Microsoft Discontinues Edge Browser, Switching To Google Chromium

It is being reported by The Verge and Windows Central that Microsoft has plans to discontinue their Edge Browser. Apparently, Microsoft is going to build a new Internet browser using Chromium technology which is an open source project upon which the Google Chrome browser is also based. As a computer technician and website designer, this announcement is huge!

Long have I struggled with Microsoft's inconsistent adherence to Internet standards and their buggy web browser technology. As a computer technician we see recurring Microsoft browser crashes, website incompatibilities, and other oddities that impact customer productivity and create end-user frustration. As a website designer it is equally frustrating because we must regularly check our projects on Microsoft's Internet browsers to see what breaks. Any experienced website designer can regale you with stories about how their website project looked and worked great in Firefox and Chrome but broke when displayed in Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer.

In my opinion, Microsoft should have made this decision years ago. I am hopeful that Microsoft’s decision demonstrates that they are finally ready to embrace and adhere to Internet standards. However, I am also a realist -- with Microsoft’s track record, they may continue to think that their way is the best way and create a new Chromium-based browser that runs just as slow and buggy as Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge.

Either way, I think Microsoft is finally acknowledging that Google is *not* another Netscape.

EXTERNAL LINKS

Read the Windows Central article.

Read the The Verge article.