After the European Competition Commission (ECC) forced Microsoft to implement browser choice in their computers, the PC giant has revealed that from the 1st of March individuals will be provided with an option to change browsers.
Signed in 2009, the agreement between the EEC and Microsoft brought about a policy change at Microsoft, leading to the manufacturer having to install a browser choice service instead of offering only Internet Explorer (IE) to users. With an estimated 50per cent of the world’s internet users using IE as their preferred choice of browsers, Microsoft holds the monopoly, largely because their machines ship with the software already fully integrated.
However, from March 2010, users will be given a choice of browsers to use, with testing already having started in France, Belgium and the UK. With Choices to be installed on new machines, current PC users will be provided the service by way of an automatic update, allowing them to remain with IE or switch to another such as Opera, Firefox or Google’s Chrome.
Rory Cellan-Jones, the BBC’s technology correspondent explained that the move could prove to be an important step for IE’s rivals. “Millions of people who have never really thought about which browser to use will now be forced to make a choice,” he said, adding “That presents Microsoft’s rivals with a unique marketing opportunity.” Meanwhile Mitchell Baker, chair of the Mozilla Foundation who own Firefox said the announcement was “an important milestone towards helping people take control of their online lives.”
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My sixpence worth. [thats inflation for you]
I never agreed to any sort of trial? …And now I find I have a Programme plastered across my desktop that wont go away? – I’ve check it with AVG and it says its *not* a Virus! – I’ve looked on line? And there’s all this tripe about court cases? – MICROSOFT – EU – Dammed Government! – I’m not interested! – I really get fed up when Programmes are Installed without my consent!
As this wretched Browser Choice programme has been! – Now I’ve got to go through all the rigmarole of running MSCONFIG just to get rid of the Dammed! thing … Bl**dy Crap!
Not Happy Here Microsoft!…