Microsoft laughs at its own Internet Explorer history [video]

By Tom Warren, on 26th Apr 11 3:00 pm with 11 Comments

Microsoft has created its own joke video about the mixed history of Internet Explorer.

The software giant aired the video in private during the UK Imagine Cup Finals last week. Alex Olivier, a web designer and developer, was on hand to record the video. Entitled “thoughts on Internet Explorer” the joke video is a mash-up of developer comments about the last 10 years of Internet Explorer. Using the familiar Cassette Boy style, Microsoft makes it look like developers have complimented the company for its previous efforts. “Despite this glowing feedback, we have been making some changes” says the ending of the video before Internet Explorer 9 is displayed.

Microsoft has faced criticism from web developers over the years. The company’s browser marketshare has also dipped by 5% in just a year. Despite this, Microsoft introduced Internet Explorer 9 on February 10. Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 9 includes an enhanced UI, HTML5 support, hardware accelerated browsing and some great security improvements. Microsoft has included Tracking Protection in Internet Explorer 9. The new privacy feature allows consumers to address their concerns about being tracked on the web. Internet Explorer 9 offers users a new opt-in mechanism to identify and block many forms of undesired tracking such as cookies, web beacons, advertisements and trackers. Tracking protection involves lists that can be published online. Microsoft’s second security enhancement is the ability to block ActiveX controls. Internet Explorer 9 includes an “ActiveX filter” option. The filter allows users to switch off ActiveX elements within their session, furthering Microsoft’s commitment to security within its browser.

Microsoft’s latest browser includes some great improvements for end users too. Improved tabbing, pinning and HTML5 support will make the web more beautiful claims Microsoft. The software giant has partnered with some big names to show off just what Internet Explorer 9 is capable off and it’s likely that hundreds more will follow in the coming months. Microsoft isn’t stopping at Internet Explorer 9 though. The company plans to bring its improvements to the mobile space. Windows Phone 7 will include a mobile version of IE9 later this year. The company will also ship regular Platform Previews to keep developers ready for the next versions of Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer 9 is just the start.

  • http://dansgalaxy.co.uk Dansgalaxy

    That was a great video, shame they haven’t uploaded it somewhere so can get full quality.

  • http://twitter.com/IgnatiusAwesome Sonny Williams

    lol that’s freaking great

  • http://www.Nave360.com Sebastian Gorgon

    LOL

  • Sergio Iacobucci

    Haha I like that….

  • http://twitter.com/Koki_v3 Koki_v3

    Hahah, brilliant! Love the way the clock goes apeshit because of the editing :D

  • GP007

    MS makes fun of itself often though, you only tend to see these types of videos at some of their developer events though like PDC etc. I still remember the video they made of Gates last week at MS etc.

    • http://josedmorales.net Josè Daniel

      What video? :O

    • http://dansgalaxy.co.uk Dansgalaxy

      I know, it is a shame. I have seen some very cool videos at developer events @ MS I’ve attended, it’s a shame they don’t publish them more freely. Although I know occasionally the videos are under NDA…

  • Kevin Lewis

    Us guys were talking about it throughout the day. Really amusing.

  • http://twitter.com/abhi1manyu Abhimanyu Jamwal

    awesome, but next time steve jobs comes on the stage, he will complain that microsoft have stolen there idea of advertisements..too bad

  • http://twitter.com/hvnchrstn hynchrstn

    i think only small number of people who complaint on IE lack of CSS standard, and i considered them to live in Linux box or MS hater