In the U.S. Microsoft pushes Edge as a default browser for Windows 10 users in an attempt to regain ground lost to rival browsers Chrome, Opera or Firefox.
In the U.S. Microsoft pushes Edge as a default browser for Windows 10 users in an attempt to regain ground lost to rival browsers Chrome, Opera or Firefox.
Several reports came in announcing that while on Bing, a simple attempt to search for Firefox or Chrome prompts a message that is intent to convince users they should stick to their initial choice. ‘Microsoft recommends Microsoft Edge for Windows 10’ reads the message that a number of visitors have seen. The text is accompanied by a ‘Learn Why’ button that walks users through a number of perceived advantages for using Microsoft’s latest browser.
The move is by no means no. All rival companies have used it and will probably use it in the future, albeit pointing fingers at each other for breaching competition laws. It’s a tough world in the browser market and these last-ditch attempts at gaining market share are old news.
However, it is interesting that Windows 10 users in Europe have not enjoyed the courtesy of being greeted by the same Edge-promoting messages as those in the U.S. Previously, Microsoft has fallen out of grace with European competition laws regarding pitching its own browser. This brawl resulted in users having the option between 12 different browsers that could be chosen as default.
What prompts Microsoft to send Windows 10 users looking for Chrome or Firefox or Opera in the U.S. the Edge promoting message? According to the statement of a Microsoft spokesperson:
“Microsoft Edge was designed exclusively for Windows 10 with features and functionality that enhance the browsing experience, such as Cortana, Web Note and Quick Answers”.
Moreover, according to the same statement, the notification thus provided are especially designed for people to receive timely and easy to handle information that helps in knowing what these experiences are all about.
“That said, with Windows 10 you can easily choose the default browser and search engine of your choice”,
concluded the statement registered by VentureBeat.
Certainly, as the practice is already inveterate, there is little reason to hold any grudge against a company that is playing by the unwritten rules of the market and looks to regain lost market share in what seems to be a four-player game.
According to one statistic released by Netmarketshare, Internet Explorer holds 58.22 percent of the share in the global browsing market. Chrome on the other hand, hold 15.42 and Firefox 18.7.
Another statistic coming from NetApplications indicated that 39 percent of Windows 10 users used Microsoft Edge during August.
Photo Credits: techneedle.com
