But it will still be non-free, and probably won't sync history/bookmarks/open tabs with mobile, except perhaps windows phone. And it only works on windows.
I don't see what would entice users to switch from Firefox or chromium or opera (or midori, konqueror, etc) to a new Microsoft browser.
Its probably still worth telling users not to use internet explorer, just in case they ever end up buying a Mac or Linux PC, and out of principle to support free software.
Its good to see competition, but I theorize that this will hurt Mozilla and benefit Google and Microsoft. The quality of chrome has been stagnating recently due to its large market share, while Firefox has been steadily advancing (because Mozilla's primary agenda is to move the web forward). Users have started a slow migration back to Firefox, which I love. A good internet explorer, paired with effective marketing, could threaten chrome and force google to get their act together, ending the Firefox rennaissance.
But realistically I don't see Microsoft marketing this effectively, and internet explorers reputation as a piece of crap will haunt it for years to come.
Personally for me? I am deeply concerned that internet explorer becomes not terrible.
People would be stupid enough to then use it.
Then microsoft would have more clout.
They would immediately use that clout to cause enormous industry problems, push bad standards, fail to comply with open ones, push windows specific extensions, ect ect ect.
I am 100% concerned that internet explorer might not suck. If that happened, the internet would be in a much worse place.
I don't see what would entice users to switch from Firefox or chromium or opera (or midori, konqueror, etc) to a new Microsoft browser.
Its probably still worth telling users not to use internet explorer, just in case they ever end up buying a Mac or Linux PC, and out of principle to support free software.
Its good to see competition, but I theorize that this will hurt Mozilla and benefit Google and Microsoft. The quality of chrome has been stagnating recently due to its large market share, while Firefox has been steadily advancing (because Mozilla's primary agenda is to move the web forward). Users have started a slow migration back to Firefox, which I love. A good internet explorer, paired with effective marketing, could threaten chrome and force google to get their act together, ending the Firefox rennaissance.
But realistically I don't see Microsoft marketing this effectively, and internet explorers reputation as a piece of crap will haunt it for years to come.