Microsoft is developing a
new, streamlined web browser that will replace Internet Explorer, in an
apparent attempt to move towards other popular browsers like Chrome and
Firefox.
The browser, codenamed Spartan, is set to be shown off on January 21 when Microsoft demonstrates its new Windows 10 operating system (OS), according to people close to the firm. But it might not be ready for release when the early version of the software launches the same month. It will be available for both desktop and mobile versions of the operating system.
The browser, codenamed Spartan, is set to be shown off on January 21 when Microsoft demonstrates its new Windows 10 operating system (OS), according to people close to the firm. But it might not be ready for release when the early version of the software launches the same month. It will be available for both desktop and mobile versions of the operating system.
Though the new browser will
be the default one in future versions of the OS, Windows 10 will ship with a
new and backwards-compatible version of Internet Explorer, IE 12, too. The new
browser will still use many of the same technologies as Explorer, but will have
a stripped down look and feel, and will support extensions. Spartan will
still use Microsoft's Chakra JavaScript engine and Microsoft's Trident
rendering engine. Lack of security is one of the negative perceptions about
IE. The browser has improved a lot nowadays but its reputation has not changed.
IE is also behind its competitors since it does not have extensions
While the company has long been thought to be planning an overhaul of its browser for the new OS, it was previously expected that would come as an update to IE rather than as a separate app. IE was released in 1995 and has since gone through 11 versions. It initially dominated the market, but competitors like Firefox and Chrome have steadily taken its share.
Nevertheless, most would argue that IE has substantially improved from prior versions, even if some techies pooh using it in favor of an alternative. It would seem, however, that Microsoft might be best served by making Spartan a choice in upcoming tech previews, then settling on a single browser for future versions. Assuming that Spartan lives up to what are its promises—lightweight, standards-compliant, available on multiple platforms—then Microsoft could launch Spartan as Apple launched OS X: a radical revamp, yes, but one with enormous benefits as a foundation for future development.
While the company has long been thought to be planning an overhaul of its browser for the new OS, it was previously expected that would come as an update to IE rather than as a separate app. IE was released in 1995 and has since gone through 11 versions. It initially dominated the market, but competitors like Firefox and Chrome have steadily taken its share.
Nevertheless, most would argue that IE has substantially improved from prior versions, even if some techies pooh using it in favor of an alternative. It would seem, however, that Microsoft might be best served by making Spartan a choice in upcoming tech previews, then settling on a single browser for future versions. Assuming that Spartan lives up to what are its promises—lightweight, standards-compliant, available on multiple platforms—then Microsoft could launch Spartan as Apple launched OS X: a radical revamp, yes, but one with enormous benefits as a foundation for future development.
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