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Game on, Microsoft: Google Chrome shipping as default browser on some PCs
The EC might be content with Microsoft's browser ballot screen, but that's not stopping Google from getting OEMs to turn away from Internet Explorer on their own.
Google already has deals with several OEMs to include their software, of course. They've been shipping Google Desktop on OEM pcs for quite some time now, and their plans to drop Google Chrome on new users have come to fruition as well.
As you can see, I unboxed a new Sony Vaio laptop running Windows 7 yesterday. Nestled amongst the other desktop icons was the tri-color Chrome orb.
Not only was Chrome pre-pinned to the Windows 7 taskbar, but a quick look at the internet options on the laptop revealed sad news for Internet Explorer: it had been bumped from default web browsing duties.
If we weren't already in the middle of an all-out browser war, the introduction of Google Chrome as the preinstalled default on Windows PCs could well set things off.
Comments
16
Subscribe to commentsSeanrossNov 6th 2009 1:42PM
just saves me work, when people bring their computers for me to setup or fix. The first thing i do for them is download Firefox and/or Chrome
DeadlYRageNov 6th 2009 2:14PM
I agree, IE needs some work!
DeadlYRageNov 6th 2009 2:12PM
ohh noesssssssssssssss! You mean Microsoft would ship THEIR OS with IE!? OMG the nerve of them! lol All being serious aside, I am starting to like Google Chrome, once a stable release with addons is available...it might just take over my firefox!:)>
harmxNov 6th 2009 2:23PM
nah...I'd prefer google not tracking my surfing thanks; use iron sometimes though!
RogueJedi86Nov 6th 2009 4:08PM
Would you rather Google track your surfing with Chrome, or Microsoft track your surfing with IE? I personally would prefer Google/Chrome. Plus there's no evidence that your browsing is being sent back to Google. Also, what are you looking at that would get you in trouble if tracked?
harmxNov 6th 2009 5:40PM
Err...I don't use either browser.
..."Also, what are you looking at that would get you in trouble if tracked?"
hehe, you miss understand; I personally don't want any company 'stalking' me under the guise of targeted marketing- others seem not to mind ;)
RTMSNov 6th 2009 2:37PM
That isn't all very fair, if IE/Mircosoft has to give people a choice of browser shouldn't that prohibit Google walking in and just doing the same thing Microsoft has been doing? It seems kinda shady to me. Of course I still prefer Firefox and they haven't even gotten this far yet so kudos to Google.
RogueJedi86Nov 6th 2009 4:11PM
The way the post words it, it sounds like IE is still installed, Chrome is just default. That isn't forcing your browsing habits. In fact, it encourages diversity, since Microsoft sure didn't/doesn't have 2 browsers installed on PCs where IE is default. At least with this, you can go back to IE without having to install another.
Lee MathewsNov 6th 2009 4:13PM
The way the post words it?
You can see the IE icon pinned to the superbar, y'all. ;)
UndrhilNov 6th 2009 3:17PM
I agree with RTMS. If Microsoft can't force a browser on the end-user, what gives Google the right to do it?
Now, I can understand if the OEM decided on their own to make this choice, but if Google has made a deal with the OEMs to do it, that's not very fair, in the long run.
NickNov 6th 2009 3:02PM
@RTMS: Microsoft has a monopoly position, Google does not.
So they can bundle Chrome without legal issues, Internet Explorer 8 still IS bundled with Windows 7 though.
sm4rt357ch1ldNov 6th 2009 3:29PM
But it's not like Google is some penniless start-up who's browser is being crushed by Microsoft.
Really, I think it's ridiculous to force MS to remove stuff like IE or WMP. By that same reasoning, Apple should be forced to ship OS X without Quicktime, iTunes, and Safari.
NickNov 6th 2009 3:36PM
True, but Microsoft never had to remove IE or WMP according to EU regulations.
All they had to do is deliver the operating system as an operation system, not as a software package.
By doing that they are breaking two important laws: tax and the prohibition of commercial tying.
What Google does is adding a browser that directly does not have commercial targets, only virtual commercials targets.
Also Internet Explorer can't be removed as most libraries are left on the system, only the executable is removable.
Google Chrome is fully removable.
mbslrmNov 6th 2009 3:51PM
I think you mean EU, not EC.
nicholascronwrightNov 6th 2009 10:48PM
This is some of the best news I have heard in years. Microsoft is good at many things but in the browser market they are way behind yet they continue to try an shove IE down the throats of everyone. Believe it or not many novice PC users don't even know what Chrome is, they just switch on and use whatever is installed (hence IE6 still have such a large market share as it is pre-installed with XP). This can only means good things for the competition and hence advancement of the browser market. One of the best things to happen in a long time...if only more manufacturers will do the same thing!
SeanrossNov 8th 2009 12:46PM
dudes.... they have to bundle it with something. How else are you going to download something else, if a browser doesnt come with it to begin with.