Internet Explorer, Opera, and my favorite, Firefox are the three contenders in this key race of browsers. It is well noted aroung the web that Firefox is increasing share of the browser market at an alarming pace. Well, alarming if your paycheck comes from Microsoft, but relieving if you are one of the millions of users that run it.
Microsoft has definately taken note. Onestat.com released figures about 2 weeks ago that showed Firefox rising nearly 13% globaly, 16% in the US, and 39% in Germany. What does Microsoft do? Hasten the launch of their new browsing utility, IE 7. Not only that, but the Microsoft application will be taking pages out of the Mozilla handbook such as tabbed browsing, security, and anti-phishing technology.
More yet, realizing that their software is dominant in the world, Microsoft is forcing users to download the application thanks to the automatic security update feature. Microsoft legitimizes that download due to the holes that were left unpatched in the IE6 release.
ZDnet also said that Opera (a good browser in its own right) will be releasing its 10th version relatively soon. Their goal, to make the browser functional on any device, portable or fixed.
What can I say? Good luck Microsoft, the road is long indeed. There is no chance to recapture share in the browser market. Not with as many dedicated Mozilla users as there are. Firefox faithful, the IT community that commonly fixes other peoples computers are pushing the open source browser. What more could you ask for from a volunteer sales team.
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