Finally, after a decade, Microsoft has settled EU antitrust charges by allowing Windows users to choose which Internet browser they want to use. This agreement with regulators is important because it's intended to prevent Microsoft's Internet Explorer from having an unfair advantage over competitors.By early 2010, PC owners who use Windows will see a screen asking them to choose from among as many as 12 browser options: Apple's Safari, Google’s Chrome, Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Mozilla's Firefox, Opera, AOL, Maxthon, K-Meleon, Flock, Avant Browser, Sleipnir and Slim Browser.
Already, Mozilla's Firefox browser has captured about 32% of the market for Web browsers, and Opera--which filed an EU antitrust complaint in 2007--has about 2%. Google's Chrome is approaching 4% market share. Once Windows users start making their choices, watch for dramatic changes in market share by mid-2010.
