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Topic: Google

Google delivers another blow to Mozilla

Summary: It was bound to happen sooner or later -- today Google officially turned it's nose on Firefox by removing it's default status in "Google Pack". Instead of that popular open source browser, Google is now recommending Chrome to users that have Google Pack instead.

Garett Rogers

By Garett Rogers for Googling Google |

It was bound to happen sooner or later -- today Google officially turned it's nose on Firefox by removing it's default status in "Google Pack". Instead of that popular open source browser, Google is now recommending Chrome to users that have Google Pack instead.

This is the third blow that they have has delivered to Mozilla -- the one last strike would leave the company in a very difficult position.

The first blow to Mozilla was the actual launch of Google Chrome -- the browser was touted as being faster and more secure than the other popular browsers, and got a lot of press out of the gate. The browser was received well, except for the initial EULA hiccup soon after release.

Second, Google removed any sort of promotion for Firefox on Google properties -- including ads that were once found on the main page. Instead, Google has been advertising their new browser on some of their most popular properties.

The removal of Firefox (replaced with Chrome) is their third attack on Mozilla -- it's unclear how many people use Google Pack, but you can be sure most novice users who do won't be installing Firefox. Mozilla must be starting to wonder how aggressive Google is going to get with their new browser.

The last (and final, I think) move that Google could make would be to remove themselves as Mozilla's main source of income. About $60 million per year (that's around 85% of Mozilla's total income) comes from Google to ensure they remain the default search engine on the browser. Canceling this relationship could seriously damage Mozilla, unless a company like Microsoft decides to start giving their largest browser competitor the cash it needs to survive -- an unlikely, but possible scenario.

Topics: Google, Browser

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67 comments
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  • What is "Google Pack"?

    Never heard of it. Sounds like more crapware you can download and clog up your machine with. I think I'll pass - if I'm not missing it, I must not need it...
    Carrion
    Reply Vote

    • Google Pack is

      A bundle of programs that Google thinks all people should have: Google Earth, Picasa, Google Desktop, Adobe Reader, Firefox (up until now), etc.

      It's only about 9 or so programs, and none of them deserve the 'crapware' designation except perhaps Google Desktop.
      Lerianis
      Reply Vote

      • Adobe Reader not crapware?

        You don't think Reader is crapware? It's definitely bloatware, which makes it crapware in my opinion. I would avoid all of those apps in the Google Pack EXCEPT Firefox. All the rest are system clogging crap.

        As for Chrome, anything that automatically installs an "updater" app that a) didn't ask if you wanted it installed and b) doesn't uninstall if you remove the program it installed under is, by definition, malware.

        Chrome sucks, period.
        ccrashh2@...
        Reply Vote

        • Chrome and an updater

          That's a modified Chrome browser. The actual Chrome browser absolutely does not automatically update, period--it's tools/help/about, although naturally Secunia PSI will monitor for you. It never has automatically updated, which is a some hate, some love feature for most. It makes for a certain amount of automatic insecurity (most users aren't compulsive enough), but any automatic download or installer has the capacity to be badware. Including Windows Update.
          --Glenn
          oregonnerd13
          Reply Vote

      • Thanks, but no thanks

        Thanks for letting me know. I think I would rather pick the apps I want and download them individually instead of as part of a pack. Some of those apps I have no need for..
        Carrion
        Reply Vote

    • same here

      No one cares what is in Google Pack or not. I didn't get my Firefox that way.
      LBiege
      Reply Vote

    • An attempt to camouflage Google spyware

      Google must be stopped before it is too late. I would rather pay for Firefox than use Chrome.
      jorjitop
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Google delivers another blow to Mozilla

    It's its.
    dizzle@...
    Reply Vote

  • "an unlikely, but possible scenario." ??

    MS supporting Firefox is about as possible as peace in the Middle East. It's not going to happen.

    Either way, I don't think Google wants to pull their Firefox deal, both of them are making revenue from it.
    T1Oracle
    Reply Vote

    • Actually Microsoft do support Firefox...

      If you paid attention to what Microsoft are doing these days, you would see that they are fully supporting Firefox.

      All the new Windows Live products work fully with Firefox.

      Microsoft documentation is being updated to reflect references to Firefox and how to resolve any issues with Firefox when using it to access their 'products'.

      So yes, Microsoft does support Firefox... but peace in the middle east is never going to happen.
      GTRoberts100
      Reply Vote

    • Why? Weirder stuff's happened...

      Microsoft's invested in Apple... The very same ingrates who have been stabbing them in the back with their Mac Vs PC ad campaign...

      Let's be honest.. With the DOJ bearing down on them, Microsoft needs ALL the competition it can get..
      Wolfie2K3
      Reply Vote

    • Maybe not...

      Who is Ballmer's arch-enemy?

      If MS thought they could limit the success of Google's Chrome it wouldn't surprise me to see them support Firefox.
      Tim Patterson
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Google delivers another blow to Mozilla

    You forgot the 4th blow when Google said they were going to add addons to chrome. Yes you could say thats in chrome so it could be part of the first blow, but I would add it as a 4th. Because now maybe addon developers will pay more attention to addons for chrome than firefox.
    rkegel@...
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Google delivers another blow to Mozilla

    Interesting piece, but I have to be honest: It looks unprofessional
    at best, cretinous at worst, to publish an article with so many
    typos and grammatical errors.

    I know I put it a bit harshly, but it is well-meant criticism.
    lais.alex@...
    Reply Vote

    • If you really meant well...

      ...you'd do it in private by going to the story page, clicking on the author's bio, and then choose the email link. Is THAT so hard?

      http://blogs.zdnet.com/bio.php?id=rogers
      MGP2
      Reply Vote

  • Good content, shabby journalism.

    [Apologies for double-posting]

    Interesting piece, but I have to be honest: It looks unprofessional
    at best, cretinous at worst, to publish an article with so many
    typos and grammatical errors.

    I know I put it a bit harshly, but it is well-meant criticism.
    lais.alex@...
    Reply Vote

    • This is a blog post, not an article (NT)

      NT
      soonerproud
      Reply Vote

      • And?

        so what?
        nizuse
        Reply Vote

        • Consider a blog

          a rough draft. An article is going to be edited several times before it's published, but a blog doesn't go through a strigent edit process. So, if you're expecting the same journalistic quality then you've set yourself up for disappointment.
          alaniane@...
          Reply Vote

          • The demise of newspapers and magazines

            is going to leave us with blogs. An unhappy future for us all.
            will.doak@...
            Reply Vote
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