Microsoft, and EU are going toe-to-toe over a new mandate that the European Commission is wanting to put on the corporation. Ok, it’s not really a ‘toe-to-toe’ fight, as much as it’s the EU Commission telling Microsoft to comply with their law or incur some wrath.

The requirement that the EU Commission is looking to impose, would require Microsoft to give its OS users options for web browsers on their PCs. Besides just Internet Explorer (IE). Jonathan Todd, spokesperson for EU Competition Commissioner had this to say:

“If the Commission’s preliminary conclusions as outlined in the recent statement of objections were confirmed, the Commission would intend to impose remedies that enabled users and manufacturers to make an unbiased choice between Internet Explorer and competing third party web browsers”

This isn’t the first time that the EU Commission has thrown the law book at Microsoft for only offering one program to its users. Microsoft was fined earlier, for only providing Windows Media Player to its users. Since, Microsoft has released Windows bundles providing different options for media players.

I’m quite torn by this whole set of events. I’ll always agree that competition in any market is a good thing. Specifically for the consumer. But is government involvement really necessary here? Where’s that fine line between monopoly, and just smart dominating business practices. It’s not as if Microsoft only allows Internet Explorer as the only workable option for browsing.

Then you have to ask, what browsers is Microsoft required to include? Should they set up shop for everyone, even the remote lone browsers no one has heard of?

Could this mandate start a Pandora’s Box effect in the computer world. I think if anyone should be eyeballing this closely, it’s Apple. You want to talk about a company that leaves few options to its users. Everything in the world of Apple is proprietary. How will this new line of thinking in the EU Commission fit in Apple’s world? While I’m not a huge fan of Microsoft, this singling out by the EU Commission is fishy, and leaves an unpleasant taste in my mouth.

What are your thoughts on the situation? Feel free to leave your comments below.

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When I worked at Best Buy, we had a small kiosk for Apple branded products. It always stood out, because Apple styled things differently than anything else in our store. Also, the kiosk had a specially trained Apple representative. They were never really part of the team, but from what I remember did a decent enough job.

Apple has done quite a bit to expand their retail presence, by showing up in more stores, while opening up more stores on their own. Microsoft looks to start following this trend as they’ve announced plans to show up in more retail stores.

I’m left questioning as to how opening a chain of retail stores could benefit Microsoft? It make sense for Apple because nearly everything the provide is proprietary. Meaning that when you shop with Apple, everything that you need to get started is done through Apple. From hardware, down to software.

Microsoft has a different way of monetizing their business. They generally sell their OS for use in other vendors. There’s very few products that Microsoft can actually ’sell’ in a retail store. Granted, they have expanded with their Zune, and the gaming console, Xbox 360.

I think that Microsoft could find success by opening up a vendor system in already open retail stores. Much like the Apple kiosk I mentioned before. Since Microsoft relies on so many products used on other systems, just having a presence to provide customers with information would be a viable option. Plus, it would be funny to see an Apple rep, and Microsoft rep duke it out in the middle of a Best Buy.

[via: Cnet]

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So, the third commercial is out from Microsoft. I’m pretty sure that’s 3 in a span of three weeks. That’s a pretty hefty ad campaign, I’m not sure if I’ve quite seen anything like it.

With the latest ad, Microsoft has turned the computer world into political mudslinging. One said the other wasn’t doing something right, then the offended releases a commercial countering the first and trying to make them look pretentious at the same time.

The commercial is a much better attempt than the first two. It still doesn’t say anything about Microsoft’s products, but atleast it makes sense and has a message to say. Definitely needs more Eva Longoria though.

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All I could muster is, ‘meh’, when I saw the 4th Generation being announced at Apple’s Let’s Rock event. Steve Jobs took the stage like he always does, to give us information about the new iPod line. I wonder if you’ll be as unimpressed as I was.

Does anyone honestly believe this is worth a purchase, especially if you already own a current gen iPod?

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