Major Web Browsers Worldwide Usage – June 2012

Fresh statistics have been released into the wild by Net Applications for June 2012.  Net Applications’ statistics are based on the activity of about 160 million visitors per month to Web sites using its services.

These are the latest figures on the performance of the behemoths of the Internet as far as Web browsing is concerned.

1. Internet Explorer: 54.02– 54.05 = 0.03 percent
2. Firefox:  20.06 – 19.71 = 0.35 percent
3. Chrome:  19.08 – 19.58 = 0.50 percent
4. Safari:  4.73 – 4.62 = 0.11 percent
5. Opera:  1.60 – 1.57 = 0.03 percent
6. Others:  0.51 – 0.48 = 0.03 percent

COMMENTS:

My golly, there is a big surprise in these latest numbers.  Microsoft Internet Explorer’s boat is relatively stabilized but lost a few followers last month.  Its global market share slid lightly from 54.05 to 54.02 percent.  Mr. Ballmer is optimistic that the launching of its latest Surface tablet could spark a revival in the fatigued browser.  That remains to be seen.

Mozilla’s Firefox did great in June.  It gained 0.35 percent in June clawing its way back to a solid second place.  Although Google Chrome remains to be a close contestant.

Google Chrome was the clear loser last month. It slid backwards a walloping 0.50 percent market share; a disappointing performance.  However there’s still a lot of momentum for this behemoth who knows how to play hardball.  Google knows how to play hard.  They recently launched a Chrome app for Apple’s iPad and iPhone and also made a splash in the market by announcing the Nexus 7 tablet at $199.00 strongly competing with Amazon’s Kindle Fire.  I’m expecting a robust next month for Chrome.

Apple Safari reversed it downward trend and gained 0.11 in June which is not bad, considering the stiff competition.  The iPad and iPhone are galloping gallantly which will surely thrust Safari forward.  Everybody knows that Apple is a formidable player who knows how to play its cards.

Norwegian Opera remained relatively stagnant in June, although it advanced 0.03 percent.  There were  rumors in the Cloud that Facebook was preparing to gobble it up.  I haven’t heard anything new, which probably means it was just that—a rumor.

I love to watch the horses running the Browser’s Derby.  It’s always unexpected—anything can happen.  Looking forward for July’s performances.  Until then, Good Day.

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Major Web Browsers Global Performance – October 2010

October is gone.  Halloween and its spooks are yesterday’s news.  It’s time to see something else, read something else, keep our minds busy.  Today millions and millions of viewers from all corners of the globe will be watching the mid-term elections in the United States.  I’m one of them, but I will also peep into the windows of the web browsers—Masters of the Universe.

As you probably know by now, my undisputed source regarding Web browsers is Net Applications. This company stands heads and shoulders above its closest competitors in the field of browsers and their performance.

 

Chrome sliced away another half a percentage point of usage share from rival browsers in October. (Credit: Data from Net Applications; chart by Stephen Shankland/CNET)

These are the latest statistics fresh from the oven of Net Application’s elves for October 2010:

1. Internet Explorer:  59.26 down 0.39 from 59.65 percent.
2. Firefox:  22.82 down 0.14 from 22.96 percent.
3. Chrome:  8.47 up 0.49 from 7.98 percent.
4. Safari:  5.33 up 0.06 from 5.27 percent.
5. Opera:  2.28 down 0.11 from 2.39 percent.
6. Others:  1.85 up 0.10 from 1.78 percent.

COMMENTS:

The bleeding trend continues at Microsoft. The band aids and other first aid kits haven’t been able to contain the hemorrhage.  They have been on a free fall for several months now, after a temporary bright spot during the summer. Microsoft is feverishly working on IE9, currently available in beta and platform preview editions, and its usage reached 0.3 percent in September.

Firefox has lost its compass and can’t find his way towards the finish line of the 25 percent landmark.  As time passes by, this accomplishment is fading away into the sunset.  They lost 0.14 percent in October while Internet Explorer dipped 0.39 percent.  Both are traveling to Mexico, if you know what I mean.

