zlacker

>>dochtm+(OP)
We don't have to speculate, we've been through this already during the IE4 to IE6 era.

Microsoft just did whatever they wanted with the web "platform", and so will Google.

In Microsoft's case what they wanted was nothing. They weren't a web business, saw it as a threat to their platform leverage, and so just left it abandoned and stagnant for years.

Google is simultaneously better and worse: they won't leave it stagnant because the web is their platform, but on the other hand they have a lot more to gain by abusing control of it.

>>paol+B6
I don't know if Google continuing to develop the web is really better than leaving it stagnant. A stagnant product can be picked up and improved later, but Google pushing their stuff onto the web can leave damage that is much harder to undo.

Ironically, Safari is more similar to IE in that regard. The web isn't Apple's platform, either, so they're not too interested in continuing to develop it.