Google has taken the aggressive step of advising some of the people using its Gmail webmail to use Chrome or Firefox rather than Internet Explorer.
When users log into their Gmail using Internet Explorer a red text link appears at the top right of the page saying 'get faster Google Mail.'
If you click on the link then you are taken through to a Google answers page that suggests that you should use a faster browser.
The suggestions it makes are Google's own Chrome browser or Firefox 3.0.
We suggest you upgrade
"Browsers are getting faster and better at running web applications like Google Mail that use browser technology to its limits. In order to get the best Google Mail experience possible, we suggest that you upgrade your browser to one of the fastest Google Mail supported browsers that work on Windows," reads the text.
There is a proviso that IE8 is being worked on 'Note: A faster version of Internet Explorer, IE8, is in development and available in a beta release.'
Although not all users appear to be affected in our early investigation, at first glance it is a particularly aggressive approach from Google.
To actively push two browsers over the currently dominant Internet Explorer is far from the normal Google softly, softly approach – especially in a week where Internet Explorer has been beset by news of a major security problem.
It seems, however, that Google is only pushing users to the other browsers if they are currently using Internet Explorer 7. Those that are using Internet Explorer 6 are told to upgrade to either Chrome, Firefox or Internet Explorer 7 for a faster Google service.
Whether this is a silly overview on Google's part or an active push away from Internet Explorer by the search kings remains to be seen.
What is for sure, is that Google is sending out mixed messages to its users, depending on what version of browser they are using.
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Your comments (8) Click to add a new comment
thepingedhobbit
February 13th
8. Interesting really when you think that microsoft have also been denying access to Hotmail for users of Chrome. I guess it's all about karma really
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loki80537
December 22nd 2008
7. I didn't have this happen. Yes, Google suggested I move up to IE7 from IE6, but it didn't recommend Chrome. Perhaps it's random; perhaps it only occurs if you already have IE7.
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lovlid
December 19th 2008
6. Wow,Firefox and Apple fanboys much?
ablebobby,net nav was never any good.Hence its demise.
eevergas,of course, Firefox,Apple and google have never used aggressive tactics to get you to use their products,Oh wait!
thedogsjim,if you haven't had any problems,whats your point?
johnsonville,IE,just like the rest of the browsers is updated daily to keep it "up to date",again, "like the rest of the browsers".Is this done to hinder their users? I dont think so.
Being an IE and Firefox user (Ive tried Chrome,it needs more dev time) I cannot discern any speed difference between the two above anything like milliseconds.The only reason we know one is faster than the other is because magazine and tech sites say so after extensive - and above the normal users means - tests.Anyone really struggling with IE should look at the security on their computer,and that goes for Firefox users too,because thats not safe either.
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ablebobby
December 19th 2008
5. ZI have never used Explorer because I just dont like it. Back in the day I used NetScape Navigator, then switched to Firefox when it came out. FireFox RULES!
www.privacy.es.tc
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eevargas
December 19th 2008
4. This has been Microsoft policy for years, pushing messages like "Vendor recommend Windows Vista" (even on Dell Linux page) and "This site is better with Internet Explorer" or "This page only works on IE", so I'm glad that things are starting to change. If they want to be number 1 again, the better start working harder. We want good code not good advertisement!
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marknutter
December 19th 2008
3. What Google should do is force people who use IE6 to upgrade to IE7 if they want to use Google search. This would pretty much take care of the biggest problem web developers face in no time flat. It would be a public service.
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