IE R.I.P. Redux

Microsoft’s decision to stop developing Internet Explorer for the Mac comes as no surprise. On Windows, Microsoft also has slowed down IE development, focusing instead on areas where the company’s technologies still face competition.

But the timing is interesting, as Apple has not officially released version 1 of its Safari browser. Safari Beta v80 leaked out to the Web earlier this week.

U.K.’s MacUser broke the story about IE’s demise around midday today, ahead of Microsoft’s official Monday announcement. On Monday, Microsoft’s Macintosh Business Unit plans to release updates to the Mac OS 9 and X versions of IE. But beyond that, IE for the Mac will change little, as MacBU has fully stopped development of the software.

The demise of Mac IE closes an interesting chapter on relations between Apple and Microsoft, which have grown more competitive over the last 18 months. Microsoft, which is the largest Mac developer, was the poster company for Mac OS X, the operating system Apple shipped in March 2001. Mac OS X came with a beta, native version of IE, which Microsoft later updated. In November 2001, Microsoft shipped Office v. X for Mac OS X, making the software titan the most visible supporter of an operating system that competes with Windows.

But some tension marred the Apple-Microsoft relationship in 2002, as the Mac maker focused more on digital media and unleashed a “switchers” campaign that in many ways attacked Windows.

Apple’s January release of the first Safari beta may have sealed Mac IE’s ultimate demise. But IE’s end might have come sooner. Microsoft appears to have stuck with IE, even as browser development wound down on Windows, mostly to support users of its other Mac products.

Apple released Safari, in part, at the behest of developers, which wanted to have access to browsing technologies for Mac applications in a similar way as for their Windows programs; Windows IE is integrated into the operating system.

Still, Apple will have to work doubly hard to ensure that Safari delivers a satisfying surfing experience, particularly as more and more Websites are geared for IE. But, if the beta is any indication, Safari is off to a good start.

While some tensions remain between Apple and Microsoft--after all, the companies do compete in some areas--the software giant continues to develop programs for the Mac. The end of Mac IE should not be viewed as a sign Microsoft plans to abandon Mac development--at least not anytime soon. Microsoft will continue to develop for the Mac as long as there is money to be made in the market. Remember, IE is a giveaway product of marginal return to Microsoft.

The recent releases of MSN Messenger 3.5 and MSN for OS X are both strong signs of Microsoft’s continued interest in the Mac. By the way, MSN Messenger is free software, like Mac IE, and competes with Apple’s iChat, the messaging client built into Mac OS X 10.2. MSN for OS X competes against AOL, which until recently has had few online service competitors on the Mac.

While not yet revealing any details, Microsoft has made clear that development continues unfettered on the next version of Mac Office. Who knows, maybe the shifting of IE resources elsewhere means MacBU can get out that next version of Office quicker.

Posted by Joe Wilcox at June 13, 2003 05:06 PM