The battle for the best web-browser on the Internet is very important for a lot of companies because their top products aim to attract the majority of users. Mozilla's Firefox, Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Opera Browser and the recently-released Safari for Windows are the main competitors of the market. Every once in a while, the research companies are releasing advisories that describe one or another browser as the favorite application to win the competition. On the other side, the security firms publish advisories meant to inform us about the vulnerabilities discovered in some of the programs that might convince the users to choose another browser.

On Monday, another interesting research was published on the Internet by Market Share and concerning the browsers that are currently used by the Internet consumers. Entitled "Browser Market Share for June, 2007" the statistics showed us a clear winner: Internet Explorer. The famous Microsoft browser recorded a percentage of no less than 78.84 points. And that's not all! The main competitors recorded embarrassing results: Mozilla Firefox - 14.55 percent, Safari - 4.49 percent and Opera -0.91 percent.

However, please let me believe that Firefox has a little bit more potential than a browser able to record a 14.55 percentage. In the past, Firefox and Internet Explorer were evolving side by side and managed to remain in the spotlights as the best two browsers on the Internet.


The long-awaited handheld device iPhone seems to be the main cause for the Cupertino company's headaches because some of the Internet users noticed on Tueday that this attractive gadget is not compatible with 64-bit Windows Vista. Although there's no official statement regarding this problem, the official website of the iPhone says the device can work with Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate Edition; or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later. There is no 64-bit version of Windows Vista and, even if the product is compatible with it, some of the users might avoid buying it because the official information didn't mention the operating system.

However, Apple made a tiny mention of this incompatibility on the "iPhone: Minimum system requirements" page that offers quite a small-font information: "64-bit editions of Windows are not supported." Anyway, iPhone is a real market hit because the first days of availability brought huge sales for the Cupertino company that managed to make the handheld device one of the most awaited products released this year. And think that Leopard is not available yet…


The dispute between Google and Microsoft is not ended with the Redmond company's agreement to allow users to install third-party search tools into Windows Vista. As you might know, the Mountain View giant Google criticized Microsoft for not allowing the consumers to install third-party search applications such as Google Desktop, forcing them to use the built-in search technology. Microsoft agreed to update the operating system with new features that would enable the customers to use other programs as their default search utilities but Google wants even more. In a new filling issued on Wednesday, the Mountain View giant said that is has been closely analyzing the problem since it was first reported.

"As the developer of a major desktop search product and the company that brought the desktop search issue to the attention of the plaintiffs, Google has familiarity with the issues raised and is well positioned to provide information to the Court. Google worked with the plaintiffs for an extended period of time to ensure that Microsoft's violation did not go unaddressed, and nothing in Google's request for leave to participate as amicus curiae is inconsistent with the plaintiffs' fundamental role in enforcing the Final Judgment, as confirmed by the fact that none of the plaintiffs opposes Google's motion," it is mentioned in the filling according to ZDNet.


On Thursday, the Redmond based company announced a new private testing session that allows registered users to download and try the latest version of Windows Live OneCare 2.0 beta. As you know, OneCare is the security solution powered by Microsoft that is meant to protect users' computer of all kinds of threats such as viruses, spyware and malware. However, the tests conducted by several companies revealed that OneCare is not as efficient as it seems because it recorded extremely low marks for detecting and removing threats.

"The public premiere of Windows Live OneCare Beta (v2.0) is just around the corner, but you've been specially selected for an invitation to try the Windows Live OneCare Beta (v2.0) before it is available to the public," it is mentioned in the email invitation sent to numerous users. "We think you're going to like all the great things about Windows Live OneCare, and as a beta program participant you'll have the chance to try out all the new features first. We will send you relevant updates and information regarding your Windows Live OneCare beta participation and will not share your e-mail address with any third parties. The first notice you receive from us will include the option to discontinue further notices regarding Windows Live OneCare," the official page of the testing adds.


Friday brought a new sign that the competition between Google and Microsoft tends to become more important as the Redmond company improves Virtual Earth periodically with new data and functions. "This months publish is 26 terabytes. With it comes a new rendered map style that we've been calling 'hill shaded' which gives our road style maps the ability to convey elevation. Click the Image below to have a look," it is mentioned on the official blog of Virtual Earth.

Among the updated imagery, we can mention Canada, several locations from Europe such as Toulouse France, Eastbourne UK and numerous US zones including Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, Mobile, Phoenix (expanded), Arden, Denver (expanded), Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Tallahassee, Fort Myers, Tampa West, St Petersburg and Coral Gables.

A few weeks ago, Microsoft added a lot of new 3D terrain to Virtual Earth, making it a lot more competitive for Google Earth, the solution offered by the Mountain View company. As a reply, Google rolled out Street View, an innovative Google Maps function that offers street-level panoramas for free.