Google Doesn't Like IE6, Phases Out Support for the Outdated Software
The latest version of the Microsoft-developed browser is Internet Explorer 8. It is faster, safer and better than previous IE versions. But do you think that most users have switched to it? Oh no, there are still quite a lot users out there browsing the web with the outdated IE6 (Internet Explorer 6).
To Microsoft’s credit, it has been trying to get users to switch. There was the revised first run behavior , the ads staring Dean Cain , the Live Nation optimized IE8 , support for 63 languages , the browser comparison chart , and the Browser for the Better campaign to name but a few. But what would really get users to switch is if Microsoft would just drop support for IE6.
Sadly though, the Redmond-based software giant is not prepared to do so. The thing is that IE6 came bundled with Windows XP. And as long as Microsoft continues to support XP, it will continue to support IE6 as well.
If Microsoft is not going to take drastic action, Google will. YouTube, the Google owned video sharing site has long ago announced that it would no longer support IE6. Now Google is taking it one step further by announcing that it will no longer support IE6 on its Google Docs and Google Sites services as of March 1. IE users that want to keep using the services will have to switch to newer versions, such as IE7 or IE8. Or perhaps to Firefox 3.X, Chrome 4.X or Safari 3.X.
“Many other companies have already stopped supporting older browsers like Internet Explorer 6.0 as well as browsers that are not supported by their own manufacturers. We’re also going to begin phasing out our support, starting with Google Docs and Google Sites. As a result you may find that from March 1 key functionality within these products -- as well as new Docs and Sites features -- won’t work properly in older browsers. 2010 is going to be a great year for Google Apps and we want to ensure that everyone can make the most of what we are developing. Please take the time to switch your organization to the most up-to-date browsers available,” announced Google Apps Senior Product Manager, Rajen Sheth.
To Microsoft’s credit, it has been trying to get users to switch. There was the revised first run behavior , the ads staring Dean Cain , the Live Nation optimized IE8 , support for 63 languages , the browser comparison chart , and the Browser for the Better campaign to name but a few. But what would really get users to switch is if Microsoft would just drop support for IE6.
Sadly though, the Redmond-based software giant is not prepared to do so. The thing is that IE6 came bundled with Windows XP. And as long as Microsoft continues to support XP, it will continue to support IE6 as well.
If Microsoft is not going to take drastic action, Google will. YouTube, the Google owned video sharing site has long ago announced that it would no longer support IE6. Now Google is taking it one step further by announcing that it will no longer support IE6 on its Google Docs and Google Sites services as of March 1. IE users that want to keep using the services will have to switch to newer versions, such as IE7 or IE8. Or perhaps to Firefox 3.X, Chrome 4.X or Safari 3.X.
“Many other companies have already stopped supporting older browsers like Internet Explorer 6.0 as well as browsers that are not supported by their own manufacturers. We’re also going to begin phasing out our support, starting with Google Docs and Google Sites. As a result you may find that from March 1 key functionality within these products -- as well as new Docs and Sites features -- won’t work properly in older browsers. 2010 is going to be a great year for Google Apps and we want to ensure that everyone can make the most of what we are developing. Please take the time to switch your organization to the most up-to-date browsers available,” announced Google Apps Senior Product Manager, Rajen Sheth.
