That sounds like pretty damning evidence right? Well it would be if not for the fact that both Google and Apple require third party browsers to use the default render engine provided by the OS. This means that when you are using Chrome or Firefox with Apple’s iOS you are really using Safari. Remember Apple refuses to allow anyone to implement their own render engine in their operating system.

From what we are hearing Microsoft is not preventing a third-party developers from running their render engines, they are restricting access to their ported Win32 APIs in Windows RT. In fact Microsoft in encouraging companies to develop for Windows 8 and Windows RT including offering development and monetary assistance. In reality what Mozilla has said is they want to be able to be the default browser on Windows RT. This is something that they cannot get on other tablets and they know it. However, by making a fuss and hoping to get law makers involved they truly hope to blackmail their way in.

It looks more and more like Mozilla is acting like a soiled child who is not getting their way. They need to remember that Microsoft has no upper hand with Windows RT or even Windows 8 as it is currently installed on ZERO consumer available systems. Mozilla will also have a hard time working through Microsoft’s best line of defense which comes to them courtesy of Apple; they are restricting the APIs to improve security and ensure a certain level of consumer experience.

Besides, Mozilla needs to remember, this is Microsoft. They are very likely to screw Windows 8 and Windows RT up long before they hit the market, especially with forcing MetroUI on all versions of Windows 8. Maybeif Microsoft added back in Media Center, DVD Playback, Allowed for simple disabling of the MetroUI for desktops and Notebooks this OS would have a better chance of hurting Mozilla. Instead, unless things change, Microsoft is only putting out better hardware for Windows 7.

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