![]() Browsers nowadays have multitasking, hardware-accelerated graphics, pop-up notifications, and built-in videoconferencing. They're essentially becoming miniature operating systems unto themselves able not just to show Web pages but to run Web applications. "The idea that it's not Windows it doesn't make sense."īrowsers, of course, aren't just any old software. Of the second, he says Windows RT uses the same user experience, programming interfaces and Windows Update system. It's a different architecture, but it's not the first time we've had an OS that works on a different architecture," he said of the first point. "I'm not aware that Microsoft is the exclusive and sole proprietor of technology capable of working in the ARM environment. Windows RT - the version of Windows 8 geared for ARM devices - "isn't Windows anymore."Īnderson scoffs at the arguments.The chips have new requirements for security and power management, and Microsoft is the only one who can meet those needs. ARM processors, which power virtually all iOS, Android, and Windows Phone smartphones and tablets today, are different from the x86 chips that power PCs.Microsoft Deputy General Counsel David Heiner told Mozilla it won't permit other browsers for two reasons, Anderson said: In terms of worldwide personal computer browser usage, Microsoft's IE is on the rebound after years of declines. ![]() "So, we are denied the ability to deliver any browser on Classic, and we are denied the ability to build a competitive browser on Metro." Dotzler also elaborated on the issue in a first and second blog post. Second, Microsoft has a browser that runs in Metro mode on Windows ARM that has access to rich APIs that they are denying to third-party Metro browsers on Windows ARM," Dotzler told CNET. They are not allowing us that same access to run our browser on Classic. "First, Microsoft has a browser that runs in Classic mode on Windows ARM. But that browser would be crippled on Windows RT, said Asa Dotzler, a Mozilla spokesman. Technically, Mozilla could release a version of Firefox for Windows 8's new Metro interface - it's indeed building one for more traditional Windows 8 PCs that use x86 chips. If it turns out to be legal pressure, that could be the thing." They could have a subsequent release that allows third-party browsers," Anderson said. "First I want to really see if Microsoft is intent on pursuing this path. Mozilla isn't considering legal action at this time, and Anderson said going to court would be "a solution of last resort." But it's an option if nothing changes. attorney general Janet Reno said upon suing Microsoft.Īlthough Microsoft didn't prevail in those cases, its, uh, competitive spirit appears to be unquenched. "Microsoft used its monopoly power to develop a chokehold on the browser software needed to access the Internet," then-U.S. case is closer to today's situation: the accusation that Microsoft abused its monopoly power in Windows to crush browser pioneer Netscape. Microsoft's position raises the prospect not only of refighting the browser wars of more than a decade ago, but also of reviving the grindingly slow antitrust litigation from the U.S. Microsoft declined to comment for this story. Anderson also detailed concerns in a blog post. "Making IE the only browser on that platform is a complete return to the digital dark ages when there was only one browser on the Windows platform."Īnderson has been discussing the matter with his counterparts at Microsoft, but the company hasn't budged, he said. "They're trying to make a new version of their operating system which denies their users choice, competition, and innovation," said Harvey Anderson, Mozilla's general counsel. Today, Mozilla's top lawyer warned that Microsoft's behavior threatens a repeat of history, because it's telling Mozilla that it's barring Firefox from forthcoming Windows 8 machines that use ARM processors. That, of course, is what happened during the first browser war of the 1990s and beyond, on personal computers. The browser market, deprived of competition, stagnates. Stop me if you've heard this one before: Microsoft muscles aside other browsers and cements the dominance of Internet Explorer.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |