Time to upgrade: Google to ditch support for older internet browsers

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated: 02:21 EST, 7 June 2011

Google is phasing out support for some internet browsers from later this year.

Users of Internet Explorer 7, Safari 3 and Firefox 3.5 and all previous versions will lose some functions from August 1.

The features that will gradually stop working include access to Gmail, Google Calender, Google Talk and Google Docs.

Phased out: From August 1 Google will no longer offer support for Firefox 3.5, alongside both Internet Explorer 7 and Safari 3

Phased out: From August 1 Google will no longer offer support for Firefox 3.5, alongside both Internet Explorer 7 and Safari 3

The company warned that if users fail to upgrade then these services will eventually stop working all together.

They added that they are urging users to upgrade because of insecurities in the old browsers which could leave them prone to attack.

The announcement was made in a blog by Google's Vice President of Engineering Venkat Panchapakesan, who said the move was also influenced by engineers who want to make use of the latest browser technology

Google has also said that support will end for the third last release each time a firm releases an update for their browser.

Mr Panchapakesan said on the blog: 'These new browsers are more than just a modern convenience, they are a necessity for what the future holds.'

'Older browsers just don't have the chops to provide you with the same high-quality experience.'

Google Chrome users may also be affected by the move - but only if they have chosen to turn off the automatic update feature

Lost functionality: Google warned users that if they do not update their browsers then programmes including Gmail will eventually stop working

Lost functionality: Google warned users that if they do not update their browsers then programmes including Gmail will eventually stop working

Microsoft has also used several methods to attempt to get its users to upgrade.

These include placing the software inside their monthly automatic updates.

However statistics show that as many as 20 per cent of internet users still use Internet Explorer 7 or below.

They also reveal that as many as 34 per cent of Chinese users are still on Internet Explorer 6.

This is despite Internet Explorer 6 being described as 'the least secure software on the planet'.

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