Microsoft concedes defeat in battle of the browsers by rebuilding its Edge based on Google Chrome
- Microsoft released its Edge web browser in 2015, but it fell flat among users
- It wasn’t compatible with Chromium based websites, which powers Google
- Microsoft has now rebuilt the browser with the same Chromium source code
- It is said to have more privacy and features that set it apart from Chrome
Microsoft has rebuilt its Edge web browser with the same Chromium source code that Google Chrome uses.
The move addresses Edge users’ issues with accessing sites optimized for Chromium, as it was not compatible with many of those pages.
However, Microsoft’s browser is different from Google’s in that it has built-in tracking protections and other features such as Collections that lets you organize images and pages.
Microsoft has noted that current Edge users can easily import everything to the new browser, but those using Chrome will need to manually transfer their data.
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Microsoft has rebuilt its Edge web browser with the same Chromium source code that Google Chrome uses. The move addresses Edge users’ issues with accessing sites optimized for Chromium, as it was not compatible with many of those pages
According to StatCounter, Chrome holds a whopping 64 percent of the global web browser market share, while Edge only has two percent.
In 2018, Microsoft was set to completely abandon its Edge web browser because it was struggling to attract users.
This is because Edge was not compatible with most sites powered by Chromium, but the new version may be just what Microsoft needs to join the race against Google.
Two years ago, Microsoft was working on a new browser for Windows 10, codenamed ‘Anaheim’ that Window Central’s Zac Taylor said is a ‘big deal for Windows.
In 2018, Microsoft was set to completely abandon its Edge web browser because it was struggling to attract users. This is because Edge was not compatible with most sites powered by Chromium (pictured)
Microsoft’s browser is different from Google’s in that it has built-in tracking protections and other features such as Collections that lets you organize images and pages
‘Microsoft’s web browser should finally be able to compete alongside Chrome, Opera and Firefox, and those who are all-in with the Microsoft ecosystem will finally be getting a browser from Microsoft that works well when browsing the web.’
A BRIEF HISTORY OF BROWSERS
Internet Explorer, which was first called Windows Internet Explorer, was first released as part of the add-on package Plus! for Windows 95 in 1995.
Internet Explorer was one of the most widely used web browsers, attaining a peak of about 95 per cent during 2002 and 2003.
However, it struggled in the face of competition, and in May 2012 it was announced that Google’s Chrome overtook Internet Explorer as the most used browser worldwide.
The brand has struggled to shake off the bad reputation of Internet Explorer 6, which was notoriously insecure.
Now, users can download the new version.
Although Edge is built on Chromium it is not owned by Google and will have its own features that Yahoo Finance said ‘will set it apart from Chrome’.
Users can chose what they want to see when they open a new tab, select a customizable layout and browse the web using Collections, which allows you to collect organize, share and export web content to Word or Excel.
Microsoft is also promising users browser privacy by keeping them safe on the web and preventing unauthorized access to their browsing data.
The tech giant is also providing visibility into how your browsing data is collected and used.
‘We will empower you to take control of your browsing data and choose how it can improve your experiences,’ reads Microsoft’s website.
Users can chose what they want to see when they open a new tab, select a customizable layout and browse the web using Collections, which allows you to collect organize, share and export web content to Word or Excel
Microsoft is also promising users browser privacy by keeping them safe on the web and preventing unauthorized access to their browsing data. The tech giant is also providing visibility into how your browsing data is collected and used
‘We will honor your choices about browsing data and collect only what is needed to make your experiences better.’
With the roll out, new Windows 10 devices should come with the new Edge already pre-installed.
Over the next few months, Microsoft will slowly push this new version of Edge to Windows 10 users via Windows Update and a full release should happen sometime this summer.
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