Firefox with Bing launched

While they remain competitors on the browser front, Mozilla and Microsoft have worked together to come up with a version of Mozilla’s Firefox, with Microsoft’s Bing as the default search engine. Microsoft’s Tor Steiner said they had worked with Mozilla last year to add Bing as a search option that ships with Firefox, which presently uses Google as its default search engine. “Firefox with Bing offers the latest version of Firefox with Bing set as your home page and the default setting in the search box and AwesomeBar (where you can also type in queries as well as Web addresses)," Steiner said in a blog post. Those who already have the latest version of Firefox can download the Bing Search for Firefox Add-on to set the same preferences, Steiner added. Steiner said the move is a response to requests to make it easier to use Bing with Firefox. Microsoft still makes the Internet Explorer browser, which competes with Firefox. Benefits for both sides A separate article on tech site CNET said the move appears to benefit both sides, with Mozilla needing to diversify its search revenue base from Google, and Bing needing more market share. “Enter some integration that may move the needle for both parties," it said. On the other hand, CNET noted Firefox with Bing came just a few weeks before Mozilla’s search deal with Google is set to expire. It said Mozilla generated $21.7 million in 2010, down from $26.5 million in 2009. Total revenue and support for 2010 was $123.2 million, up from $104.3 million, according to its annual report. Most of that revenue derived from search deals, CNET said. CNET said that while Mozilla also offers search deals with Bing, Yahoo, Yandex, Amazon, Ebay and others, “the reality is most users go with Google." — TJD, GMA News