Last night was released the final version of Microsoft's new browser. Microsoft Edge based on the open source application Chromium of Google is here for all who are interested.
I decided to check out Microsoft's new app even though it's not out for Linux yet. So I booted up my "dusty" Windows 10, to try out its new app companywhich is hoped to compete with Chrome, but also to correct the rumor that Microsoft browsers are only used to download Firefox and Chrome.
Immediately after installing the application, you will have the opportunity to import your settings from other browsers. These include your favorite pages, browsing history, and saved passwords. I tried importing my settings from Firefox. In part I did it all except the passwords.
With the import from Chrome although both applications are based on Chromium I had the same problem. There doesn't seem to be any compatibility that makes it easier to enter passwords because the two companies probably use different encryption.
Let's use system resources.
See the two images below. The first is a screenshot of the Windows 10 "Task Manager" gadget and shows 20 running Microsoft Edge windows, with the corresponding load on the system.
The second image shows how many tabs I actually have open:
As you can see the tabs I have open are 6 and in fact one of them (Settings) is an internal address.
The fact that there are ghost tabs in operation should probably be seen by Microsoft again, and soon.
The new application offers synchronization but requires you to sign in to a Microsoft account. Normal, as all major browsers use the same practice.
The new Microsoft Edge has some pre-installed privacy settings as you can see in the image below:
The default is Balanced, while there are Basic and Strict. If you try to use the last setting you will notice that some sites will not display properly.
Of course we should mention that the main point that Microsoft's new browser overcomes over Google Chrome is the protection of personal data. This is where I think Microsoft will focus more on competing with Chrome, which is at the top of the list.
Θα πρέπει να υπενθυμίσουμε ότι η Google είναι μια διαφημιστική εταιρεία πρώτιστα και το μεγαλύτερο μέρος των εσόδων της εταιρείας προέρχεται από τις διαφημίσεις της. Έτσι υπάρχει space για την Microsoft να κινηθεί περισσότερο προς την προστασία της ιδιωτικής ζωής στο διαδίκτυο. Σίγουρα όμως η Google, αν και διαθέτει τον πιο χρησιμοποιούμενο browser, δεν θα καθίσει απλά να παρακολουθεί άλλους browsers να μπλοκάρουν κάθε παρακολούθηση (διαβάστε το “Chrome removes third party cookies for more privacy").
But let's look at the Microsoft privacy statement as it is recorded today, after the release of the new browser.
The company allows access and control of your personal data.
You have options for collecting and using your data from Microsoft. You may control the personal data that Microsoft has collected about you and claim your data protection rights by contacting Microsoft or using the various tools it provides.
For example, you can do the following:
Control the use of your data for interest-based advertising by Microsoft. The company has an exception page.
Choose whether you want to receive promotional emails, SMS messages, phone calls and traditional mail from Microsoft.
Access and delete some of your data through the Microsoft Privacy Panel.
For those interested in the above information you can read the Microsoft ToS in Greek from here.
Microsoft Edge has settings for adding languages, and spelling dictionaries, and of course uses Bing as its search engine.
Finally, Microsoft Edge made a start. I can not and do not want to make any predictions for the new browser of the company. What is certain is that we need several updates to have a reliable application, without bugs. Google's dominance of Chrome in the browser market share could be beaten by a Microsoft company that already has millions of users through Windows and Office. The idea of using an open source application is very clever, as long as the development of Microsoft browser continues to be enriched with new features and innovations.
