What Microsoft's New Browser Can Do For The Company?

Microsoft Corporation MSFT has confirmed that it will be doing away with its browser, Internet Explorer (IE), after 20 years and is developing a new browser codenamed Project Spartan. Capital IQ analyst, Angelo Zino, was on CNBC Tuesday to discuss what dropping the IE brand will mean for Microsoft.

Almost A Necessity

"Well, if we actually take a look at Microsoft's Internet Explorer brand here, back in 2007 the market share was north of 80 percent," Zino said. "If you look at it today, it's hovering about 30 percent. So, they have lost significant share in recent years, a lot of that having to do with the success of mobility. So really what it tells us is that they have essentially failed in their expansion efforts within mobility, but because of that we think we are re-branding efforts today. It's almost a necessity for the brand."

Mobile Friendly

Zino was asked what the new browser from Microsoft will have to do and look like to compete with other browsers. He replied, "Simply put, it has to be more mobile friendly so features like greater voice command control has to be more personalized to the user. Search functions have to be a lot more a lot faster. So, simply said, it has to be more mobile friendly."

Consumers Like Microsoft's Name

On what the name of the browser being developed under project Spartan could be, Zino said, "I think overall the Microsoft brand is still a strong one. So, something with the Microsoft name within it I think would be smart for them to do I think consumers still like the Microsoft name in itself. So, something along those lines."