Microsoft finally comes to an agreement with the EU

[javajolt]

over Internet Explorer and Windows 7

After months of discussion, arguing and fighting; Microsoft has finally found even grounds with the EU over their inclusion of Internet Explorer 8 in Windows 7 in Europe. Originally, in June it was reported that a special edition of Windows 7 would be released, but later on Microsoft ditches those plans and went for a browser ballot like you see above. Originally the browsers were in a fixed order, but now they have been randomised relative to market share (So generally, Opera gets put nearer the left more often).

This is the result of complaints by Opera, backed by both Mozilla and Google (But not further actioned) and eventually they got Microsoft to essentially advertise competing products in their Operating System. It’s almost like Coca Cola advertising Pepsi on their vending machines.

Still, at least the EU get a reasonable version of Windows 7 with just an annoying pop up, which actually saves some people time when navigating to <browser of choice>’s home page.

[Jake]

Eventually I can see this leading to IE being pulled from the OS, and developed entirely as a seperate product (such as each program within the Windows Live suite).  Although it'll be strange to not have IE completely wrapped into Windows, having a Windows-independent release cycle and schedule should push the browser forward.

Of course this scenario won't happen until around Windows 9, maybe Windows 8 if the community (and the IE team themselves) push for it.  Or, the EU could just have another fit and force it to happen.