Readers of this space may recall that about two weeks ago I wrote about an intriguing turn of events for Microsoft Corp. (MSFT). Pursuant to an agreement with the European Commission, Microsoft has made available to it's new European customers a web page which provides those customers download utilities for a choice of twelve different web browser applications. As I suggested then, It appears that the reign of Windows Internet Explorer may come to a screeching halt.

According to a report from BBC News, a web browsing application known as Opera is knocking Internet Explorer back on it's heels in Europe. Opera Software of Norway states that downloads of it's web browsing software have doubled in some countries since the Microsoft provided selection page came on line. Anywhere from 60% to 75% of the new download requests for Opera have come via the new Microsoft provided service.

Continue reading Microsoft Customers Go to Opera

Microsoft Customers Go to Opera originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Instigated by an agreement negotiated between the European Commission (EC) and Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), a new browser selection utility has just become available. Although the browser choice software is intended mainly to be distributed through the Windows update system familiar to Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) users, it is also available online for anyone to access.

It is reported that Microsoft IE currently holds approximately 62% of browser market share. That is a powerful position for the company to be in when considering that web browsers are absolutely essential pieces of software. That is, in part, why the EC put pressure on Microsoft to open up the playing field to lesser known browser utilities. With their demands, European regulators essentially cut Microsoft's exclusive IE umbilical cord in July of 2009.

Continue reading Microsoft and the Browser Wars

Microsoft and the Browser Wars originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The German government recommends using browsers other than Internet Explorer until Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) provides a patch to fix a critical security flaw that allowed a cyber attack against Google Inc. (GOOG).

In a statement posted on its website, Germany's Federal Office for Information Security warned that attacks by hackers "cannot be fully prevented," even if users run Microsoft's browser in safe mode.

Continue reading Stay Away from Microsoft's Browser, Warns German Government

Stay Away from Microsoft's Browser, Warns German Government originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 17 Jan 2010 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The New York Times reports that Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) will introduce its own browser -- named Chrome -- but will it cost Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) any revenues? Since Microsoft gives away its browser, the answer is no. However, Google's move may force Microsoft to divert resources to upgrade its browser to avoid losing market share.

And Microsoft' still dominates the browser market. The Times reports that Microsoft "still holds 73 percent of the browser market. [Open-source browser] Firefox's [share] has climbed to 19 percent, while Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) Safari has 6 percent." And Google's Chrome introduction marks "a shift for Google, which has strongly backed Firefox."

So why is Google doing this? It could be so that as Google develops applications -- such as search, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation and e-mail programs -- designed to run on browsers for PCs and handheld devices it wants to avoid being so dependent on Microsoft. InfoTech reports that a "new feature in the latest beta of Microsoft IE 8 makes it easier for users to block information about their browsing habits, a move which could hamper Google's interests in display advertising." And while Firefox keeps pressure on Microsoft to upgrade its browser, Google has far more resources to threaten Microsoft's share. So Chrome could divert more Microsoft cash and staff.

Continue reading Is Google's browser a threat to Microsoft?

Is Google's browser a threat to Microsoft? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) will offer its own internet browser to compete with Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) Internet Explorer and the Mozilla Firefox product.

The software may be plagued by the law of unintended consequences, doing more damage to Firefox than to Microsoft. According to The Wall Street Journal, Google says the "software is designed to make it faster to browse the Web and easier to run applications without downloading software to a computer."

Most PCs come loaded with Internet Explorer as part of Microsoft Windows. That leaves Google with the challenge of getting consumers to download its new browser. Firefox is also software which must be downloaded. Google may end up competing more with Firefox, a product it has supported in the past, than with IE.

Most consumers don't care what browser they use as long as they have access to the internet. Microsoft's largest advantage is that it is part of the PC software package that people use without any thought as to how it might be changed.

Google will end up hurting an ally without doing any damage to its primary rival.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

Google (GOOG) puts horse into browser race originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

According to this article, advertisers who use the Internet to get their message across may not like Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) Internet Explorer 8 beta. That's because the software giant is incorporating technology into the browser that will make it harder for data collection that could be used to target ads. In addition, the browser will be able to block some ads entirely, as well as block content from another website from appearing on the current site a user is viewing. The rationale for the latter is that the outside website could be capturing data on the user's habits.

All this adds up, in my mind, to a legitimate fear for advertisers. Look, I'm like anyone else. I don't want a lot of data collection going on. But, there are basically only two ways for companies like Yahoo! (NASDAQ: YHOO) and Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) to make money off web content: engage a subscription model, or utilize ad platforms to monetize eyeballs. The Internet has proven to be very resistant to subscription models. Sure, some do work to great success. For the most part, however, surfers don't want to have to throw a credit-card number into a form to be able to see content. It just doesn't work. They want unfettered access to sites. If this is to be the case going forward, then highly-targeted ads are going to play an increasing role in the solution to monetization challenges. Web sites aren't like cable channels, which have the dual revenue streams of subscriber fees and ad sales.

