Microsoft Modifies European 'Browser Ballot' to Eliminate Safari's Advantage

[MacRumors]

In mid-October, it was reported that Apple's Safari for Windows browser was slated to receive prominent placement on a "browser ballot" designed to allow Windows users in Europe to select which Internet browser they wished to use. The ballot process was included by Microsoft to address anti-competitive concerns there, where the company has been found at fault for its integration of Internet Explorer with Windows.

Apple benefited from the proposed ballot plan due to Microsoft's proposal that the top five browsers be listed in alphabetical order by company, placing Apple's Safari browser for Windows in the primary position ahead of Google's Chrome, Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Mozilla's Firefox, and Opera. The arrangement, however, drew criticism from a variety of sources, unsurprisingly including Mozilla and Opera.

Yesterday, Bloomberg reported that Microsoft has revised its plans for the browser ballot, and among the revisions was a change that will randomize the list of top five browser each time the list displayed.

Under the modified settlement, computer users with Windows will see a "ballot screen" that randomly lists the top five Web browsers that compete with Internet Explorer, the people said. Users would then click on a browser's icon and the program would be downloaded from the Internet.

Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft, the world's largest software maker, agreed to changes in the ballot screen following complaints from Opera, Google Inc., and Mozilla Corp., maker of the Firefox browser, according to the people.

Despite the change, Apple still stands to gain from the inclusion of Safari on the primary ballot screen. Safari 4 for Windows held only a 0.29% share of the total worldwide market, suggesting that Apple may have much to benefit from in its inclusion with other major Windows browsers on the ballot.

Article Link: Microsoft Modifies European 'Browser Ballot' to Eliminate Safari's Advantage

 

[kolax]

Would be interesting to see the statistics for Safari downloads on Windows since Windows 7 release (E.U. downloads if possible).

I'd be good to know if most users just clicked "Apple's Safari" just because it was first in the list and put the idea into people's heads that it was first because it was the better choice, not because of alphabetical order.

 

[flottenheimer]

Who really cares about Safari on Windows.
Mac software on PCs sucks (including Safari, QuickTime & iTunes) - much like MS Office sucks on OS X.

 

[stoplis]

If Microsoft has had to do this, why hasn't Apple?
Surely it should do the same when you install Snow Leopard, in the interest of fairness that is.

 

[ravenvii]

Who really cares about Safari on Windows.
Mac software on PCs suck (including Safari, QuickTime & iTunes) - much like MS Office suck on OS X.

I agree with you on QuickTime and iTunes, but Safari was *much* improved since 4.0, and is now a pretty decent Windows browser.

 

[9822737]

If Microsoft has had to do this, why hasn't Apple?
Surely it should do the same when you install Snow Leopard, in the interest of fairness that is.

Good point. I've always thought that. Apple should have to do the same, or is it just because Microsoft have a huge market share?

AnDy

 

[*LTD*]

If Microsoft has had to do this, why hasn't Apple?
Surely it should do the same when you install Snow Leopard, in the interest of fairness that is.

One situation has nothing to do with the other. This has been explained countless times.

 

[nkawtg72]

does this mean the EU will now require stores to hire hundreds of people to rearrange the proximity of all the computers of differing brands with relation to the front door every time a customer walks through the door?!

this to me has always been such a stupid issue. talk about taking things to the extreme. so fine, IE comes bundled in Windows. who cares. people have been downloading alternative browsers for ages now. do they really have to advertise their availability for it to be fair?!

good grief

 

[OllyW]

If Microsoft has had to do this, why hasn't Apple?
Surely it should do the same when you install Snow Leopard, in the interest of fairness that is.

Good point. I've always thought that. Apple should have to do the same, or is it just because Microsoft have a huge market share?

Microsoft were exploiting their monopoly position to unfairly push Internet Explorer as the default browser. Apple's market share is relatively insignificant so it is not doing anything wrong.

 

[knewsom]

"Apple stands to gain"??? How the holy hell will Apple stand to gain from people using its free web browser? Gain what? Market share? Whooptee-doo.

 

[zombitronic]

Randomization is fair, but this sounds like something that 5 year old children would complain about.

 

[elppa]

Who really cares about Safari on Windows.
Mac software on PCs sucks (including Safari, QuickTime & iTunes) - much like MS Office sucks on OS X.