Chrome is emerging as the Goliath of the Web browsers.  It’s an unstoppable train traveling at full speed forward like the Orient Express.  I would like to highlight the fact that Chrome is the fastest-changing browser, since by default, updates are downloaded and installed automatically when the browser or computer is restarted.  This activity is invisible to the users’ eyes.  Google is working on releasing new Chrome versions more frequently, which means the number of changes in new versions diminishes. It also means the significance of the version number, which Google doesn’t emphasize and calls a mere “milestone,” is even lower.

Safari edged 0.06 upwards which not a big deal.  After the hoopla of MacBooks computers, specially the MacBook Air, I thought its browser would receive a shot in the arm.  It didn’t happen.  Chrome’s light is too bright to let Safari shine.  I’m sure Mr. Jobs is taking a close look at this situation.

Opera is going backwards instead of going forward.  It’s global market share performance decreased by 0.11 percent.  They seem to be focused on the mobile territory, where they are enjoying bright blue skies.  In the desktop arena, they have been stuck in quick sand.

In a nutshell, Google Chrome was the clear winner in October followed by Safari which barely increased its market share by a mere 0.06 percent.

Our next post on this subject will be on December.  Will Microsoft change its suicidal downward course?  Time will tell.  Good Day.

Source:  Top Browser Share Trend - Net Applications

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Major Web Browsers’ Global Markeshare – September 2010

I’m a curious guy.  As far as I can remember, I was always asking  all sorts of questions to my parents.  Why do we have waves?  Why are mountains blue?  How do stones have babies?  Asking…always asking.  This is a habit that will stick with me as long as I breathe.  That explains why I read so much.

This inquisitive characteristic reminds me of the following quote from Albert Einstein:

“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” He also once told LIFE magazine that “the important thing is not to stop questioning; curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when contemplating the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of the mystery every day. The important thing is not to stop questioning; never lose a holy curiosity.”

Now let me go back to today’s topic which is the performance of the leading web browsers.  Sorry for the digression, I got carried away.

According to Net Applications, the major browsers had the following global market share positions for September of 2010:

1. Internet Explorer:  59.65
2. Firefox:  22.96
3. Chrome:  7.98
4. Safari:  5.27
5. Opera:  2.39
6. Others:  1.75

COMMENTS:

In September, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer lost its momentum, even though it had a warm reception to its Internet Explorer 9 Beta version.  All versions of IE lost 0.75 points last month.  This figure took me  totally by surprise.  I thought the hemorrhage had been contained. Microsoft’s future performance in the browser market will likely depend on the success of IE 9, which was released in beta in mid-September.

Whether IE 9 will significantly increase Microsoft’s overall share of the browser market remains to be seen. A recent review by InformationWeek found that IE 9 was shaping up to be the best version of the browser yet.  However, the magazine also noted that very few of the new features were new to the market, and Microsoft was mostly catching up with Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Opera.

People have used Internet Explorer because it was on their computer and they knew it. Now people are more agressive in trying out and using other browsers.

Some pundits agree that Microsoft Internet Explorer’s global market share will probably settle somewhere in the high 30′s low 40′s percent wise.

Mozilla Firefox slammed on the brakes in August and remained practically stagnant in September.  It gained a feeble 0.03 percent in September.  The groundbreaking goal of twenty-five percent is now a faint mirage, which is becoming more and more evasive.

Google Chrome is an unstoppable train travelling at supersonic speed.  They said they would be a leading force in the industry, and have kept their word.  They currently have a solid third place and growing considerably every month.  Last month their global market share escalated 0.46 percent.  Their immediate goal is attaining second place, and then winning the gold.  I think they can do it.  They have both  the talent and deep pockets to become the undisputable leader in the browsing arena.

Apple Safari is holding its ground thanks to the halo effect of the Macs, iPods, iPads and the ubiquitous iPhone.  With products like these, there’s only one way you can travel; and that’s North.  Safari increased its global position in September by 0.11 percent.  They have the wind blowing in their favor.

Norwegian Opera is hanging in there.  Even though they’re not growing in the desktop and laptop markets, Opera is doing  fine with mobile phones and other gadgets.  Browsing on mobile devices is now 2.8 percent of all browsing.  The trend shows a continuous increase in mobile browsing, while game console browsing remains steady.  After installing a Wi-Fi wireless network at home, I’ve been using Opera Mini in my Chinese cellphone.  The experience exceeded my expectations.  Apple Safari pales in comparison with the amazing power of Opera Mini.    I can browse the web within the small touch screen using my fingers—it’s easy as pie.

