Microsoft releases Internet Explorer 9 versions in 11 Indian languages

Microsoft released the latest version of Internet Explorer 9 in 11 Indian languages including Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malyalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil and Telugu. Microsoft may well be a late entrant in this space behind Google Chrome and homegrown browser Epic that is built specially for the Indian market.

This is not the first time Microsoft is engaging with the Indian market. The company has a few India-specific tools like Indic language input tool, phonetic keyboard that has language support, and features such as email, instant messenger are also available in local languages.

Experts feel that this could increase Microsoft’s prominence in the browser market but will do only that. “If Microsoft is looking at reaching the rural market and drive technology adoption, it is a good strategy but it will not lead to PC adoption. People are not going to buy a computer only based on local language offering. That won’t happen,” said Vishal Tripathi, principal research analyst, Gartner.