In just eight months Microsoft's latest web browser has doubled the usage statistics of its competitors in the U.S. and leveled the playing field around the world. However, the biggest hurdle for Internet Explorer 9 is Internet Explorer 8.
Posting at the Windows Team Blog, Internet Explorer Marketing Director Roger Capriotti announced that the company's browser share has hit nearly 35 percent among Americans running the Windows 7 operating system. Internet Explorer 9's chief rivals - Google's Chrome and Mozilla's Firefox - garnered approximately 14 and 12 percent, respectively.
An important point to remember is that Microsoft's cited figures refer specifically to how Windows 7 users browse the web.
Capriotti believes IE8 fans will continue to upgrade to this year's model. However, IE9 may not take its place anytime soon.
"Worldwide, the numbers we predicted...are looking good," he said. "IE9 is growing nicely and is on path to be the leading modern browser on Windows 7 behind IE8 as early as next month."
Counting all versions, Microsoft holds over half of the total desktop browser market. Web traffic analyzer StatCounter predicted Chrome will squeak by Firefox in December to become the number two most popular browser in the world.
Released in March exclusively for Windows Vista and Windows 7, IE9 boasts HTML5 support and a search feature built into its address bar. Microsoft's upcoming Windows 8 platform will also support the browser.
Are you faithful to Internet Explorer? Prefer other browsers? Or bounce back and forth between several? Let us know in the comment section.
