It seems that things are getting more cloudy every day for the Microsoft browser. Internet Explorer has been bleeding market share and is fast losing more ground in the internet browser battle.Software giant Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT), which has been hounded by the Europe Union (EU) for anti-competitive behaviour regarding the pre-installation of Internet Explorer on Windows-equipped PCs, has said it will enable future European computer buyers to choose their preferred browsing platform. In orded to help settle anti-trust cases brought before it by the European Commission, Redmond-based Microsoft has agreed to present new PC owners with an introductory browser screen (a.k.a. the ‘ballot screen’) that explains the online browser experience and offers
Internet Explorer alongside rival alternatives. As a result, the introductory browser screen will offer up a selection of 12 viable browser installations that can be used in addition to, or instead of, Microsoft’s dominant Internet Explorer. The agreement between Microsoft and the EU Commission is expected to last five years.
The announcement comes at a time when browser is steadily losing market share to rivals like Firefox and Google Chrome. According to Web metrics company Net Applications, Internet Explorer (IE) lost 1.3 percentage points during the month of September, which leaves the browser with a 65.7 percent share of the market, while Mozilla’s Firefox browser gained 0.8 percent to secure 23.8 percent, and Google’s Chrome platform increased its presence by 0.3 percent for a share of 3.2 percent.IE has dropped a total of 8.5 percentage points in the last 12 months. According to projections made by Net Applications, if Redmond-based Microsoft fails to stem the current tide of loss, the market share attributed to its Internet Explorer browser is likely to fall below 50 percent by around May of 2011.Internet Explorer's share of the worldwide browser market has fallen 16% since the beginning of last year, from 78.2% to 65.7%, according to figures dug up from Net Applications' Web site. At one time, Redmond controlled more than 90% of the market.Internet Explorer's share of the worldwide browser market has fallen 16% since the beginning of last year, from 78.2% to 65.7%, according to figures I dug up from Net Applications' Web site. At one time, Redmond controlled more than 90% of the market.
The events have left many wondering whether it is really the beginning of the end of Internet Explorer?
