BallotScreen
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Early reports show IE not faring well in the post-ballot screen days
Most PC users hit the web using Internet Explorer by default, simply because that's what came along with Windows. Now, after antitrust investigations, European users get a choice of browser to install via ballot screen, and initial reports are not good for 'ol IE. According to Statcounter, IE use in France has dropped 2.5 percent since last month's implementation of the ballot, 1.3 percent in Italy, and 1 percent in Britain. It's still early days, and it'll take more than this to chip away from IE's 62 percent lead in the browser war, but it's certainly not a good trend for Microsoft. With that in mind, we're going to have to ask you to place your bets now.
Windows 7's European browser ballot screen revealed, rolling out next week
Microsoft is putting the finishing touches to the famed "browser choice screen" that the European Commission forced it to include as part of its antitrust investigation settlement, and today we get to see it for the first time. Users who have Internet Explorer as their default browser (meaning none of the savvy Engadget readers) will be alerted that there is "an important choice to make" and directed to the above decision making assistant. We actually think the randomized order of the top five browsers makes a ton of sense, and would express some cautious optimism that the ballot screen could really do its job of informing people of the alternatives out there. Users in the UK, Belgium and France will get to try it out next week, and a phased rollout will begin across Europe on March 1.
European Commission likes Windows 7 browser ballot screen, will probably fine Microsoft anyway
Well, it took two months, but the European Commission has finally decided that Microsoft's idea for a Windows 7 ballot screen, in which users pick which web browser they want installed, is acceptable, saying it'll give users "an effective and unbiased choice between Internet Explorer and competing Web browsers." Previously MS was working on a custom version of the OS for EU shores, called Windows 7 E, but nobody was particularly fond of that idea. We're glad to see the European Commission and Microsoft finally starting to warm to each other -- maybe money can buy you love.
