As promised last year by Microsoft, the software company will begin rolling out its new Edge browser based on Google’s open-source Chromium browser, starting today. Existence of the browser first came to light in May last year and will officially replace the current Edge browser that comes with Windows.
As per earlier reports, the Chromium-based Edge browser will roll out with a number of standard features, including support for Chrome extensions, user profiles, and naturally, a faster and more responsive web browsing experience.
Adding to that, the Chromium-based Edge browser will have some business-focused features that Microsoft says will benefit users working in the enterprise sector. Such features include using the address bar as a tool to search for office locations, floor plans, as well as co-workers that are looped into the same group. Further, the company says that business users will also have the ability to launch Office apps from Edge directly.
Microsoft’s desire to make its new browser a substantial browser alternative has never been greater. As it stands, Google’s Chrome sits on the pedestal as one of the most popular and widely used browsers, while Apple’s Safari and Mozilla’s Firefox browsers hold second and third place, respectively. Edge, unfortunately, only holds a 2.13% market share.
(Source: TNW, StatCounter)
