According to a new report, Microsoft is working on rebuilding the Edge browser with a more modern version that has a better UI and more productivity features to help Edge stand out in a Chrome-dominated market.
Edge Phoenix is an internal concept that Microsoft has been working on since the summer of 2022, and some of these new features are already available in the Microsoft Edge preview version. For example, the recently discovered split-screen view, rounded corners and Mica material handling.
Other concepts and ideas for Edge Phoenix have yet to emerge. Windows Central reports that Microsoft is working on a Tab Activity Center feature to provide customers with inside information on browser usage. Think of Tab Activity Center as a localization of the Screen Time feature on iOS (also similar to Digital Health on Android).
Microsoft is also considering transforming Edge into a system-wide password manager (the browser already has one of the best-in-class password managers) and allowing users to start and run Edge during initial Windows setup.
Edge’s slow year-over-year growth in the desktop market suggests that Microsoft needs to step up its efforts and offer a more compelling product to customers. Edge Phoenix could be the fresh force that helps Microsoft reinvigorate its browser.
