Tag: EU
Weekly Browsers Recap, September 28th
- Firefox 3.6 provides easier support with about:support
- Google barks back at Microsoft over Chrome Frame security
- Contest to Redesign Google (and Unofficial Google Theme Directory)
- Opera Unite Apps are coming ever closer…
- Opera urges EU exec not to rush Microsoft case
- Browser makers complain about Microsoft’s ballot-screen fix
- Camino 2 Beta 4 adds phishing protection
- Cross Browser Compatibility Testing (shareware software)
- One web, CSS3, and HTML5 (video)
Thanks to Daniel Hendrycks, Mabdul, Nox and Trygve Lie for links.
How Did EU/MS Case Affected Opera Desktop Users Growth?
Earlier today Opera Software has posted their Q2 2009 financial results which are pretty good.
However, with campaigns such as “Boycott Opera”, it is interesting to check on how EU and Microsoft case has affected Opera Desktop short term user growth.
Q1, 2009 – ~40 million use Opera for PCs
Q2, 2009 – 40 million use Opera for PCs
As you can see, Opera Software has not reported Q1 vs. Q2 desktop user growth (which was 13% in 1Q vs. 4Q08), which leads to speculation that case indeed, affected PC web browser.
Of course, this could also happen due to new competitor’s products, and things might get better with Opera 10 release (set for September 1st).
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EU Responds to Microsoft’s Browser Move
As Microsoft started to talk about a possibility to ship Windows 7 without Internet Explorer in Europe, The European Commission responded to this move:
“In a statement, regulators said that the move seems a step backward in the retail software arena, but said it could be more positive in the new PC market, which is how 95 percent of consumers get a new version of Windows.”
[Read]
Microsoft Proposes Launching an IE Free Windows 7 “E” in Europe
ZDNet writes:
Microsoft is stepping up its campaign to try to appease European Commission (EC) regulators who are mulling possible remedies in the ongoing Opera-Microsoft browser-bundling case in the European Union.
According to News.com, Microsoft’s newest proposal is to offer a version of Windows 7 which strips out Internet Explorer (IE) 8. Not hides it — like is currently possible via a “remove features” capability. The Softies are proposing to sell a separate version, designated Windows 7 E which doesn’t include a browser in it at all.
[Read]
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EU Is Said to Ask PC Makers About Microsoft Influence
Bloomberg writes:
European Union regulators asked personal computer makers whether Microsoft Corp. pressured them to oppose an EU plan to give consumers a choice between Internet browsers on new PCs, people familiar with the case said.
…
“We’re hearing from our computer manufacturer partners that they have serious concerns about the financial and operational impact of the ballot screen remedy, which is being promoted by some of our competitors,” Microsoft said in a statement. “We have encouraged them to share their concerns with the commission.”
[Read]
EU Plans Fresh Strike on Microsoft
Ars Technica writes:
The Wall Street Journal is reporting today that European Union antitrust regulators aren’t done with Microsoft yet. The EU is looking into more sanctions against the software giant for including Internet Explorer with Windows, according to WSJ’s sources, and will likely announce a final ruling in the next few weeks. An EU spokesperson said that if the regulator rules against Microsoft, any remedy “would be based on the fundamental principle of unbiased choice” while a Microsoft spokesman says the company is “committed” to “full compliance” with EU law.
Continue reading at Ars Technica
EU Schedules Microsoft Antitrust Hearing for June
Electronista writes:
A date has been set for Microsoft to defend itself against European antitrust charges, Reuters reports. Between June 3rd and the 5th, representatives for Microsoft are expected to testify in a closed hearing before the European Commission, elaborating on the outlines of a written response submitted on April 28th. The company was originally ordered to reply by March 12th, but was granted two extensions, first to April 21st and then the 28th.
[Read]
Microsoft Responds to EU Browser Antitrust Charges
Yahoo News Writes: Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday confirmed it has submitted a formal response to European Union charges that tying the Internet Explorer browser to its Windows operating system violates antitrust rules.
….
At the time of the complaint, Opera said it was asking EU regulators to either force Microsoft to market a version of Windows without the browser, or to include other browsers with Windows.
[Read]
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World vs. Microsoft
ComputerWeekly reports that European Committee for Interoperable Systems (ECIS) group has joined EU and MS case (as complainant).
ECIS group includes large and small companies, such as:
Adobe Systems, Corel Corporation, IBM, Linspire, Nokia, Opera Software, Oracle Corporation, RealNetworks, Red Hat, and Sun Microsystems
Still no sign of Apple which is developing Safari web browser.
As previously reported, other participants are Google and Mozilla.
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EU Extends Microsoft Response Deadline (Again)
Surprisingly or not, EU has yet again extended Microsoft response deadline (which was April 21st before) on IE/Windows case. The new date so far is April 28th.
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