The issue here is whether building the browser into the operating system crosses a line that forces action against Microsoft.
Browsers are an interesting case.
So Microsoft has done Netscape one better by building an OS feature-laden enough that it does not require a standalone browser. The real genius of Microsoft's p lay is not that it will put Netscape out of business. Microsoft already has rendered Netscape fairly impotent. No, the real play is in using the embedded browser to link automatically to MSN, Microsoft's online network. With the embedded browser and a link to MSN, Microsoft plans to make freely available patches and updates to all Microsoft desktop products.