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With Project Spartan, Microsoft is building a new, modern browser for all Windows 10 devices: PCs, tablets and phones. Although the new rendering engine (Edge) has been forked from the one in Internet Explorer 11 (Trident), it has rapidly diverged from it, and now works well if websites treat it as Google Chrome. However, what may be more important is what Microsoft is leaving out, which is IE's historical baggage.The Spartan codename presumably refers to the Xbox One game, Halo: Spartan Assault, which befits a new assault on the browser market.
If, as some are claiming, Google is the new Microsoft, then Project Spartan is the new Chrome.Of course, Google must be aware that today's Chrome is becoming increasingly bloated, swallowing more memory and resources than its main rival, Firefox . We assume this is one reason why Google forked WebKit to create its own Blink, which is also dumping historical baggage. (Not having to work with Apple is probably another.) But Internet Explorer goes back 20 years, and Microsoft has a lot more baggage to dump.
Users will have the ability to tell Cortana - “go to Facebook” and Spartan will launch. Spartan will also include digital inking support for users to “annotate a web page with a stylus and send the notes to a friend/colleague.” This will be super helpful for collaborations and project teams that need to see exactly what the other person is referencing.
The new browser will also allow users to group tabs however they want, splitting into work and personal tabs if needed. Spartan may allow users to open multiple sites in grouped tabs together, so they can do things like compare prices of a new computer without having to switch between tabs.
As of now, Project Spartan is without an official name, and rumors suggest that it may not support third-party extensions. It’s also unclear at this time whether Microsoft is ushering in Project Spartan as a replacement for Internet Explorer, or if it will come installed alongside the aging browser. Regardless, it’s exciting to see Microsoft finally introduce a new product that isn't weighed down by the marred legacy of its past versions. Spartan may not replace Internet Explorer just yet, but it will undoubtedly be Microsoft’s flagship browser product going forward, which is promising in itself.
Comment your Thoughts and views about the Microsoft's new browser..
With Project Spartan, Microsoft is building a new, modern browser for all Windows 10 devices: PCs, tablets and phones. Although the new rendering engine (Edge) has been forked from the one in Internet Explorer 11 (Trident), it has rapidly diverged from it, and now works well if websites treat it as Google Chrome. However, what may be more important is what Microsoft is leaving out, which is IE's historical baggage.The Spartan codename presumably refers to the Xbox One game, Halo: Spartan Assault, which befits a new assault on the browser market.
If, as some are claiming, Google is the new Microsoft, then Project Spartan is the new Chrome.Of course, Google must be aware that today's Chrome is becoming increasingly bloated, swallowing more memory and resources than its main rival, Firefox . We assume this is one reason why Google forked WebKit to create its own Blink, which is also dumping historical baggage. (Not having to work with Apple is probably another.) But Internet Explorer goes back 20 years, and Microsoft has a lot more baggage to dump.
Spartan features:
Users will have the ability to tell Cortana - “go to Facebook” and Spartan will launch. Spartan will also include digital inking support for users to “annotate a web page with a stylus and send the notes to a friend/colleague.” This will be super helpful for collaborations and project teams that need to see exactly what the other person is referencing.
The new browser will also allow users to group tabs however they want, splitting into work and personal tabs if needed. Spartan may allow users to open multiple sites in grouped tabs together, so they can do things like compare prices of a new computer without having to switch between tabs.
Cortana Integration
As Chrome integrates Google Now, Spartan will include support for the personal assistant software Cortana. Its biggest advantage over Google Now: Cortana can interact with the operating system and thus provides a broader experience compared to Google’s software.Protected Mode
Microsoft introduced Protected Mode in Internet Explorer 9. Similar to sandboxing, Protected Mode runs browser processes in three security “zones”. Each zone cannot make modifications to the operating system’s registry or file system, even if a browser becomes compromised by a malware-serving website.Browser Extensions
Perhaps the most anticipated addition coming in Spartan is its extensions. Microsoft intends on building an app store, similar to the Chrome Web Store. One might speculate that instead of offering a single shop for browsers, Microsoft will allow browser extensions to be installed from the Microsoft Store. This stands out in contrast against Google’s division between the Google Play Store and the Chrome Web Store. A single, unified source of software seems easier to navigate.
Offline Mode
Spartan can save web content for offline consumption and reformat it for an easier mobile reading experience, similar to services like Pocket. While Google Chrome offers the ability to save webpages in PDF format, Spartan may go further in its attempts to spread across multiple platforms. With the potential for OneDrive syncing, an offline reader might let users to clip content once and share everywhere.Conclusion
As of now, Project Spartan is without an official name, and rumors suggest that it may not support third-party extensions. It’s also unclear at this time whether Microsoft is ushering in Project Spartan as a replacement for Internet Explorer, or if it will come installed alongside the aging browser. Regardless, it’s exciting to see Microsoft finally introduce a new product that isn't weighed down by the marred legacy of its past versions. Spartan may not replace Internet Explorer just yet, but it will undoubtedly be Microsoft’s flagship browser product going forward, which is promising in itself.
Comment your Thoughts and views about the Microsoft's new browser..
