Several small browser manufacturers have recently petitioned the European Commission

Summary: Microsoft launched on March 1, "Browser selection interface" To Apple Safari, Google Chrome, Microsoft IE8 and Mozilla Firefox browser placed in the center of the interface, which led many users do not know to drag the interface can also see more browser options.

Beijing Time March 6 news, according to foreign media reports, a number of small browser manufacturers recently to the European Commission to launch a petition, accusing the current European Windows users "Browser selection interface" is unfair, and asked to modify the interface.

Several small browser makers, including Slimbrowser, Avant, Force, Flock, Sleipnir and green browsers, said Microsoft's "Browser selection Interface", launched on March 1, will Apple Safari, Google Chrome, Browsers such as Microsoft IE8 and Mozilla Firefox are placed in the center of the interface, causing many users to be unaware that dragging the interface can also see more browser options. The small browser makers say the EU requires Microsoft to allow Windows users to choose their favorite browsers from 12 of the most widely used browsers, but the interface layout is clearly unfair.

Microsoft's browser selection interface for Windows 7, XP, and Vista operating systems has grown significantly in some browsers since it was released in Europe. For example, opera browsers have increased their downloads by more than twice times in Belgium, France, Spain, Poland and the UK.

A small browser manufacturer said in a statement: "Obviously, the final selection interface leads most users to think that only 5 browsers are available." This goes against the EU's stated goal of providing 12 of the most widely used browsers for European users, allowing users to easily download and install one or more of them. ”

"We are not asking for a reassessment or a drastic change to the selection interface, requiring only text or similar logos to be added to the interface, so that ordinary users realize that there are more options on the right side of the center interface," the statement said. ”

Suggestions from these browser vendors include more browser choices on the right side of the screen, a graphical display similar to arrows, or a menu option in the selection interface, either above or below the interface.

Browser vendors expect 192 million PC users to see the browser selection interface through Automatic Updates by April this year. "Therefore, a speedy resolution of this issue will help European users find and consider using all the browsers proposed by the European Union." ”

Shawn Halding Shawn Hardin, the browser's flock chief executive, said the selection interface was particularly important for small browser vendors. "We can't compete with big browser vendors in terms of funding, so this selection interface is very important," he said. And the final layout of the selection interface is extremely disappointing. ”

Microsoft, for its part, says the current browser-selection interface reflects the European Commission's will. "In fact, Microsoft cannot unilaterally make changes to the browser selection interface because the current interface is based on a lot of advice from the industry and the European Commission," said Kevin Kutz, head of public affairs at Microsoft, Kevin Kutz. Want to find a balance between browser vendors with large market share and small browser vendors. The final interface reflects the European Commission's willingness to seek a balance. ”

"If you select an interface that displays too many browsers, users are likely to feel cumbersome, causing some users to give up their choice and skip the entire browser selection interface," the European Commission said in a paper released last December 16. Highlighting the five browsers and displaying the layout of the other seven browsers after the user drags the screen reflects the current market situation. ”