The browser wars among Microsoft, Mozilla, Apple, Google continue. The recent agreement between Microsoft and the European Union allow other browser companies to get a foothold in the European Market. No longer can Microsoft tie the Internet Explorer to the OS and deny other browsers the ability to be installed and operate.
Internet Explorer 8
According to StatCounter Global Stats, Firefox 3.5 was the most popular browser in the world in the week between 14 and 20 December, 2009 based on their findings. Assuredly Internet Explorer is still on top of rivals in the browser wars, but Firefox is gaining grounds rapidly.
Firefox-3.5 Bests IE8-IE7-IE6 as the Most Popular Browser Worldwide
StatCounter Global Stats indicates that
- Firefox has 21.93% of users
- Internet Explorer 7 has 21.2%,
- IE8 has 20.33%,
- IE6 has 3.89%, followed by
- Firefox has 3.0 9%,
- Google Chrome has 3.0 4.86%,
- Safari 4 has 3.03%
- Opera has 1.46%.
Mozilla
However, according to another company, Net Applications, all current versions of Internet Explorer continue to account for usage shares larger than Firefox.
Apple Safari
Net Applications credits
- IE6 with 22.08% of the browser market,
- IE7 with 19.34%,
- IE8 with 16.86%
- Firefox 3.5 with 16.86%.
- Firefox 3.0 owns 8.13%
- Chrome 3.0 3.34%,
- Safari 4.0 3.29%,
- Opera 10.x 1.38%.
Google Chrome
As these figures show, Microsoft is not the dominant player any longer, at least not in the Browser field. The latest volley with the European Union will force Microsoft to advertise other browsers besides it own. This can’t be good for Microsoft.
Opera Browser
The latest releases of Google Chrome are available for download here.
Internet Explorer 8 is available for download here.
Opera 10.20 Alpha is available for download here.
Firefox 3.6 Beta 5 (Beta revision 5) for Windows is available for download here.
The next few months should tell us more about how the browser wars will play out. The effect of the European Union will begin to be seen in the next two months. But this may be downplayed if the success of Windows7 continues to dominate the news. Users may stick with one brand if they feel that the entire brand is stable.