I’m curious to find out, what will be the mainstream reaction to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 9 Beta.  I understand Microsoft is coughing a lot of money to make it as user-friendly as possible.  They have made up their minds to fight tooth and nail to keep their first place.  It will be a tough battle ahead where only the most innovative player will win.  Good Day.

Source:  Net Applications

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Major Web Browsers Global Market Share – July 2010

It’s amazing how far reaching the Internet has become.  The Cloud, as it is called, has permeated into just about every activity of our modern societies.  It’s like a technological hub where different technologies converge, (e.g., radio, television, telephone, fax and whole lot more.)  The vehicle to reach the Cloud is the Web browser, and for this reason alone, the war to capture global market share has grown more intense during the last few years.

Net Applications is a company that best monitors the industry and is respected by experts in the field.  Below are the latest statistics released by Net Applications for the month of July 2010.  Let’s see the latest picture.

1. Internet Explorer:  60.74
2. Firefox:  22.91
3. Chrome:  7.16
4. Safari:  5.09
5. Opera:  2.45
6. Others:  1.66

COMMENTS:

Microsoft has done it again—it has reversed Internet Explorer’s declining trend for two consecutive months.  In July it gained 0.42 market share points which is amazing.  The hemorrhage has been finally stopped.  Microsoft’s capacity to spin on a dime is legendary.  On several occasions Microsoft’s resilience has been demonstrated.  They are known to have clawed back to their original dominance of a market with a tooth and nail attitude.

Microsoft Internet Explorer has experienced a long slow browser usage market share decline featuring challenges from Firefox on Windows, Safari on Mac OS, Opera in Europe and Asia, and recently Google Chrome has been making some noise.

But, Microsoft has been very determined in their desires to ensure Internet Explorer remains the dominant browser.  They have moved some of their most talented engineering and management talent to Internet Explorer, have been releasing feature and security updates much more frequently, and finally have been advertising it.

Internet Explorer 8, the currently available version, has become the most used browser version in the world, and has given users confidence that Microsoft is truly focused on optimizing the Internet Explorer user experience.  Microsoft has also been very open with the development of IE9, due later this year and promising to deliver huge browser rendering speed improvements. Their next challenge is to strike on Apple’s darling—the iPad with Safari built in.  Apple is the first company to make the tablet attractive to the masses.

Mozilla Firefox is now reversing its trend, but in a negative way.  It lost 0.90 points in July—almost one whole point.  This was really a surprise—at least for me it was.  Firefox needs to put its act together and align its resources to combine amazing hardware, easy to use OS, an application delivery model with tons of options, book reader, games, productivity, and at least one compelling reason for customers to not choose the iPad to be truly competitive.  They need to monitor closely the emerging market of mobile devices.  That’s where the growth potential lies.

Google Chrome has decreased its drive and lost 0.08 points in July.  No big deal, but it shows that they are mortals and can be slowed down.  I’m sure they’ll be back with renovated strength.  They are also determined to become the dominant player in the browser’s domain.  They have all the money in the world to do it—plus the know how to back them up.

Apple Safari had a good performance and increased their global market share by 0.24 points.  They are continuing their rampant success in the mobile platforms.  There seems to be no obstacle for the huge success of the iPad, and their recent launch of the iPhone 4 was spectacular.  Even with the minor inconvenience of the faulty antenna, the gadget is still selling like hot cakes.  This impressive success of these products is trickling down to Safari browser and the numbers certainly show this situation.

Norwegian Opera is still chugging along—it gained 0.18 points in July.  They have planted their flag and have demonstrated to be a tough bone to chew.  Their presence in the mobile domain is absolutely intimidating to its competitors.  I don’t foresee any problems in the near future for Opera in this market.  They excel heads and shoulders over their competitors, with the exception of Apple which is doing extremely well with the iPhone and the iPod, as I mentioned earlier.

That’s the way I see things now; however anything can happen in this dynamic cut-throat scenario.  Now it’s time to wait for August figures and see what happens.  Till then, Good Day.

