5 ms·

European browser-related fines in 10, 9, 8 . . . We had a saying in Xbox that you didn't get to become a Microsoft VP until you'd cost the company a billion do

by kabdib 10y ago

European browser-related fines in 10, 9, 8 . . . We had a saying in Xbox that you didn't get to become a Microsoft VP until you'd cost the company a billion dollars with some boneheaded mistake. (Data: The Xbox 360's lack of a pad for its DVD drive, the Kin phone -- which was actually a $2B mistake). I guess someone wants to be promoted.

ihuman 10y ago
What do you mean by a pad for the 360's DVD drive?
- metalliqaz 10y ago
  Probably vibration dampening. The drive was finicky as hell.
- kabdib 10y ago
  A pad to prevent media scratches when the disc in the 12X drive started to wobble. Quite a few people lost games to this.
- infogulch 10y ago
  The 360 was notorious for scratching disks. [1] [1]: https://www.geekwire.com/2016/xbox-360-scratched-discs-why-the-u-s-supreme-court-will-hear-the-case-nine-years-later/ https://www.geekwire.com/2016/xbox-360-scratched-discs-why-t...
  - sfRattan 10y ago
    My initial reaction was, "yeah, that was an awful D-Pad." Then I realized the reference was to the disk drive. Oh, well... Two promotions, then, according to the root comment's saying.
nomercy400 10y ago
Microsoft offers a similar product with more freedom/features (ie. Windows 10). Also, Windows 10 S does not have a near-100% marketshare, so no monopoly there. I agree, it's stupid. But it does not warrant a fine.
- rbanffy 10y ago
  So, we can be sure a user can install a new OS on those laptops. Good. That's the good side effect of the fine.
  - eightysixfour 10y ago
    Yeah, the announcement mentioned an upgrade to normal Win10 would be available from the Windows Store.
    - rbanffy 10y ago
      I was thinking about a good OS, but I guess this helps them dodge the fine...
    - poizan42 10y ago
      But can you disable secure boot / add your own keys? I haven't seen that discussed anywhere.
- rusk 10y ago
  it could be argued that Microsoft has created an artificial limitation to shore up their monopoly. ianal but I'd be surprised if this doesn't get examined.
tushar-r 10y ago
>European browser-related fines in 10, 9, 8 . . . Why? You can still buy non "S" editions where you can change the browser. This is essentially a browser subsidy from MSFT :-)
nailer 10y ago
Can I change the default browser or switch to Bing/DDG etc on ChromeOS?
- zabuni 10y ago
  Yes, you can.
  - defap 10y ago
    How do you install a third-party browser in ChromeOS?
    - pritambaral 10y ago
      EDIT: Why, yes, you can have full access to the underlying Linux and even run your own Linux Desktop by enabling Developer Mode on ChromeOS. Not even close to answering the original question, but technically, you can install Firefox for Android on some Chromebooks.
  - pja 10y ago
    ! Chrome OS devices run Google’s Chrome browser & nothing else by design. OK, some of them now run Android apps, so I guess you can install the Android version of Firefox on one or two Chromebooks at the current time, but the rest are definitely Chrome only, unless you switch them to developer mode and install a different OS.
- bitmapbrother 10y ago
  Yes you can change the search engine in ChromeOS.

by kabdib 10y ago

ihuman 10y ago

What do you mean by a pad for the 360's DVD drive?

metalliqaz 10y ago
Probably vibration dampening. The drive was finicky as hell.
kabdib 10y ago
A pad to prevent media scratches when the disc in the 12X drive started to wobble. Quite a few people lost games to this.
infogulch 10y ago
The 360 was notorious for scratching disks. [1] [1]: https://www.geekwire.com/2016/xbox-360-scratched-discs-why-the-u-s-supreme-court-will-hear-the-case-nine-years-later/ https://www.geekwire.com/2016/xbox-360-scratched-discs-why-t...
- sfRattan 10y ago
  My initial reaction was, "yeah, that was an awful D-Pad." Then I realized the reference was to the disk drive. Oh, well... Two promotions, then, according to the root comment's saying.

nomercy400 10y ago

Microsoft offers a similar product with more freedom/features (ie. Windows 10). Also, Windows 10 S does not have a near-100% marketshare, so no monopoly there. I agree, it's stupid. But it does not warrant a fine.

rbanffy 10y ago
So, we can be sure a user can install a new OS on those laptops. Good. That's the good side effect of the fine.
- eightysixfour 10y ago
  Yeah, the announcement mentioned an upgrade to normal Win10 would be available from the Windows Store.
  - rbanffy 10y ago
    I was thinking about a good OS, but I guess this helps them dodge the fine...
  - poizan42 10y ago
    But can you disable secure boot / add your own keys? I haven't seen that discussed anywhere.
rusk 10y ago
it could be argued that Microsoft has created an artificial limitation to shore up their monopoly. ianal but I'd be surprised if this doesn't get examined.

tushar-r 10y ago

>European browser-related fines in 10, 9, 8 . . . Why? You can still buy non "S" editions where you can change the browser. This is essentially a browser subsidy from MSFT :-)

nailer 10y ago

Can I change the default browser or switch to Bing/DDG etc on ChromeOS?

zabuni 10y ago
Yes, you can.
- defap 10y ago
  How do you install a third-party browser in ChromeOS?
  - pritambaral 10y ago
    EDIT: Why, yes, you can have full access to the underlying Linux and even run your own Linux Desktop by enabling Developer Mode on ChromeOS. Not even close to answering the original question, but technically, you can install Firefox for Android on some Chromebooks.
- pja 10y ago
  ! Chrome OS devices run Google’s Chrome browser & nothing else by design. OK, some of them now run Android apps, so I guess you can install the Android version of Firefox on one or two Chromebooks at the current time, but the rest are definitely Chrome only, unless you switch them to developer mode and install a different OS.
bitmapbrother 10y ago
Yes you can change the search engine in ChromeOS.