Microsoft has revealed details of its European ‘Browser Ballot’.
Following European Commission investigations into Internet Explorer’s dominance in the browser market, Microsoft last year suggested giving Windows users an option to choose a different browser from the off.
The ‘Ballot Screen’ shows the five most popular browsers in a random order: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer 8 and Opera all feature. Users who feel adventurous can dig deeper for a full choice of 12 different browsers, all displayed randomly.
In an announcement today, the company’s Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Dave Heiner has revealed that the ‘Browser Ballot’ will begin limited testing next week in the UK, Belgium and France. An optional Windows update will be downloadable for anyone in those countries who wants to try it. A full, phased roll-out of the ballot screen will follow from the first week of March.
Once the update is installed, Windows users with Internet Explorer as their default browser will see the screen and get to take their choice.
Apparently, some companies aren't happy as all the choices are not showing up on the main window. At this date, it remains to be seen how Microsoft will handle it. Owning PC's and Macs, I guess there is some commitment to make on a PC? On a Mac, you always have the choice to change your default browser, it's really easy. Macs also have numerous choices for browsers, and you can have several of them in your Mac at once, and open and use several at a time. I don't see why that's not possible on a Microsoft platform.