Source:  Net Applications

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Major Web Browsers Global Market Share – June 2010

(Credit: Data from Net Applications, Chart by Stephen Shankland/CNET.)

As the Cloud becomes the universal depository of  information, Web browsers are becoming essential information tools.  People are increasing the use of their Web browsers over their computer hard disks.  The computer desktop is no longer the sweet spot for savvy IT professionals.  The trend is to substitute the hard disk with the Web. This is why the major Web browsers are in an intense race to become more stable, secure and fast.  Speed is now a major factor to differentiate Web browsers.

Due to the decisive role of Web browsers, I keep a close watch of what is going on in this domain.  Net Applications is the best place to search for information about the performance of these applications.  Below are the latest statistics provided by Net Applications for the month of June 2010.  Statistics represent percentages (%).

1. Internet Explorer:  60.32
2. Firefox:  23.81
3. Chrome:  7.24
4. Safari:  4.85
5. Opera:  2.27
6. Opera Mini:  0.66
7. Other:  0.85

COMMENTS:

June was an excellent month for Microsoft.  After a long period of drought, Internet Explorer finally reversed its downward trend.  In June, its global market share increased 0.57 points—from 59.75 to 60.32.  This hike occurred at the expense of Mozilla Firefox which lost .51 percent.  The landmark of the 25 per cent market share seems like a distant mirage.  Internet Explorer’s unexpected rebound was buoyed by increasing usage of IE8 that offset the decline in IE7–and by what Web developers no doubt hope will be only a temporary pause in the decline of the despised IE6.

Some of IE8′s gains probably can be ascribed to the growing use of Windows 7, which ships with that browser and is showing some signs of finally being a successor to Windows XP that people actually are embracing. Net Applications showed that the browsing usage of Windows 7 climbed from 12.7 percent to 13.7 percent from May to June; Windows Vista dropped from 15.2 percent to 14.7 percent; and Windows XP dropped from 62.6 percent to 62.4 percent.

Third-place Chrome climbed from 7.04 percent to 7.24 percent from May to June.  Google is determined to back Chrome with its deep pockets in an effort to use it as a technological platform to run popular Cloud applications such as Google Mail, Google News, Google Docs and many other products accumulating in their digital warehouse.  Google is working hard to diversify its profit generating activities from Google Search and Google Ads to Google Books, Google Music, Google Phone and other products following the successful path of Apple, the company with a Midas touch.

In fourth place, Apple’s Safari rose from 4.77 percent to 4.85 percent, and Opera slipped from 2.43 percent to 2.27 percent.  With the launching of Apple’s iPad it’s expected that Safari should receive a strong push forward.  I was surprised Opera slipped in June.  Both, Opera for desktops and Opera Mini lost global market share in June.  I can’t understand what happened with this innovative Norwegian software which was doing very well in the cellphone arena.

The browser battles are shifting in direction dramatically as mobile phones and devices such as the iPad extend Web usage well beyond PCs. And things are very different on mobile devices.  Opera has years of experience on mobile devices, and indeed its Opera Mini version comes close to the regular computer version of Opera in terms of browser usage. Apple’s Safari works on iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches, and Apple at least partially bans other browsers.

Mozilla is working on a mobile version of Firefox for Android and high-end Nokia phones and just submitted a tool to the Apple App Store it hopes will keep the desktop version of Firefox in sync with Apple iOS-based browsers. Google lets other browsers on devices with the Android operating system, but it comes with a browser as well.

As  you can see, there is never a dull moment in Web browsers territory and I couldn’t be happier.  Let’s wait and see what July has in store for us.  Good Day.

Source:  Net Applications – Top Browsers Share Trend

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Major Web Browsers Global Market Share – May 2010

The calendar page has turned once more.  It’s now June.  Soon we will be singing Christmas carols while contemplating our presents neatly stacked under the glittering Christmas tree.   Ho, Ho, Ho.  And the sand clock, continues to drip its minuscule grains of sand.

Since another month is gone, it’s time to see what Net Applications has brought us regarding the relentless race amongst the Web browsers players.  For me, this race is very exciting to watch.

