Microsoft's Purported Windows Rt Firefox Ban: A Quick Explainer

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Microsoft's Purported Windows Rt Firefox Ban: A Quick Explainer

#1 PCWorld

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Posted 10 May 2012 - 06:01 AM

Post your comments for Microsoft's Purported Windows RT Firefox Ban: A Quick Explainer here

#2 GraysonPeddie

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Posted 10 May 2012 - 07:03 AM

I really do think that EU and US DOJ should intervene in order to let consumers choose which browser to use whether it be Firefox or Chrome.

Otherwise, I'm not buying Windows 8. Period.

#3 slappin

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Posted 10 May 2012 - 07:07 AM

Seriously, Apple releases a phone with only one browser and we are still complaining about old softee. Wow.

#4 RegorTheGreat

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Posted 10 May 2012 - 07:11 AM

I don't see Win8 RT being very popular for quite a while. If they really want to jump into the tablet game and make big splash, it would be to build the Windows 8 x86/64 for tablet using the new Ivy bridge (if it can be fast enough and power efficient).
When a device can run current windows apps, as an ultrabook, and be productive, and transform into a tablet for specific apps and portability, it will have a great fighting chance.

#5 slappin

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Posted 10 May 2012 - 07:13 AM

GraysonPeddie, on 10 May 2012 - 07:03 AM, said:

I really do think that EU and US DOJ should intervene in order to let consumers choose which browser to use whether it be Firefox or Chrome.

Otherwise, I'm not buying Windows 8. Period.

You have a choice, if you want something other than IE don't buy a windows tablet... Same goes for iPad, if you want something other than Safari, don't buy an iPad. Even if you download another browser for your iPad it will never integrate with other apps and their web links.

#6 ZacharyFerreira

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Posted 10 May 2012 - 10:34 AM

internet explorer sucks, we all get that but it was created by microsoft so all those new features being embedded into W8 will be embedded into IE. Besides, idevices only get safari and android gets a google browser why not let mobile microsoft be able to do the same thing with IE

#7 TechConc

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Posted 10 May 2012 - 11:34 AM

slappin, on 10 May 2012 - 07:07 AM, said:

Seriously, Apple releases a phone with only one browser and we are still complaining about old softee. Wow.

I suppose the question is, why shouldn't companies be allowed to create whatever type of walled garden they want? Who says every device must be open for applications to everyone? Should my TV allow open application development with no rules as well? As long as the rules are applied in a fair way, then I have no problem with it. That is, if Microsoft allowed Google Chrome, but not Firefox, etc.

Microsoft sees the benefits of controlling the environment. Just look at the malware that's available on Android as compared to Windows phone or iOS to better understand why companies are heading in a different direction. If you don't like that direction, you still have a choice... with another product.

In the end, this is much to do about nothing. It's hard to imagine a scenario where Windows RT hits it big in the tablet space. It won't have the benefit of legacy software and it's going up against better opponents.

#8 jglen490

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Posted 10 May 2012 - 01:11 PM

There's a difference between a set of corporations running in a competitive environment, and a single corporation running in a monopolistic environment.
Microsoft is incapable of excelling in an environment where there is true competition. Thus, they will do anything to establish, or maintain, an exclusionary environment. I hope they get their butts beat in the market as well as in court.

#9 GregoryCannon

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Posted 10 May 2012 - 01:56 PM

slappin, on 10 May 2012 - 07:07 AM, said:

Seriously, Apple releases a phone with only one browser and we are still complaining about old softee. Wow.

You can install other browsers from the App Store on iOS (for example: Atomic Web Browser, Dolphin Browser, Opera Mini, etc).

#10 linuxrants7xpg

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Posted 10 May 2012 - 02:19 PM

slappin, on 10 May 2012 - 07:13 AM, said:

It's not an issue of some company only including their own software. I can build a device in my garage and tell people that it will only run my software, and no one will care. The issue arises from the fact that Microsoft is a monopoly. Claiming that "you have a choice" is not accurate. Microsoft's established monopoly means you really don't have a choice when it comes to Windows. iPad? Yea, if you don't like it don't buy an iPad. Reason is that the iPad is not a monopoly. Windows is. Microsoft is using their established operating system monopoly to force a different product on a customer that doesn't necessarily want it.

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#11 richeemxx

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Posted 10 May 2012 - 02:41 PM

linuxrants7xpg, on 10 May 2012 - 02:19 PM, said:

slappin, on 10 May 2012 - 07:13 AM, said:

This goes back to the same argument over and over again. How is Windows representing a monopoly in this case and Apple isn't? MS and Windows aren't represented in the tablet market in any ways. So as Apple fans always like to say how can there be a monopoly here? Mozilla and Google have valid complaints yes. The problem is they are targeting the wrong company. At this point Windows based tablets would have to be a killer device to even touch the market share that Android and iOS already have. So their false concerns here are pointless.

