Vivaldi CEO calls on Microsoft to "do the right thing" and stop aggressive Edge pushing

[Nowak]

Sauce: https://www.neowin.net/news/vivaldi-ceo-calls-on-microsoft-to-do-the-right-thing-with-its-edge-browser-on-windows-10

Sauce 2: https://vivaldi.net/en-US/teamblog/220-it-s-time-to-do-the-right-thing-microsoft

 

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The CEO and co-founder of Vivaldi, Jon von Tetzchner, called out Microsoft in a blog post today, saying that it's too hard for users to change their default browser on Windows 10. The article also complains about the fact that upon upgrading to Windows 10, the default browser is automatically changed to Microsoft Edge.

 

Von Tetzchner says that he has a 72-year-old friend that was upgraded from "Windows 8 [sic] to Windows 10" without her consent. Her default browser was changed to Edge, "even though she had no interest in using it." Being a non-technical user, she was unable to change it back.

So, I guess enough is truly enough, and other browser developers are starting to call out Microsoft on their aggressive push for Edge in Windows 10, which goes as far as making it difficult for non-technical users to switch the default browser and advertising how much "better" it is through pop-up ads on your taskbar, should it still be pinned. Following this statement, Jon laid out a business plan of sorts for technology companies going forward:
 

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Our goal as technology companies should be to provide great software to our users. At the same time, we should accept that some users prefer software created by other companies. It is our responsibility to be fair to the users, and this is what should drive the technology industry forward. Stripping users of their ability to choose or forcefully limiting their options stalls progress. Focusing on building great products is what should drive us to excel.

This isn't the first time Microsoft has been criticized over their user Edge-ing, and so long as they continue to push Edge like this or lie about feature exclusivity, they will continue to receive criticism over how they're handling it. Finally, Jon concludes his post with the following statement:

 

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So here is my question to you, Microsoft. Where has the user’s absolute prerogative to make a choice gone? 

 

It is time to do the right thing. Stop stealing the default browser, accept user choice and compete on the merits.

I've personally used Edge for a bit, but it was nowhere near my liking. There are a lot of missing customization features that I'd consider important, like control over tab thumbnails or a download manager that actually makes sense, so I don't use it unless I absolutely have to. But what do you think? Do you agree with Jon von Tetzchner that Microsoft is being too aggressive with its push for Microsoft Edge? And, if so, does von Tetzchner's plan seem like a good strategy for businesses moving forward? Do you think that, if enough rival companies call them out on this, Microsoft will finally stop this behavior? We saw them retract the online requirements for the Xbox One, and re-add the Start menu (albeit in a different form), so anything is possible.

[Remixt]

Yeah, as a developer I find this obvious ploy really annoying. Even in Chrome when it asks if you want to change the default browser it forces you to do it manually after bringing up the proper page. In literally everything else programs can automate an entire process. 

[givingtnt]

fuck not just that, it forces notifications to say drive is full and windows can't download the forced updates.

[PlayStation 2]

I've never been able to change the default browser to Chrome on Windows 10, at least on my desktop.

I commend the CEO of Vivaldi for at least trying to get something through Microsoft's head.

[Mira Yurizaki]

Tell Google to stop telling me to "Experience a faster way to browse" whenever I go to their website on a non-Chromium based browser.

 

Or maybe they've finally stopped doing that.

[Nowak]

1 minute ago, M.Yurizaki said:

Tell Google to stop telling me to "Experience a faster way to browse" whenever I go to their website on a non-Chromium based browser.

 

Or maybe they've finally stopped doing that.

The difference is that Google doesn't aggressively push Chrome on you, saying "IT'LL PROTECT YOUR DATA BETTER!" or "USE CHROME FOR 36% BETTER BATTERY LIFE!" as long as it's pinned to your taskbar but isn't the default browser.

[Mira Yurizaki]

1 minute ago, Daring said:

The difference is that Google doesn't aggressively push Chrome on you, saying "IT'LL PROTECT YOUR DATA BETTER!" or "USE CHROME FOR 36% BETTER BATTERY LIFE!" as long as it's pinned to your taskbar but isn't the default browser.

I don't see those. Then again I mucked with my Settings enough to not receive those.