These are the numbers, fresh from the oven.  Market share positions are expressed in percentages.

1. Internet Explorer 59.69
2. Firefox:  24.35
3. Chrome:  7.05
4. Safari:  4.77
5. Opera 2.43
6. Opera Mini:  0.74
7. Others:  0.96

COMMENTS:

Microsoft’s Internet Explorer can’t seem to stop its hemorrhage.  Last month its market share dropped 0.26 points.  Microsoft has been trying to rid the world of Internet Explorer 6, introduced in 2001 and now considered outmoded, slow, and insecure. Even though IE lost share overall, Microsoft can point to progress in upgrading: The various versions of IE8 accounted for 28.9 percent of usage.

Mozilla’s Firefox seems to be losing its steam.  Efforts made to break the 25 percent landmark were lost.  It has been losing ground for two consecutive months.  The nearest it has advanced to break the elusive goal of 25 percent was in November 2009, where it clawed its way to 24.72 percent—a very short distance to reach the final golden goal line.

The clear winner during May’s race was Google’s Chrome. It gained 0.32 points.  Chrome launched in September 2008, but it wasn’t until the latter half of 2009 that the browser got its legs under it.  If Chrome grows a full percentage point every two months, it will crack 10 percent market share by Dec. 1, solid growth for a browser that launched in September 2008.  There is no reason to think Chrome can’t crack double digits this year. Google is more aggressively advertising the browser on Websites such as ESPN.com and the New York Times.  Its solid third place is well earned.

Fourth-place Safari from Apple rose 0.1 percentage points to 4.77 percent.  Safari hangs around as the browser for Macs and should get traction from the iPad, which has sold more than 2 million units in two months.  Net Applications also released statistics for iPad use, showing gradual gains since the Apple tablet’s release. With the iPad now for sale internationally, usage peaked May 29 with 0.17 percent.

Norwegian-made Opera kept its ground in May.  It still hold fifth place after gaining 0.13 points last month.  This player has worked hard to maintain a reputation of an innovative competitor and willing to fight tooth and nail to attract more users to its camp.  It has performed extremely well in the mobile arena where it holds a predominant position.

The browser market has become hotly competitive with new features being built in to support new Web standards. Even Microsoft, long considered a technology laggard even as its browser dominated, is back in the game with aggressive work developing IE9.

I’m still looking forward to see Firefox reach the Magic Kingdom of 25 percent.  Good Day.

Source:  Net Applications

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Major Web Browsers Global Market Share – April 2010

April is gone and we plunge into the new month of May.  The dry season is practically over, and the first rains are here.  I feel so good for this change of season.  I was frying up like a fish with April’s extreme hot temperatures.  Now the temperatures are lot cooler; thanks God.

As you probably know, after a month is over, one of the first things I do is go over to Net Applications to find out what was the performance of the main web browsers.  I just can’t resist the temptation of finding out what went on during the previous month.  These are Net Applications’ statistics for April 2010 expressed in percentages:

1. Internet Explorer:  59.95
2. Firefox:  24.59
3. Chrome:  6.73
4. Safari:  4.72
5. Opera:  2.30
6. Opera Mini:  0.79
7. Others:  0.91

COMMENTS:

Microsoft Internet Explorer market share continued its free fall in April, now in use for fewer than three in five Web connections.  IE’s global market share in April was 59.95, down from 60.65 percent in March.

Google’s Chrome grabbed the lion’s share of that, increasing to 6.73 from 6.13 percent, while Firefox also gained nearly a tenth of a percentage point, to finish April with 24.59 percent.  Once again, Firefox failed to reach the expected 25 percent landmark.

The decline for IE at the expense of Google and Mozilla is the continuation of several years of market share losses for Microsoft. In May 2008, Microsoft had 75.94 percent of the market, while Firefox had 18.3 percent and Google’s Chrome wasn’t even out yet.

Even a year ago, Microsoft’s market share was nearly 8 percentage points higher. Since then, Google, Mozilla, and Apple have all further eroded Internet Explorer’s share of the market.

Safari and Opera held their ground during April.  I was expecting a hike in Safari as a result of the loud buzz in the market with the launch of the iPad into the wild and the disclosure of Apple’s financial performance for  its first quarter.  It didn’t happen, I wonder why?

