Google and Apple also have the advantage of being able to promote their respective browsers through cross-marketing. Safari is the default browser for any Apple device, and Chrome is the promoted via other Google properties. Internet Explorer has the obvious Windows advantage. Only Firefox really succeeded in fighting the same fight that Opera was fighting, and it's not surprising that both Chrome and Safari tried to ensure Firefox didn't win by improving upon the browser in one of its biggest weaknesses .... speed.

Ultimately, competition is good for the user, but a nightmare for the web developer. It was hard enough dealing with the multitude of IE versions, but today's developer needs to support the entire cross-section of users on a variety of platforms ... most of which command a non-negligible user-share.