• Firefox 4 Downloaded Twice As Much As IE9 in 24hrs

    Firefox 4 Downloaded Twice As Much As IE9 in 24hrs

    Nachiket Mhatre, Mar 23, 2011 1543 hrs IST

    Sees 4.7 million downloads, thanks to HTML5 and WebGL support for 3D graphics

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Microsoft Internet Explorer's ironic case of having a sizeable installed base and yet being considered an underdog changed with the release of Internet Explorer 9 (IE9), which caused quite a scare in the Firefox and Chrome camps with a staggering 2.35 million downloads within the first 24 hours of its release. Much of IE9's success is attributed to the adoption of new features like HTML5 and hardware graphics acceleration support. However, Mozilla reaffirmed its might by raking in 4.7 million Firefox 4 downloads in the same time frame according to Mozilla Glow website that keeps logs of the download.

This is far lower than the first day downloads of the previous version of Firefox, which clocked in 8 million within 24 hours; albeit that event was highly promoted by Mozilla. Firefox 4 also packs in the same features introduced by IE9, and additionally faster page loading, optimised JavaScript support, improved security and privacy options, and incorporation of new standards like WebM video and WebGL 3D graphics. Firefox ups the ante with 3D acceleration support that's even compatible with Windows XP.

Over the years, Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser has seen a steady decline in user base thanks to a clunky interface, constant glitches, poor security, and an abject lack of features. It had become a browser that no one touched with a ten foot pole, let their technically inclined peers term them n00bs. However, that changed with Internet Explorer 9, which ushered in new technologies like in-built graphics acceleration support, HTML5, CSS 3 mated to a much improved UI, better security, host of new features and better performance and stability was well. 

Mozilla is counting upon the latest iteration to increase its user base, which is already pegged at 400 million. However, the browser giant had to contend with Chrome, a relative newcomer, spoiling its party by beating it in the global browser usage pie-chart. Chrome now finds home with 10 percent of Internet devices worldwide. Question is, will Firefox 4 help Mozilla regain its spot from Google's Chrome? Only time will tell.
 


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Discussion Board
(11) Comments
shivakumar
,bangaluru, on Mar 23, 2011 05:54 PM
One more thing IE9 is availble for non pirated windows OS only. It is not supporting pirated version. In my case firefox 4.0 got automatically installed as i have not switched off default ON. Considering all the points with integration of IE9 with microsoft essentials and other office integration. We cannot easily conclude which is best at this moment. Browser companies have their own market / customer segment.
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indianbull
,indore, on Mar 24, 2011 03:41 PM
you are right man!!!
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freeworld
,neverland, on May 14, 2011 04:26 AM
I disagree with the first part, where you say its available for Non pirated Win only
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Jabberwolf
,San Francisco, on Mar 23, 2011 05:43 PM
Is that automatic downloads or CHOSEN to download? Big difference because with firefix it will downlowd and install automatically!! Firefox's automatic updates are by default ON unless you choose to disable. And yes I have an earlier version of 4. Those that have 3.6 check for updates and get 4 installed. Not quite the comparison to a NEW IE download now is it?! Firefox, has always played that game and unintelligent "tech" journalists never seem to catch this. They should keep their day jobs definately.
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Jabberblabber
,Beverly Hills, on Mar 24, 2011 08:54 PM
Perhaps the "new ie" download isn't that different... my pc downloaded it as part of windows update.
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Boris
,US, on Mar 24, 2011 09:53 PM
Firefox 4 is not yet being offered as an automatic update for 3.6 users (the way security updates are, say). You only get the offer to update to 4 if you go and manually select "check for updates".
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Inderjeet
,Delhi, on Mar 24, 2011 05:31 PM
yes
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Prasenjit Seth
,Kolkata, on Mar 24, 2011 04:37 PM
One big cause is IE 9 only supports Win 7 and Vista...... Since still XP rules the OS market (with approx 60% of Windows user use XP) the download for IE9 is well below FF download.... Remember FF supports almost all the OS available... Windows 2000 Windows XP Windows Server 2003 Windows Vista Windows 7 Mac OS X 10.5 Mac OS X 10.6 and Other Linux versions.... So I think that is the main reason for this huge download number.........
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Bangalore
,Bangalore, on Mar 23, 2011 05:21 PM
Who is stopping MS to release a browser for non-Windows platforms. And to not give IE9 to WindowsXP users is another big issue!!!
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Jay
,new york, on Mar 23, 2011 05:15 PM
IE 9 is only for windows 7 an windows vista. whereas Firefox is available for windows xp, Linux, Mac OS and windows7 n vista. Its a dumb comaprison Dont copy articles tectree please have your own content writers.
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Paul
,Bangalore, on Mar 23, 2011 04:39 PM
Not surprising its so much better. Its truly cross platform and has no hidden charges, that is, you don't have to pay for Windows as it can also run on Linux.
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