Perhaps, but that's mostly because people prefer Google. When you install Chrome it pops up asking what search engine you would like to use. What should Google do differently? Microsoft hides the default search provider in the initial setup behind a "choose custom settings" button.
Wow. The difference in the two images speak volumes.
I may be mistaken but, having happened to install Chrome several times recently, I'm pretty sur that they even randomize the order of the entries so as not to favor any one position. Can anyone confirm/disconfirm?
Also, I have the impression that a few microsoft products (MSN, live etc) will automatically change other browser's search engine to Bing. My girlfriend told me her "google changed" after installing MSN.
But maybe it was something else, as she's doesn't exactly knows what she's doing. Can anyone confirm that?
This happens with a lot of software, unfortunately. On the side, I do computer repair (and charge for it). I'd say about 30% of my calls are "my Google changed to Ask!" after installing FoxIt or Digsby etc.
I was hoping that charging people money would lead them to finding their own solutions for trivial problems, but instead it has just padded my beer fund. C'est la vie.
I believe there is often a check box asking if you want to change you default search engine to Bing, and its checked by default, so yes she might be right.
I'm a software engineer, and it took me a good 10 minutes to find the damn setting. I haven't used IE in a few years but had to fire it up to so some UI testing.
Gosh this definitely screams monopoly abuse to me.
I understand where your coming from, but IMO there is a world of difference between a call to action and making things worse to leverage your market dominance.
http://nyacomputing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/chrome-se...
vs
http://static.arstechnica.com/ie8_search.png