In a nutshell,  Internet Explorer is leaking red ink all over the place, while Chrome is advancing full speed ahead.  Firefox just can’t seem to find the elusive 25 percent finish line.  The waiting game begins for May’s figures.  Good Day.

Source:  Net Applications Top Browser Share Trend

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Major Web Browsers Global Market Share Performance – December 2009

After the dust and the champagne has settled down following the frantic days of Christmas and New Year, it’s time to analyze the performance of the major Web browsers cut-throat race.  It’s red hot and it will get even hotter.  Everyone wants to be the king of the hill, top of the heap.  I’m depending on Net Applications for my statistics, the best source to monitor web browsers performance around.

Net Applications measures browser usage share by tracking the systems used to visit the 40,000 sites it monitors for clients, which results in a pool of about 160 million unique visitors per month.

These are the standings for December 2009.

1. Internet Explorer:  62.69 percent
2. Firefox:  24.61 percent
3. Chrome:  4.63 percent
4. Safari:  4.46 percent
5. Opera:  2.40 percent
6. Opera Mini:  0.53 percent
7. Others:  0.67 percent

COMMENTS:

Microsoft Internet Explorer is on a free fall losing 0.93 percent in December, the latest slip in a decline that accelerated during the second half of 2009.  IE lost an average of 0.94 of a percentage point in each of the last six months of the year, nearly triple the 0.36 of a point average during the first six months.  The relentless decline of IE has been a boon to rivals, of course, which have collected new users at Microsoft’s expense. The market shares posted by Safari, Chrome and Opera were all records, for example.

Projecting IE’s slide using Net Applications’ data, Computerworld now estimates that the browser will fall under the 50 percent  share mark as early as mid-May if the dramatic negative trend of the last three months holds true.

Mozilla’s Firefox lost 0.1 of a percentage point, finishing with 24.6 percent, delaying for at least another month the No. 2 browser’s move past the 25% milestone.  This was a total surprise for me.  Totally unexpected.

Google’s Chrome overtook Apple’s Safari to become the world’s third-most popular browser just 16 months after its debut.  Chrome’s December increase of 0.7 of a percentage point, the largest since Google launched the browser in September 2008, may have been partly fueled by the release three weeks ago of beta versions for Mac and Linux.

Apple’s Safari was bumped to fourth place for the first time by Chrome.  Apple’s  Safari, which dropped into fourth place for the first time, posted a share of 4.46%.  Although it fell to the No. 4 spot, Safari didn’t stand still last month: It picked up 0.1 of a percentage point.

Opera Software’s flagship browser also gained ground in December, and accounted for 2.4% of all browsers used in the month, a record for the Norwegian-made program.  Opera is finally gaining global recognition after having a spectacular performance in the mobile phone arena.  I was surprised to see that the browser included in my recently purchased Chinese iPhone clone was precisely Opera.  Safari was also there.

Mobile browsing now accounts for 1.3 percent of all browsing.  The biggest usage share winners this holiday season were mobile devices.  Both Windows and Mac devices lost a small amount of share in December, while all major mobile operating systems attained large percentage gains.

Will Mozilla Firefox break the 25 percent barrier in January?  Let’s wait and see.  Until then, Good Day.

Source:   Net Applications

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Major Web Browser Market Share – November 2009

November has come and gone faster than you can wink an eye.  December is following the same trend.  Soon we will be watching the descending apple at Times Square in New York City.

I have just reviewed Net Application’s statistics for November 2009 which are very interesting if you like monitoring the performance of web browsers.  I’m passionate about this subject.

These are November 2009 statistics expressed in percentages:

1. Internet Explorer:  63.62
2. Firefox:  24.72
3. Safari:  4.36
4. Chrome:  3.93
5. Opera:  2.31
6. Opera Mini:  0.46
7. Other:  0.60

Comments:

It’s no surprise that Mozilla Firefox continues to snap at Microsoft’s heels.  Firefox is ready to break the 25 percent landmark, maybe next month.  This is an outstanding performance, considering Mozilla is fighting a  formidable behemoth in the industry, famous for blowing its contenders dead in the water.  Internet Explorer has lost its traditional mojo.  Its glory days are gone, if you ask me.

