Of course, to use the Netscape Navigator, it had to be purchased by consumers, and as the only web browser solution on the market, it generated considerable revenue.

Unfortunately for Netscape, Microsoft felt that a 'browser' was key component to it's Windows Operating 

The fight and charges were eventually settled, but it was too late for Netscape.  Because it was free, and already included on every new computer, Internet Explorer (Microsoft's web browser) rapidly grew to become world's dominant, most used web browser for over 12 years.

Finally this last week, according to statcounter.com, Internet Explorer lost its 1st place ranking.  The challenger and new web browser champion is Google's Chrome browser.

This upset is significant because it means that, despite already having Microsoft's Internet Explorer for free on their Windows computer, users have decided they would rather take the time to download, install, and learn how to use Chrome, than continue to use IE.

So whats different this time?  Why are people willing to change browsers now, and they weren't before?  Is Chrome THAT much better?  Is Internet Explorer THAT much worse?  It looks like it just comes down to cost.  Netscape's business model had to charge for Navigator, where as Google does not charge for Chrome.  Users moved to the free Internet Explorer to save on cost, but it appears when cost is removed from the equation, they are willing to move for functionality.

Unfortunately RIM seems to have made some major strategic errors in the past few years that have prevented it from remaining on the cutting edge.  With 20/20 hindsight, its clear the rumors of internal process paralysis killing creativity and ingenuity were accurate, and unfortunately warnings went unheeded.  RIM has fallen behind.

For a die-hard aficionado, therein lies the rub... should I stay, or should I go.

If I go, there are basically two options: Apple or Android.  

For me, Apple isn't the right way to go.  I don't own an iPod, iTouch, iPhone, iMac, MacBook, AppleTV, or anything else they make.  I don't even have an iTunes account.  I don't dislike Apple - I just never jumped on their bandwagon.  If I did use Apple, the decision would probably already have been made.

So that leaves me with Android, not a mobile phone company, but rather a smartphone operating system developed by Google, and provided free to phone manufacturers.  Contrary to the perception of most North Americans, Gartner reports more Android smartphones are sold worldwide than all other types of smartphones (including iPhones) combined!

The leader in the Android smartphone space is Samsung.  They have enjoyed huge success with their Galaxy S and Galaxy S II smartphones, and on May 3rd in London England they will officially announce the Samsung Galaxy S III.

Although it may not get much press in North America, this is huge - its the next generation of the world's most popular phone.  And if the rumors are true, the specifications are somewhere between fantastic and unbelievable.  The screen is better. The camera is better. The speed is better.  The Operating System is better.  In fact, latest reports say more than 10 MILLION Galaxy S III smartphones have been already pre-ordered.

I truly do love my Blackberry.  But I really like the sounds of this phone.  I have no idea what I'm going to do.