Putting IE. into the system has allowed SOOOOO many spyware and adware companies to completely ABUSE the integration.
So many peoples systems have been borked as a result of this.
Web integration is possible on any system - regardless of wether the browser is built in or not. Java is universal, as is XML. As long as MS et all dont make everything use Active X and Windows only features, everyone can rejoice.
Outlook Web client for Exchange seems to suffer from this as it wont work to it's fullest on Mac.
I for one am glad that other browsers are getting marketshare as it shows MS that they have majorly lost the ball on that one. At least now this leopard is changing its spots.
Microsoft believed that tight integration to the web was important when they integrated IE into the operating system. Now they are putting apps into their web system, acting like good guys and turning the company in a new direction. But I don't think the web integration is really all that new.

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