The EU slaps a hefty fine on Microsoft for rather blatantly neglecting to offer browser choice on Windows 7 after it vowed to do so. Here's a round-up of stories weighing in on the ongoing discord between Microsoft and Europe. You best not mess with the European Union. Microsoft found that out the hard way this week when the European Commission fined the software giant $731 million. What such a hit? The EU doesn’t take kindly to broken promises, and in 2009 Microsoft promised to include a ballot screen in Windows that, upon boot up, offers users a choice of browsers such as Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox and Opera. In Windows software issued between May 2011 and July 2012, Microsoft failed to include the promised browser ballot. Microsoft has admitted wrongdoing and apologized for the “technical error.” But I have to ask: How hard is it to include a damn browser ballot screen in Windows, especially after you’ve signed an agreement with government officials that’s illegal not to include it? It’s not as if Microsoft screwed up a few shipments of Windows. The company neglected to include the ballot screen for an entire year. Someone at Microsoft is either sound asleep at the wheel or the company just isn’t taking the EU’s demands very seriously. Steep as the fine is, Microsoft is a very very wealthy company (with $51 billion in offshore cash as of 2011) and can afford to pay the $731 million bones without losing much sleep. Here’s a round-up of stories from around the Web on the EU’s decision to fine Microsoft yet again. Microsoft’s $731 Million Browser Fine: A Mere Dent In Money And Attention The European Commission is fining Microsoft $731 million for failing to help consumers make a fair choice about which web browser they’ll regularly use after buying a desktop PC. The bottom line for Microsoft: the desktop browser wars are an old distraction next to the bigger battle over mobile phones, and that $731 million fine looks like pocket change anyway. (Forbes) Another EU fine! Is Microsoft Insane? Insanity, according to Narcotics Anonymous, “is repeating the same mistakes and expecting different results.” If that’s true then Microsoft has apparently gone nuts, writes Networkworld’s Mark Gibbs. (Networkworld) EU Fines Microsoft $731 Million for Broken Promise, Warns Others The European Union fined Microsoft Corp 561 million euros ($731 million) on Wednesday for failing to offer users a choice of web browser, an unprecedented sanction that will act as a warning to other firms involved in EU antitrust disputes. (Reuters) Microsoft’s $731 Million Fine Could Have Been Higher Microsoft may have to pay out a substantial 561 million euros (US $731 million) fine over its business practices. But the total bill could have been even higher, according to Europe’s antitrust chief. (IDG News Service) Related content opinion Last Words Before Closing Eye on Microsoft By Shane O'Neill Jun 05, 2013 3 mins Small and Medium Business Tablets Windows opinion With Rumored Reorg, Microsoft Tries to Simplify The mounting pressure on Steve Ballmer to streamline Microsoft is finally leading to some action. By Shane O'Neill Jun 03, 2013 3 mins IT Strategy Cloud Computing Computers and Peripherals opinion What You Need to Know About the New Lync and Skype Integration Audio calls and instant messaging are officially integrated between Lync and Skype, but no video connectivity yet. Here are some key points for users and IT admins about the new Lync-Skype connection. By Shane O'Neill May 29, 2013 3 mins Small and Medium Business Internet VoIP opinion Microsoft Should Leave the Competition Out of Ads Microsoft is in no position to disparage Google and Apple in TV ads, yet it keeps doing it. A new ad for Microsoft Surface turns inward and gets it right. By Shane O'Neill May 23, 2013 2 mins Small and Medium Business Tablets Internet Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe