Report: Microsoft to Ditch Edge Browser

Sources close to Microsoft suggest that the company may ditch its Edge browser as the default option in Windows 10. Its replacement would run on the same underlying code as Google's Chrome.

While Edge has failed to win the hearts of most users, it appears the main reason behind the move is that site developers are tired of having to do extra work to make their sites work on the browser.

The most recent statistics show Chrome dominating the browser market, being used on more than 70 per cent of computers, compared with just four percent running Edge. Given that Edge is the default option on Windows 10, which runs on more than a third of computers, it's clear a huge number of users have actively rejected it.

New Browser Could Come In Spring

Sources quoted by Windows Central say Microsoft is now working on a replacement browser with the internal codename of Anaheim. While this isn't confirmed, it would likely debut with the next major Windows 10 update. That's due in April, 2019, though people in Microsoft's test program would see the browser before that. (Source: windowscentral.com)

It's not yet clear if Microsoft will rebrand or use the Edge name again, or if the user interface will remain the same. What's significant here is a switch in the rendering engine. That's the real meat of the browser, responsible for turning the web page's raw code into what the user actually sees and interacts with.

Edge had its own rendering engine known as EdgeHTML, which Microsoft hoped would be faster and use less computing power than existing browsers. However, the new browser will reportedly use a rendering engine called Blink, taken from the Chromium project.

Chromium is a set of open source code overseen by Google that anyone can use to build web tools such as browsers, with its best known use being Google's own Chrome browser.

Web Site Compatibility Easier

The new browser would have a couple of big benefits even if it doesn't catch on with users. Firstly it would reduce the need for web developers to write extra code into pages to make sure they look and work fundamentally the same in Chrome and Edge.

Secondly, it would give Microsoft more incentive to contribute to the Chromium project. That's important as it's already had some input into making Chromium-based browsers work on ARM processors. That could make it easier for Microsoft to produce lightweight devices which have a long battery life but can still run Windows 10 and browsers such as Chrome or the replacement for Edge. (Source: itproportal.com)

What's Your Opinion?

Do you use Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge? Is it a smart move to replace the browser? Are you happy to see Microsoft and Google working more closely together?