Better, Faster, Customizable: Who Will Win the Browser Battle? - Knowledge@Wharton

Better, Faster, Customizable: Who Will Win the Browser Battle? - Knowledge@Wharton

In the world of web browsers, it's beginning to look a lot like the 1990s. Back then, the Internet was just starting to become an integral part of daily life and Netscape's Navigator and Microsoft's Internet Explorer vied for dominance in helping users surf the web. By the end of the decade, Microsoft emerged the winner and Netscape faded into dotcom history.

This time around, the browser battle includes an increasing number of competitors, most notably Internet Explorer, Mozilla's Firefox and Google's Chrome. But players such as Apple's Safari and newcomers like RockMelt, a start-up that promises to integrate web browsing with social networking, are banking on innovative features to stand out in a sector where users are reluctant to change -- or are unaware of myriad options beyond their browser of choice.