Google IE6 Web Apps Support To Cease [Google Web Apps to Drop Internet Explorer 6 Browser Support - Amongst Others]

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Google have confirmed that they are to phase out support of older browsers such as Internet Explorer 6 in relation to new features for their their Web Apps (including Google Docs) with Google reasoning that ‘very old browsers cannot run many of these new features effectively’.

In truth we don’t doubt that the associated security vulnerabilities of older browsers (specifically IE6) plays a not insignificant factor in Google’s decision but what is particularly interesting is that Google singles out IE6 in its announcement whilst stating that Google Web Apps will phase out ‘older browser support’ (so it isn’t just IE6 in the firing line)

The Official Google Enterprise Blog states:

“​The web has evolved in the last ten years, from simple text pages to rich, interactive applications including video and voice. Unfortunately, very old browsers cannot run many of these new features effectively. So to help ensure your business can use the latest, most advanced web apps, we encourage you to update your browsers as soon as possible.

Many other companies have already stopped supporting older browsers like Internet Explorer 6.0 as well as browsers that are not supported by their own manufacturers. We’re also going to begin phasing out our support, starting with Google Docs and Google Sites. As a result you may find that from March 1 key functionality within these products — as well as new Docs and Sites features — won’t work properly in older browsers.

2010 is going to be a great year for Google Apps and we want to ensure that everyone can make the most of what we are developing. Please take the time to switch your organization to the most up-to-date browsers available.”

So, if you utilise Google Web Apps such as Google Docs and you’re using an older browser (specifically IE6) then its time to get your browser up to date pronto unless you want to find yourself possibly loosing various degrees of functionality.