OPEN

Microsoft launches a new browser. Google launches a new operating system. Sort of.

Microsoft released its Internet Explorer 7 beta yesterday (interestingly, the first result for Internet Explorer 7 in Google is the Microsoft IE7 blog). The new version of the browser is playing catch up with the likes of Flock and Firefox, open source browsers that have eroded its previously unassailable market share by offering tabbed page views, easier use of subscription feeds (RSS) and access to a host of add-on programmes.

I’ve downloaded the thing and have to say it looks very good indeed. I’m very used to using Firefox now, and it doesn’t offer all of the features (moveable tabs, a version of Performancing – but these could follow soon). Especially impressive is the integration of RSS feeds – Simon Dickson has a good description of how this works and how it competes directly with del.icio.us and Bloglines.

Meanwhile, The Register reported yesterday that Google was planning to distribute its own Operating System to compete with Microsoft’s core product, Windows. Actually its speculation, as Google refuses to say what its plans are. what we do know is that its engineers are playing with a popular version of Linux, Ubuntu. The Google version of the project  will be called Goobuntu.

As the Register puts it:

…entering the desktop software world would be a huge step. Making
Goobuntu as easy to use as XP will require a lot more development. It’s unlikely
to be ready for showtime any time soon, and it’s possible Google itself hasn’t
finalised where the project should go.