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15 Mar 2011
In spite of a warm initial reception from pundits, Microsoft's Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) browser is unlikely to have an immediate impact on the enterprise market.
Microsoft is releasing the latest version of Internet Explorer to the public early Tuesday. The browser sports improved performance and support for HTML5 along with additional security features to help protect user privacy.
Industry analysts said that while the browser brings encouraging and much-needed updates from Microsoft, existing factors will limit its ability to move into the business space.
Ovum principal analyst Richard Edwards said that as far as the enterprise is concerned, he believes the release will be considered a "non-event".
"This is largely because IE9 does not run on Windows XP, the operating system running on 67 per cent of corporate desktops," noted Edwards.
"Organisations with public-facing web sites will probably try to encourage consumers to use the more capable, web standards-compliant IE9 in order to make life easier for their web developers and to wow them with a richer experience, but non-technical users will probably wait until Microsoft pushes the browser out in a Windows service pack," he added.
Gartner analyst David Smith told V3.co.uk that while he agrees uptake among business users will be slow, compatibility with Windows XP will be less of a factor than traditional adoption patterns.
Smith explained that in general consumers and home users will adopt new technologies at a faster pace than more tightly-controlled enterprise IT environments.
"Even if it weren't something that couldn't run on XP you are not going to see rapid adoption," he said.
Edwards predicted that the browser would be a hit with web developers and high-end consumer users, while Smith said that the release would help Microsoft in its market-share battle with rivals such as Firefox and Chrome.
"It is an important release in that Microsoft has been losing share in browsers for many years," said Smith.
"This is an indication that they are taking it really seriously, it puts the performance issues to rest finally."
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MS IE9 is the MOST compliant HTML5 Browser - W3C Says so
Seriously, get off the MS doesn't do standards bandwagon... The World Wide Web Consortium (you know...the one responsible for THE standard) has stated that IE9 RC was the most compliant HTML5 browser. The reason IE rules the corporate world is because "other" browsers cannot be administered en-mass through centralised policy. I can control X browser configurations as the click of a mouse...where X is any number you please...10, 100, 1000000?). When those other browsers (and ignorant people) realise there is more to the picture than just the end user experience, then perhaps those other browsers will make in roads into the corporate space. Seriously, make a comment only when you understand the landscape...
Posted by: Nathan 16 Mar 2011
Standards are 1/2 the battle
Implementing standards is only 1/2 of the reason people are turning away from IE. IE is the default browser that comes with Windows so there has to be some reason people have to go out of their way to install something else. I believe the reason is IE just hasn't had as many features as the browsers that have been stealing the marketshare away (firefox and chrome). Also IE has a bad rap from many tech saavy folk for being a virus magnet because of earlier versions having problems in this department. So once they follow standards and match the competing features and continue delivering a secure browsing experience that isn't slow or cludgy, people will switch, but not until then.
Posted by: James 16 Mar 2011
IE9 doesn't work with XP
As you stated in your article... IE9 doesn't work with Windows XP so I'll continue to use Firefox 3 and wait for the soon to be released Firefox 4. Every single friend and family member I know uses either Chrome or Firefox right now and they really have no reason to switch to IE9. I have no intention of "upgrading" to Windows 7 in the future. I'm currently using Windows XP and my next upgrade will be Ubuntu Linux so I'll continue to use Firefox in the future.
Posted by: Bruce 15 Mar 2011
Until Microsoft is willing to implement web standards
Until Microsoft is willing to implement true web standards, newer versions of IE has been, and always will be a second choice - This is why IE 5.5/6 just won't go away in much of the corporate world. The point of standards it to allow things to act/work/display the same regardless of the operating system or browser. Microsoft for far too long has tried to protect their "turf" by doing their own thing. Stick with the standards MS, implement the standards *FIRST*, then add in your own flavoring. If you do that, I'm sure you will start to get that browser market share back - and then we can finally pay our respects and bury IE5.5/6.
Posted by: Greg 15 Mar 2011