Microsoft's share of U.S. browser market slips

updated 3:12 p.m. ET May 12, 2005

NEW YORK - Microsoft Corp.'s share of the U.S. browser market has slipped below 90 percent as the Firefox browser continues to grow in popularity, according to independent tracking by WebSideStory.

Firefox, an open-source browser collectively developed by the Internet community under the Mozilla Foundation, had a 6.8 percent share as of April 29, an increase from 3.0 percent since WebSideStory began tracking Firefox separately in October.

Other browsers based on the Mozilla code, including America Online Inc.'s Netscape, had a 2.2 percent share, while Microsoft's Internet Explorer share was 89 percent, a drop from 95 percent in June.

(MSNBC is a Microsoft - NBC joint venture.)

The figures are for all operating systems combined. On computers running Microsoft's Windows, Internet Explorer has a 91 percent share, down from 97 percent in June.

Outside the United States, Germany is among the leading adopters of Firefox, with a 23 percent share, compared with 69 percent for Internet Explorer.

"They just seem to be averse to Microsoft products and really interested relatively in these open-source products," said Geoff Johnston, a WebSideStory analyst.

Microsoft is strong in Asia, with Internet Explorer commanding a share of 94 percent in Japan and 98 percent in China.

MORE FROM TECH AND GADGETS

Tech and gadgets Section Front

Lavish gadgets for those with rich taste Is facial recognition software discriminatory? Terrific tech gifts for $200 or less Delayed Nook e-readers mean gift certificates Eight ways to cool a warming planet Fla. mom under fire for tweet after son's death Shoppers with smart phones squeezing retailers Privacy watchdog files complaint against Facebook Check your Facebook privacy settings. Now! Pocket cameras with big-time lenses Tech and gadgets Section Front   Add Tech and gadgets headlines to your news reader: