Catch Me at Pixel Pioneers: Talking About Browser Choice

Hi, it's Thomas Beverley here, one of the technical co-founders of Wavebox. I'm looking forward to speaking at the upcoming Pixel Pioneers conference in Bristol, U on June 20th. The talk is titled "Browsers vs the OS - How to Reach End Users." I will address a critical topic for all internet users: the freedom to choose your browser and the challenges posed by operating systems that can hinder your choice.

Browsers and Operating Systems

We all rely on browsers for a multitude of daily tasks, from accessing essential work tools to SaaS applications and everything in between. Browsers are fundamental to the open web, however, a problem arises when the operating system itself, such as Windows, attempts to control or change your browser selection without your consent.

As a co-founder of Wavebox, I have firsthand experience with these challenges. In my talk, I will highlight the methods, dark patterns and confusing interfaces Windows employs to steer you towards their native browser, Edge. I will also explain the negative impact this has on user freedom, browser competition, industry innovation, and ultimately, on developers and designers attempting to reach their audiences.

Why This Matters to Wavebox

The issue of browser choice is fundamental to us at Wavebox. We've specifically designed Wavebox to enhance productivity and workflow organisation. Unlike browsers that aim to be everything to everyone, we provide a focused experience for users who need to manage complex online work lives and want a browser that actively helps them do that.

Our commitment to our users is underscored by our business model: Wavebox is a paid-for product. This creates a clear, direct relationship - our success depends on convincing users that Wavebox delivers genuine value and a better way to work, not on selling their attention or data. This independence, free from the pressures that can come with VC investment, allows us to focus solely on our users' needs and be directly accountable to them. It's a principle that has sustained us as we approach our 10th anniversary 🎂.

It's this user-centric approach and direct commercial relationship that makes OS interference so particularly damaging for us and our users. People actively choose Wavebox and invest in it for a specific, productive experience. Because we maintain such a strong focus on our users, it is particularly frustrating when the OS interferes. For example, when Microsoft alters default settings, our users sometimes report that Wavebox is broken, when in fact Windows has reverted their links to open in Edge. Such practices don't just cause frustration; they undermine the user's deliberate choice, erode trust, and impede our ability to compete fairly on the merits of our browser.

The Browser Choice Alliance

These challenges are precisely why Wavebox was a founding member of the Browser Choice Alliance. This coalition of browser companies advocates for the principle that consumers should be able to exercise their right to choose their preferred browser on Windows devices. We are not seeking preferential treatment, merely a fair playing field.

Microsoft, at times, employs misleading interfaces or dark patterns that make it unnecessarily difficult for users to change their default browser. In some instances, Windows may even revert a user's choice without consent. This stifles innovation, erodes consumer trust in the operating system, and harms competition. The Alliance aims to foster genuine competition, which is crucial for independent vendors like Wavebox that differentiate by offering specialised user experiences.

What I'll Be Talking About

So, what can you expect from my talk? I'll begin by exploring the core principle that everyone must have the freedom to select the tools that best meet their individual needs. I'll talk about why web developers need to be aware of these OS tactics because when browser choice is restricted, it doesn't just affect personal preference; it has a tangible, negative impact on the web platform we all build and depend upon.

Some may recall the constraints of developing for a web limited by older, mandated browsers like Internet Explorer, and how that stifled web capabilities and innovation for years. When users are unable to choose the browser that works best for them, or that has support for the latest web features, it's detrimental to the entire ecosystem.

I'll also share some of the positive progress the Browser Choice Alliance has already achieved, particularly within the EU, and I’ll be discussing how we can all play a part in raising awareness of these issues, so that we can make sure users have a choice and the web keeps evolving.

Join Me at Pixel Pioneers

If you are attending Pixel Pioneers, come and check out my talk, and I would love it if you said Hi! 👋 It will be an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the forces impacting browser choice and discuss how we can collectively work towards keeping the web open.

Can't make it, but still want to chat? Feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn.