Microsoft Spartan
Microsoft Spartan
Microsoft needs to stick to what they know. Business software and operating systems. Say what you will about Windows, there is a reason it remains the most popular OS on the market. Though I will say, IE9 is not an entirely horrible browser. However, to answer the question, I'll say no. Microsoft will never own the most popular/well-liked browser. I won't say "number 1 browser" because if you judge it by how many people have used it at least once, Microsoft already owns that accolade.
Despite the improvements in the latest browser, many users remain loyal to their current options because other programs already perform exceptionally well. If Microsoft truly could deliver a strong browser, they would have developed a solid version of Internet Explorer... this new release seems more like a rebranding of familiar elements with perhaps some added "features."
Microsoft's branding says they profit from your actions, so I'll go with the top web browser instead.