 

Though I would argue that often times when I install software that comes bundled with something, it's usually Chrome that's bundled.

[Trey222]

I would be more ok with it if Edge/Bing were not a pain to use. 

[Nowak]

5 minutes ago, wrathoftheturkey said:

Little too late?

It's never too late.

[NTDaws]

12 minutes ago, Dan Castellaneta said:

I've never been able to change the default browser to Chrome on Windows 10, at least on my desktop.

I commend the CEO of Vivaldi for at least trying to get something through Microsoft's head.

I know how. Sometimes even if u keep clicking it, it won't change, I have to manually change the protocols.

[NTDaws]

I fucking hate edge, it has so many issues. Opera ftw.

[Misanthrope]

MS should listen to this friendly advice, the EU commission might not be so friendly in their request as you might remember. 

[TidaLWaveZ]

Yeah but if Microsoft gives in then their competition will get the edge...

[Wolther]

Tell google to stop doing it too if we're gonna complain about edge 

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

21 minutes ago, Daring said:

The difference is that Google doesn't aggressively push Chrome on you, saying "IT'LL PROTECT YOUR DATA BETTER!" or "USE CHROME FOR 36% BETTER BATTERY LIFE!" as long as it's pinned to your taskbar but isn't the default browser.

Where does it ever say that...

[Doobeedoo]

Heh funny, was just watching new short vids about Vivaldi features

I never got any adds or such though, I mean I disabled everything that there is so. I get they want more people on Edge I've used it for a while, works great, though missing features and certain customization puts me off to check it other time. I was shocked when W10 launched how Edge was unfinished really, took them to this day to develop it further, and there is more to be done. Though to add it did ran fine in early days too, at least for me, didn't had major issues.

 

Hmm though never had issue with default app change really, once I installed Opera set it default all well. I also have Vivaldi alongside :3 
 

[Nowak]

1 minute ago, BlueChinchillaEatingDorito said:

Where does it ever say that...

http://www.nextpowerup.com/news/31469/microsoft-advertising-edge-browser-in-windows-10/

[vorticalbox]

24 minutes ago, Daring said:

The difference is that Google doesn't aggressively push Chrome on you, saying "IT'LL PROTECT YOUR DATA BETTER!" or "USE CHROME FOR 36% BETTER BATTERY LIFE!" as long as it's pinned to your taskbar but isn't the default browser.

no google just plaster every single part of their services with links to other service and tbf they did have a valid test and it did do better than chrome.

[Nowak]

1 minute ago, vorticalbox said:

no google just plaster every single part of their services with links to other service and tbf they did have a valid test and it did do better than chrome.

Alright, I'll give you that, they do plaster it everywhere.

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

1 minute ago, Daring said:

http://www.nextpowerup.com/news/31469/microsoft-advertising-edge-browser-in-windows-10/

So how is that different than Google constantly telling me to "Watch YouTube videos with Chome"? every time I go on YouTube.

[Nowak]

1 minute ago, BlueChinchillaEatingDorito said:

So how is that different than Google constantly telling me to "Watch YouTube videos with Chome"? every time I go on YouTube.

Touché. I think the reason why people are focusing on Edge rather than Chrome, though, is because Edge is bundled with the most-used operating system. Microsoft has a lot of power due to their position.

[vorticalbox]

1 minute ago, Daring said:

Alright, I'll give you that, they do plaster it everywhere.

it is how they get people to use their services. More annoying than anything.

 

on a side note is anyone just getting tired of companies and the way they want all of your data. Like take the latest ttl video about google wifi. It's shameless data farming and nothing more.

 

 

 

[vorticalbox]

2 minutes ago, Daring said:

Touché. I think the reason why people are focusing on Edge rather than Chrome, though, is because Edge is bundled with the most-used operating system. Microsoft has a lot of power due to their position.

could argue that google has the power with the most used search engine.

[Nowak]

1 minute ago, vorticalbox said:

could argue that google has the power with the most used search engine.

That is also true, Google has the largest search engine.

[Sakkura]

How hard is it to change the default browser on Win 10?

 

The only annoying thing is it sometimes goes back to Edge with major Windows updates. They should probably stop doing that.