Safari slipped a bit in November, but I’m sure it’ll keep gaining ground.  The “halo effect” of the iPhone will keep the momentum going.  Reading the tea leaves, I foresee clear blue skies for Apple in the near future.

The 800-pound gorilla of the 21st Century is doing fine with Chrome. It gained 9.8 percent in November keeping a solid fourth place in global market share.  Somewhere inside the Mountain View Chocolate Factory, Google’s elves are busy working on the next version of Chrome.  They plan to use it as an operating system to replace Microsoft Windows.

Opera is the clear winner in November.  Finally, mainstream users are taking notice of this persistent Norwegian Web browser.  It grew at the rate of  6.5 percent in November.  An excellent performance pushed by its influence in the mobile phone industry.  Take notice that Opera Mini has captured a walloping 0.46 percent global market share equivalent to a jump of 31.4 percent from previous month.  I was shocked to see that.

Without doubt, a major force in the browser wars is the move to mobile.  The iPhone has proven that people will browse from their mobile device if the browser and device can provide a similar user experience to a computer.  Mobile browsing is projected to grow substantially in the years to come, so this may be the next big battle ground for browser providers.  Opera is aiming its guns at this emerging market and so is Google.

I recently extracted this piece of news regarding the browsers’ race which gives a pretty good picture of what’s going on in this cut-throat scenario.

Anyone who may have thought the death of Netscape would signal the end of the browser wars, boy were they mistaken. In fact, it could be argued that it was at that point it all began. It didn’t take long for Mozilla’s Firefox to emerge from Netscape Navigator’s ashes, and over time, Firefox would win over enthusiasts with a potent combination of speed, security, and an unprecedented level of customization.

“But what started as a two-man battle is quickly growing into all-out warfare. Prepare to be overwhelmed by an onslaught of new browser releases in the coming months as Microsoft, Mozilla, Apple, Opera Software, and Google all vie to provide your vehicle for navigating the web. Each one brings something new to the table, whether it be blazing fast performance or a unique feature-set. Don’t worry if you haven’t been paying attention—we jump in the trenches with whole lot of them and get to know each one on a personal basis.

Netscape may have died an untimely death at the hands of Microsoft, but its soul lives on. We’re talking about the open-source Gecko rendering engine, which started life at Netscape in 1997 and has been used with every version of Firefox. Gecko’s main advantage is that it was built specifically to support open internet standards, but is also adept at rendering most web pages built for IE. The cross-platform engine also boasts support for a wide range of operating systems.

Also starting life at Netscape is Firefox’s SpiderMonkey Javascript engine written in C. It’s the same engine Yahoo uses for its Widgets, and can also be found in various other applications.

Simply put, no other browser boasts the same level of versatility and customization options as Firefox. To date there are over 6,000 add-ons available and more than 600 themes to choose from.”

I can’t wait for December figures to find out if Firefox broke the 25 percent landmark.  That would be a great present for my Xmas. tree.  Good Day.

Source:  Net Applications

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Opera Upgrades to Version 10 Turbo

(Credit: Opera Software ASA Corporation)

After three Beta and one RC versions, Norwegian Web browser Opera has been  upgraded to Version 10 Turbo.  There are three major things you must try in Opera 10:

1. Opera Turbo, a new compression technology that solves the pain of slow connections.
2. A sleek and beautiful interface.
3. Better tabs, from the original pioneer Opera continues pioneering new ways to use tabs.

Opera 10 includes other refinements to help you maximize productivity and get more from your Web-browsing experience.  When Opera was learning to crawl, I installed it in a 386 system and had a good time with it.  That was before Firefox, Flock, Chrome and Safari came along.  Then I decided to call it quits and installed Firefox and Flock as my main browsers.

I have to admit the Opera people have been stubbornly persistent in innovating its product to compete with the big guys, but so far they have been unsuccessful.  Their market share for August 2009, according to Net Applications is only 2.04 per cent,  behind Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Internet Explorer. They’re having a better experience in the cellphone and other gadgets domain.

If you are interested in downloading Opera 10, please click here. Good Day.

Source:  Opera 10 browser is here - cnet download.com

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