Apple always likes to say we aren't a monopoly because users have that "other choice" but when it comes to MS everyone wants to beat them like the old dead horse.

http://geek-news.net/
http://www.techimo.com/

#12 Gnostradamus

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Posted 10 May 2012 - 04:57 PM

Stupid name, Windows RT.

#13 JanetMurray

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Posted 10 May 2012 - 05:21 PM

The easiest solution is to just encourage all of our friends and family to avoid restricted devices like these.

#14 MMAlisaver

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Posted 10 May 2012 - 06:36 PM

It's only desktop mode, which RT models will BARELY use given Metro. It's a non-issue, especially considering Apple's treatment of browsers. The fact that anyone is up-in-arms is ridiculous.

#15 MMAlisaver

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Posted 10 May 2012 - 06:39 PM

linuxrants7xpg, on 10 May 2012 - 02:19 PM, said:

slappin, on 10 May 2012 - 07:13 AM, said:

Uhh, what? How does Microsoft have a monopoly on the tablet market and Apple does not? This only applies to Windows 8 RT. Meaning Ipad-like TABLETS. Not laptops, not desktop PCs. So, "If uo don't like it don't buy a Windows RT tablet". Considering Ipad and Android's market share, there is no issue. Get over it.

#16 linuxrants7xpg

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Posted 10 May 2012 - 07:07 PM

richeemxx, on 10 May 2012 - 02:41 PM, said:

MMAlisaver, on 10 May 2012 - 06:39 PM, said:

You're both missing the obvious. Windows RT isn't just for tablets. From the article: "Windows RT is the version of Windows 8 designed primarily for ARM-based single-panel touch tablets, but is also expected to arrive on lightweight laptops." Windows RT is basically Windows for ARM, and it's not limited to a tablet interface. It will also support a Windows7ish desktop paradigm. Heck, even Apple allows for other browsers on the iPad. Firefox, Opera, and Dolphin are all available on the iPad. Incidentally, the iPad's market share is up to 68% this quarter from an estimated 55%. Windows market share is up this quarter from 85% to an estimated 86% of desktops, where it's held the dominant operating position since the 80s. It's pretty obvious why people don't consider the iPad a monopoly and they do consider Windows to be one.

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#17 LiveBrianD

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Posted 10 May 2012 - 07:48 PM

linuxrants7xpg, on 10 May 2012 - 07:07 PM, said:

Firefox, Opera, and Dolphin are all available on the iPad. Incidentally, the iPad's market share is up to 68% this quarter from an estimated 55%. Windows market share is up this quarter from 85% to an estimated 86% of desktops, where it's held the dominant operating position since the 80s. It's pretty obvious why people don't consider the iPad a monopoly and they do consider Windows to be one.

Not quite - as I recall, they can have a different interface, but they still use Safari's rendering engine. For instance, for FF, you mean Firefox Home, which just syncs bookmarks, right?

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#18 linuxrants7xpg

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Posted 10 May 2012 - 09:26 PM

LiveBrianD, on 10 May 2012 - 07:48 PM, said:

linuxrants7xpg, on 10 May 2012 - 07:07 PM, said:

Not quite - as I recall, they can have a different interface, but they still use Safari's rendering engine. For instance, for FF, you mean Firefox Home, which just syncs bookmarks, right?

Ah, I stand almost 100% corrected. I totally forgot about that. You're right on all but Opera. Safari, Firefox, and Dolphin all use the Webkit rendering engine. Opera actually uses a server to pre-render the pages before delivery to the device.

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#19 FF22

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Posted 10 May 2012 - 09:28 PM

jglen490, on 10 May 2012 - 01:11 PM, said:

Microsoft is incapable of excelling in an environment where there is true competition.

Yet, Internet Explorer has >50% share on the desktop browser market, and its share is growing, even though you can install any browser you just want on your Windows.

Quote

Thus, they will do anything to establish, or maintain, an exclusionary environment.

That's any and all companies are striving for, because that's how they can maximize their profits. That's why you can't run Internet Explorer on an Apple iPhone, on a Google Chrome OS and on Mozilla's Boot to Gecko OS either.

Quote

I hope they get their butts beat in the market as well as in court.

I hope stupidy will become non-existent one day in the world. Even though I don't really believe that will ever happen.

#20 NicholasOConnor

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Posted 10 May 2012 - 09:35 PM

ZacharyFerreira, on 10 May 2012 - 10:34 AM, said:

Except Android devices have the option to download and install another browser and use it by default. For instance, ANY web link opened on my phone opens in Dolphin, and not the standard browser.

The only reason Apple gets away with it is because most of the Apple fanbase is a cult.