All subjective though. They all work and millions of people use them everyday.

Yes I do believe the number of Mac Office customers is in the millions.

"Apple stands to gain"??? How the holy hell will Apple stand to gain from people using its free web browser? Gain what? Market share? Whooptee-doo.

Apple gets money from Google when people search Google via Safari. It's not a huge amount of revenue, but it is pretty much Mozilla's business plan.

 

[crees!]

Who really cares about Safari on Windows.
Mac software on PCs sucks (including Safari, QuickTime & iTunes) - much like MS Office sucks on OS X.

For RSS feeds, Safari on Windows does a MUCH better job in keeping counts and articles updated. On my Mac it's never accurate.

 

[BJMRamage]

someone needs a grant to see how random it really is.
surely there will be some issue there.

would be neat if it was like a slot machine thing where you pulled a lever and saw icons flashing by.

 

[9822737]

Microsoft were exploiting their monopoly position to unfairly push Internet Explorer as the default browser. Apple's market share is relatively insignificant so it is not doing anything wrong.

Just because their market share is a lot smaller it doesn't make it right.

 

[jav6454]

Sounds like the complaining 5 year olds got what they wanted. I don't really care, but it's idiotic to fight for ballot placement.

 

[SubtltzSir]

does this mean the EU will now require stores to hire hundreds of people to rearrange the proximity of all the computers of differing brands with relation to the front door every time a customer walks through the door?!

this to me has always been such a stupid issue. talk about taking things to the extreme. so fine, IE comes bundled in Windows. who cares. people have been downloading alternative browsers for ages now. do they really have to advertise their availability for it to be fair?!

good grief

Awesome <sarcasm>. So, what now - tire manufacturers in the EU who don't sign exclusive deals with car companies have the right to force auto companies to ensure that you have equal access to any tires on the market when you order your car. I hated my Firestones with my early 90's Civic and swapped them off as quickly as possible. The decision was made in the privacy of my own home, and with whatever advertising, reviews and recommendations from friends I could find.

What a crock. Buy Windoze, get IE. By Mac, get Safari. Get over it. There are always alternatives if you care to look. I don't need to be forced to decide before I get to "complete" the transaction. The EU doesn't need these kind of useless laws.

Oh, and I know lots of folks who were quite happy with their factory installed tires - so maybe it's just me.

 

[skellener]

Yesterday, Bloomberg reported that Microsoft has revised its plans for the browser ballot, and among the revisions was a change that will randomize the list of top five browser each time the list displayed.

Makes the most sense.

 

[stagi]

I think safari is a great browser and hope this helps its visibility!

 

[skellener]

If Microsoft has had to do this, why hasn't Apple?
Surely it should do the same when you install Snow Leopard, in the interest of fairness that is.

Sure. Doesn't matter to me. That would be fine. Just offer a check box at the install of which browsers you would like to install. Of course, MS doesn't have one for OS X anymore....do they?

 

[ifjake]

This is all a little ridiculous to me. I appreciate the clever "Programmer's Solution" to this perceived problem, but I would agree with the supposed, unspoken exclamation of someone, somewhere in Microsoft when I say "For Christ's sake. Are you happy now? Jesus."

 

[OllyW]

Just because their market share is a lot smaller it doesn't make it right.

It makes it legal though.

 

[dreadkid08]

If Microsoft has had to do this, why hasn't Apple?
Surely it should do the same when you install Snow Leopard, in the interest of fairness that is.

It's because Microsoft is way bigger than Apple. 95% of computers run Windows. But as much as I don't like Microsoft, Europeans are idiots. If you do not like your browser you can easily go to Apple's website, Mozilla's website, Google's website, or Opera's website and download a different one! I just put Google Chrome on my mom's computer you don't need a law for browsers this whole thing is BS

 

[Rodimus Prime]

A far as I have seen Safari on windows is just a geek toy. It is not a browser of the masses yet.
The only none IE broswer that I have seen to break into the common people market is Firefox. Firefox I have noticed is much more likely to see a non geek using than any of the others.

 

[supercooled]

One situation has nothing to do with the other. This has been explained countless times.

Please explain it once more in the interest of public edification. It's a fair question and Microsoft should not be pigeonholed.