And, keep in mind that the companies mentioned above aren't the only ones who rely on targeted ads. How about Disney (NYSE: DIS)? News Corp. (NYSE: NWS)? Viacom (NYSE: VIA)? They all have major Internet strategies that utilize ad revenues. And let's not forget the incredible irony here. Mr. Softy has its own Internet strategy that needs ads to survive. I guess it's a tough position to be in: the designers want to enhance the attractiveness of Internet Explorer to users by helping them avoid the very thing that powers, in part, shareholder value for the maker of Internet Explorer. A conundrum, to be sure. I personally hope a solution can be found that will allow advertisers to continue selling their wares. I don't find advertising to be evil. I think it's a great industry that serves an important function in the economy. Microsoft had better consider that.

Disclosure: I own Disney; positions can change at any time.

Microsoft's browser upgrade: Bad for ads? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading eBay, Yahoo!, Firefox, Facebook: This ain't good folks.

eBay, Yahoo!, Firefox, Facebook: This ain't good folks. originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 20 Jul 2007 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) will ship a version for its Safari browser that works on the PC, a piece of real estate that has been owned by Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) Internet Explorer and is on the Windows operating system.

One analyst told (subscription required) The Wall Street Journal that the news was not a big deal: "Overall it was a disappointment," said Gene Munster, an analyst at Piper Jaffray. But, to a large extent, that depends on what Apple's goals are.

The browser serves a number of functions aside from being the PC portal to the Internet. Several new Microsoft versions incorporate the company's search technology, and important part of its competition with Google (NASDAQ : GOOG). If Apple uses eventually uses Google for that function, it could further advance their lead in search.

Windows Internet Explorer also contains other Microsoft products like Window Messenger. Computers with the Safari browser would not have easy access to that.

Apple's initiative may be small, for now, but with Mac sales growing adding a Windows version of its browser further helps Apple to expand into an areas that has been owned by Microsoft and the PC manufacturers.

Douglas A. McIntyre is a partner at 24/7 Wall St.

Apple launches Safari browser for PC originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 12 Jun 2007 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Should Microsoft have acquired web browser maker Opera? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 21 Dec 2006 14:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft releases IE7 with little to no fanfare originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 19 Oct 2006 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's not the endlessly customizable interface that the open-source-hungry are begging for, but Microsoft's next beta release of its next-gen browser, Internet Explorer 7, will fix problems with some popular features when it comes out some time in August. Jeremy Reimer from arstechnica notes that the design of previous releases seems "bizarre" and confirms that users won't be able to change the layout -- with "the menu bar being sandwiched between the address bar and the tab bar" -- in Beta 3 according to a recent Microsoft chat.

In a bit of rather technical mumbo-jumbo about caching behavior (why you care: it greatly increases bandwidth requirements in the Beta 2 version), developer Eric Lawrence explains some of the fixes that will be available on the IEBlog.

Last week, the developers announced the official name of the new browser would be "IE7+" or "Internet Explorer 7+" rather than tying it to the Vista moniker (as Tony says, " 'The version of IE7 in Vista' doesn't roll off the tongue as easily...")

Insider blogging: Microsoft updating its IE browser (finally) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 03 Jun 2006 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Google says Microsoft stealing search with new IE7 browser originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 01 May 2006 08:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft hopes to stop the bleeding.  The Washington Post  reported today that Microsoft is ready to test its new version of Internet Explorer - IE7. 

The Post reported that Microsoft has been slowly losing IE users each year.  Last year IE controlled 88.6% of Internet Web surfers.  That number dropped to 84.7% last month.  The big gainer was Firefox.  Its use jumped more than three percent from 6.7% to 10%.

You know Microsoft doesn't want to risk any part of its near monopoly.  Most people who leave Microsoft's cocoon do so because of safety concerns.  IE can be a big target for virus writers and more and more people are concerned about safety while Web surfing.

Microsoft believes the new version of its Web browser will answer users safety concerns.  IE7 will include color-coded warnings when users try to access a suspicious Web site.  Other new features will allow users to open several frequently used Web sites at once.  Also, you should be able to print Web pages without cutting off the right side of the page - I can't wait for that one.  Improved search features also will be included. 

The final version will be out at the end of the year.  If you are a brave sole and want to try it out early, you can download it at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx.  Personally, I'm not an early adopter when it comes to new Microsoft releases.  I prefer to let others find the bugs.

I'm sure we all hope Microsoft really does improve safety with this new version.

Microsoft looks to reverse IE loses, tests IE7 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 26 Apr 2006 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.