Microsoft Edge this week announced a load of offensive new features as it continues to escalate browser wars to defeat Google Chrome.
Microsoft Edge announced this week a load of striking new features as it further enhances the detection … [+]
Microsoft Edge is no number two in the browser market behind Google Chrome, but it still has a long way to go to reach its rival’s 70% share. Not to be outdone by Chrome’s dominance, Microsoft Edge continues to make new browser moves, as evidenced by the range of features it announced this week.
This has not been confirmed yet, but is one of the most anticipated Edge features vertical tabs, originally announced in March and due to launch every minute now. Allows you to find and manage multiple open tabs at once.
You can see how this works on a new Twitter video from AL.
Install themes from the Google Web Store
Earlier this week, Microsoft confirmed that many new features came to the dev channel as part of build 86.0.594.2. As part of the update, Edge has added the ability to install themes from the Google Web Store.
Among some minor changes, Microsoft has also added a flag that allows the Backspace key to navigate a web page back (either forward or combined with Shift); an option in settings to disable suggestions of history and favorites when searching in the address bar; website access rights for virtual and augmented reality; a link between the Password Settings page and the Password Monitor Settings page; and a cookie management policy when Microsoft Edge closes.
New features in the Edge Beta channel
Microsoft has also confirmed new features in the Edge Beta channel, including On-premise Sync Favorites and Settings. Allows you to synchronize browser favorites and settings between Active Directory profiles in your own environment without the need for cloud syncing. The feature is next to a PDF marker pen tool, Collections synchronized with OneNote and The Storage Access API.
Other recent additions include privacy controls, performance enhancements in Collections and a Read Aloud feature in PDFs.
Last week I reported that Edge 84 had added the ability to manage page notifications – a real winner to prevent annoying pop-ups from ruining your browsing experience.
Edge and Chrome go head to head
Many people are concerned about Google’s privacy and security practices, and although Chrome is busy adding new security and privacy features, they want a safer alternative. Like other browsers including Brave, Edge is based on the same Chromium engine as Chrome, which means you have access to many similar features.
I’ve been using Edge for a while now, and I like it as an alternative browser. Its security is pretty good – Edge came out on top in a recent study – but its privacy could be improved. An earlier report found that Edge sends device IDs and web browsing pages to back-end servers.
Microsoft is also getting quite intrusive with Edge by bringing the browser to all Windows users. Meanwhile, Microsoft got some people angry when they announced that you could not uninstall Edge.
Ultimately, it’s down to you to make your own choice. Sure, there are other options, but Edge is definitely worth a try if you’re looking for a functional Chrome alternative.
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