Web browsers

why is the web browser so important? what is in it for google and microsoft

[jharker1987]

Hi all,

this is just a general thought, but why is the latest browser war (IE vs Chrome vs FireFox) so important?

I realise that FireFox make money from google by users using the search bar at the top right of the page, but what do Microsoft gain from it and especially, what are google getting out of it?

Let me know your thoughts.

[bill]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld jharker1987.

MS wants to keep people using its products in general. They sell more software that way.

Google wants another place to present its advertisements, that's how they make their money.

[steve]

Both companies believe that many applications which currently run on locally on the desktop will in the future will run remotely using the the browser as their interface.

Google is also actively developing its browser for the same reason.

The big advantage is apps become hardware and OS independent, they can run on smartphones, desktops, linux or windows.

If they are right, and I'm not convinced (I like my data where I can protect it) the winner stands to make a lot of money.

[kaled]

If they are right, and I'm not convinced (I like my data where I can protect it) the winner stands to make a lot of money.

It seems to me, that even if they are right, they still won't make any money from browsers while high-quality free (and advert-free) alternatives exist.

I've thought for several years that MS should pull out of browsers altogether - they are on a hiding to nothing.

Kaled.

[jharker1987]

hmm yes I understand where google are coming from now, but Internet Explorer is becoming a laughing stock in the standards world, and microsoft themselves stopped developing the browser for x number of years, so what has suddenly triggered them to restart development?

I understand that Microsoft want to get people using theyre software....

hang on, its all about Bing isnt it. Internet explorer installed by default, Bing default web browser, pow theres your money.

Tell me if im wrong

[tangor]

what are google getting out of it?

The gravy, ie, the monetization, for their ads, etc.

FF bangs against IE, the rest (including Chrome) are pissants, meaning low numbers. And there you are.

[kaled]

its all about Bing isnt it. Internet explorer installed by default, Bing default web browser, pow theres your money.

No, that's not it either...

Suppose MS dropped Internet Explorer and shipped Windows with Firefox (with permission, of course). They could still set Bing as the default home page, or whatever.

There are only two possible reasons why MS continues with Internet Explorer
1) Stupidity
2) Pride ...
both of which come before a fall!

Kaled.