Microsoft has long since replaced the classic version of Edge with a version powered by Google's Chromium. But the changes will not stop. The company plans to review the project again.
A new effort called Phoenix envisions integrating Microsoft Edge deeper into the Windows experience.
Its user Twitter WalkingCat, who seems to be in the know, reports that Phoenix was born as a fantasy version of Edge, the purpose of which was to collect feedback from company employees and eventually pave the way for a massive overhaul of the browser.
'Phoenix' was an 'imaginary' version of Edge, appeared as an internal concept video from MS User Research team, with new UI/features, it's a project to collect feedbacks internally for Edge development directions/priorities, 'Split-Screen' was the most liked feature of Phoenix🤓 pic.twitter.com/DRrLwN8x01
- WalkingCat (@ _h0x0d_) January 26, 2023
In this project, Microsoft is experimenting with several new ideas, such as the ability to split the screen that we recently published and allows users to open two websites side by side.
WalkingCat reports that this was the feature who liked the project the most, so it's no surprise that it appeared on Edge.
However, according to WindowsCentral, Microsoft's browser redesign efforts don't stop there. The company also wants Edge to become a more native part of Windows, and is considering turning it into a password manager access which will be available throughout the system.
Edge already has built-in password management options, but it could eventually become a full-featured password manager for the entire operating system. In addition, the OOBE screens could be updated to include Edge as well, so that users can configure the browser while setting up the OS.
Microsoft has so far not mentioned anything about the upcoming changes to Edge, but they are already happening gradually.
The company hopes that Edge will become different from other Chromium-powered browsers and become an integral part of the Windows experience. In short it wants to get rid of Google Chrome.
