Google is claiming Microsoft has an unfair advantage?
Microsoft is including a search bar built into its new Internet Explorer browser - that makes sense.
Microsoft is setting the default search engine to MSN - that makes sense. They even provide a drop-down box that allows the searcher to change the setting to another search engine.
Google is complaining to the European Commission about this default setting - wow.
Have you downloaded FireFox lately? The default search box is Google and MSN is not an option on the drop-down. Have you bought a Dell lately? When I go to a bad URL on my new Dell Precision M65 I land on a Dell search page “Powered by Google” and the Google toolbar was pre-installed.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand Google not being happy about Microsoft’s latest move but they did kind of start the whole “bundle battle.”
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Wow, I totally agree with you on this and think that Google is out of line for complaining. Is it just me or are they starting to try to throw their weight around even more than usual? This is shaping up to be a good battle. I can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Comment by panasianbiz — May 2, 2006 @ 8:06 pm
You knew my response was coming…
First of all, to compare firefox’s including the google search box is a bit unfair. Google doesn’t own or operate firefox, although it does support it quite a bit, and the two seem like old chums. Also, google does not have an operating system. They are not bundling their stuff with software that is required to make your computer work (except in the case of dell I guess). For the most part, things that include google are optionally downloaded.
The argument for unfair advantage is a good one, and Microsoft would probably be saying the same thing if they were in google’s shoes.
Microsoft started the bundle war with windows 95. That’s why they were in court defending packaging IE with windows. That one move GAVE them the browswer market and killed netscape. Now they’re taking it one step further and bundling another software product, their search engine, out of the box.
in 1996 netscape was the best thing around, and it died quick because of Microsoft’s bundled software. Google is not the best thing around, and they are smart to be worried about Microsoft bundling competing software in their OS.
But I conceed that it’s hard to ask someone to play fair when it’s their own turf.
But if you buy a car from Honda, is it okay for Honda to tell you where you can buy your gas, where you can get your car serviced, what roads you can use, etc. etc.? Sure, it’s Hondas car and HOndas rules - but you gotta draw the line somewhere.
Comment by Sam — May 3, 2006 @ 2:15 am
Panasianbiz - it sounds like we’re on the same page on this one - I’ve loved Google for so long that I feel conflicted… but hey, the truth is the truth.
I do agree with some of your points, Sam - I think it would be fine if Honda recommended a gas station and gave you a free gas credit to try it out (like many car manufacturers are doing today) - that’s a better comparison
I agree that MS started the bundling war - what I meant to say was that Google started the search-related bundling war. I just don’t understand how buying your way to be the default search engine in a browser is different than writing your own browser and bundling the default OS - I’m sure Microsoft wishes they could have just bought their way in!
Comment by admin — May 3, 2006 @ 6:39 am
Google’s being such a crybaby — Microsoft has done nothing wrong and anyone in their shoes would have done exactly the same thing. In fact, you could argue MS’s been doing it all along (when you type in a keyword in IE, MSN search comes up). Somebody needs to change Google’s diaper.
Comment by cameron — May 6, 2006 @ 11:18 pm