Google earlier forged a deal with Sun in 2005 to bundle it’s toolbar in the Java downloader and three years later, Sun has dropped Google for Microsoft.
Java downloader now will have Microsoft’s toolbar which includes Live search – the toolbar will also be included in future JRE updates.
Through this agreement, Internet Explorer users downloading Sun’s JRE will have the option to download the MSN Toolbar and have one-click access to Live Search features, as well as news, entertainment, sports and more from the MSN network and direct access to Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger. – source
This is an important distribution game for Microsoft, as
- there are 6.5 million Java software developers around the globe
- Java is already present on 91% of Internet-connected PCs worldwide
- Over 800 million Java desktop users around the world
It’s interesting to note that Google has supported Java, but recently stopped shipping Staroffice from Google pack- seems Google and Sun relationship has gone sore. And Microsoft will forego the earlier heartburns (remember the MSJRE legal debate?) in order to expand live search’s distribution.
What’s your opinion?
Image via Wikipedia
In earlier distribution deals(Dell, Adobe etc.) Google outbid, the only competitor Y!, with ease. Its not so easy now, i guess. We all know how aggressive MS is at playing the competition game..
About the deal, from the horse itself
“This year, we decided to run an open auction, and received bids from a number of companies. It was a tough process, but given the growing volume and momentum around Java, we clearly represented just about the most popular distribution vehicle on the internet today – and Microsoft worked hard to represent the most attractive total offer”
http://blogs.sun.com/jonathan/entry/the_value_of_distribution_java
I hate toolbars. Period. I don’t like to see all those toolbars hanging from my browser. If i want to search i have Google and wikipedia search box in fx. If i need to check email, i prefer thunderbird. I always look for any bundled toolbars with any apps.. winamp for instance bundles Y! toolbar.. i make it a point to remove them in any installation i do. And now msn.. no more shit please. thank you.