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Microsoft reveals browser ballot screen, rollout begins next week
Starting next month, users in the EU will begin receiving a Windows update which finally implements the browser ballot screen which was approved in December 2009.
The update adds a new shortcut to the desktop labeled "Browser Choice" and on Windows 7 it will also replace Internet Explorer on the taskbar if a user happens to have it pinned there. Launching the shortcut opens a window which provides a little background information about what's going on.
Once a user clicks ok to confirm they're connected to the Internet, the actual selection screen will appear with the 12 browsers displayed in random order with their icons and a blurb (the top five -- IE, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, and Opera -- will appear first, also in random order).
There's also a select later button at the bottom of the window should a user not want to be bothered with choosing at the moment.
I'm curious to see how much impact this actually has on the browser landscape in the EU. After all, the taskbar icon can be unpinned and the desktop icon can be deleted like any other. Some users will have updates disabled and some will choose not to install the ballot update manually -- and they'll never even see the screen.
Then there's also the minor detail that the window still sports Internet Explorer branding. There's the extremely recognizable icon on the taskbar and in the upper left corner of the ballot window. Is that enough of a hint to keep users clicking back to IE8?
We'll find out next week when the update begins rolling out in the UK, Belgium, and France. The rest of the EU will begin seeing the screen on March 1. Stay tuned!
I'm curious to see how much impact this actually has on the browser landscape in the EU. After all, the taskbar icon can be unpinned and the desktop icon can be deleted like any other. Some users will have updates disabled and some will choose not to install the ballot update manually -- and they'll never even see the screen.
Then there's also the minor detail that the window still sports Internet Explorer branding. There's the extremely recognizable icon on the taskbar and in the upper left corner of the ballot window. Is that enough of a hint to keep users clicking back to IE8?
We'll find out next week when the update begins rolling out in the UK, Belgium, and France. The rest of the EU will begin seeing the screen on March 1. Stay tuned!
Comments
7
Subscribe to commentsMikeFeb 19th 2010 8:44AM
Cool! When does Apple have to implement this? LOL
Lee MathewsFeb 19th 2010 8:46AM
Before this degrades into another Apple/MS shouting match, the reason Apple doesn't have to is because of their comparatively tiny market share. If they had 80%, the EU would be after Apple instead. ;)
JoePalmaFeb 19th 2010 9:04AM
Before someone complains about how pointless this is, remember: 'We', readers of sites like Download Squad, are not the target audience. This is for Grandma and Uncle Jim. If nothing else it will increase them knowing there are alternatives. Even though I think we all know they're gonna go to IE 'cause they're used to it.
RichardFeb 21st 2010 5:58AM
But.. a LOT of people still don't know what a browser is, a LOT of them also think that internet explorer IS 'the internet', even more confusing is the fact that google chrome is in there with a big 'google' logo so people will think this is about web pages or search engines or somithing like that.
johnbondjoviFeb 19th 2010 12:20PM
"Apple doesn't have to is because of their comparatively tiny market share. If they had 80%, the EU would be after Apple instead. ;)"
Almost correct. It is OK to have 80% of the market share but Microsoft was CONVICTED of using their 80% to CRUSH Netscape ILLEGALLY(Back room deals with OEMs etc. etc.) They were convicted in the USA & in the EU.
This is their punishment 10 years on.
darwinsurvivorFeb 22nd 2010 8:36PM
The sad part is that if the USA/EU had had the balls to stand up to them 10 years ago, we wouldn't be in this mess to start with.
+10 for standing up to Microsoft
-50 for waiting 10 years to do it!
DanielMar 8th 2010 6:24AM
Check this funny ballot screen :P
http://www.realbrowserchoice.eu/
LOL!