The search box pays more than for IE7's development
New Microsoft browser raises Google's hackles - page 2 | CNET News.com
It seems that the little search box in your browser is where a large part of the search wars will be fought. That's why Mozilla's income depends on that little box. "Google estimates that the boxes, when available, are the starting point for 30 percent to 50 percent of a user's searches". With 80% marketshare, a quick calculation, that means Microsoft, with IE8 and its new searchbox, would get 80% of 80% of 40% is about 20% of the search market handed out to itself when they launch and dissiminate IE7.
Which means that that little box, defaulted to MS Search, must more than pay for IE7's development. (And I'm not even counting the pain it inflicts on Google with this.)
# May 1, 2006