/12/09
This is wrong and inane...  Metronome49 | 06/12/09
As usual  LordLiverpool | 06/12/09
So...  zkiwi | 06/14/09
How can people  LordLiverpool | 06/15/09
Go back a couple steps and read...  Metronome49 | 06/15/09
RE: EC responds to Microsoft's browser move  LordLiverpool | 06/12/09
PC makers & users still have freedom  linuser | 06/12/09
Once again  LordLiverpool | 06/15/09
For retail purchases  Scubajrr | 06/12/09
Did you run into a wall?  Metronome49 | 06/12/09
This is a silly move, and I don't think that the EU should allow it  Metronome49 | 06/12/09
I don't blame MS for this approach  Reply_account | 06/12/09
You missed the point...  Socratesfoot | 06/12/09
RE: EC responds to Microsoft's browser move  Parassassin | 06/12/09
For most people, this will not be an issue  linuser | 06/12/09
Wish the US could get it...  Socratesfoot | 06/12/09
PC makers would probably favor that  linuser | 06/12/09
I just uninstall it...  Spiritusindomit@... | 06/14/09
RE: EC responds to Microsoft's browser move  oo7maverick | 06/12/09
What more are they supposed to do Opera?  Spiritusindomit@... | 06/14/09
RE: EC responds to Microsoft's browser move  norfolk_tyke | 06/15/09
RE: EC responds to Microsoft's browser move  agsGeoff | 06/15/09
Genius move by Microsoft  welch3694 | 06/16/09
More ZDNet Troll bait  Duke E. Love | 06/16/09

What do you think?

SponsoredWhite Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

advertisement
advertisement