You Can Now Register to Try Out Microsoft’s Chromium Browser (Windows 10)

Softpedia News ^ | Dec 21, 2018 | Bogdan Popa

[dayglored]

Microsoft starts accepting beta testers for the new Edge

Microsoft is currently working on building a new browser after its EdgeHTML experiment failed, so now the company is transitioning to Chromium for an approach that just can’t go wrong.

The software giant has started receiving beta testers for the new browser, as it’s now likely finalizing the preview build due in early 2019.

What’s important to know is that registering today doesn’t provide you with a download link, but only adds your name to the list of beta testers that will receive the preview build of the new Microsoft Edge when it launches sometime next year.

Microsoft clearly wants to take the development stage of the new browser seriously, so it’s hoping that beta testers can help it improve the application significantly before pushing the go-ahead button.Preview expected in early 2019

There’s no ETA as to when the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge is expected to be finalized, but it should happen sometime next year. The browser could be offered in the fall of 2019 Windows 10 feature update.

Microsoft says that by moving to Chromium, the company can “make the web a better place for everyone,” as it’ll contribute to the project and invest in open source.

“We announced that we will adopt the Chromium open source project in the development of Microsoft Edge on the desktop to create better web compatibility for our customers, and less fragmentation of the web for all web developers,” the company says.

“We’ve meaningfully increased our open source participation and we’re determined to be good members of the OSS community. This project is an exciting next step and we're eager to learn from you.”

If you want to register for the Chromium Edge beta testing program, click here to enter your details. We’ll let you know when the first preview build becomes available for download for beta users.

[Alas Babylon!]

Years from now, Microsoft will develop some new software that literally lets you explore the internet.

They might call it “Internet Explorer”.

[nicollo]

Question: What else is wrong with EDGE that I missed ?

The problem with Edge is that it is fully HTML5 compliant while Google websites are not, even though the company signed on to that goal. For example, Edge does not render YouTube well because YouTube employs a deprecated API, Polymer, that Google maintains in the Chrome engine. It's two-faced and typical of the "do no harm" hypocrites in Mountain View.

The most salient complaint I have seen about Edge is the absence of history search, which has driven off many users. MS was trying to move users to TimeLine, but it was a mistake to not include history search meanwhile.

I like Edge a lot, especially its favorites functionality and how it syncs perfectly across devices. If a website doesn't work in Edge, I just hit the "open in Internet Explorer" link or go to Firefox, which I trust.

It's too bad MS is caving on this one, but the white flag has been the strategy post-Balmer.

[nicollo]

I agree. See my post above.

[dayglored]

> It's too bad MS is caving on this one, but the white flag has been the strategy post-Balmer.

I would call it bowing to practical necessity, rather than surrender. Ballmer’s style was extreme in the direction of “Whatever we do is right by definition and f**k the rest of the world”, which only works for a while. Eventually it runs headlong into reality. Ballmer’s approach outlived its usefulness and he damn near ruined the company.

I’m not particularly a fan of Nadella, and certainly there are still mistakes being made as they turn the big ship to a new course, but he has a pragmatic approach which is serving Microsoft better than Ballmer’s arrogant, and ultimately misguided, bluster.

[stylin19a]

thanks for the clarity...

[stylin19a]

Vivaldi is very fast

That's a fact. I'm working it out now.
I'm pretty sure I will be changing to this and adiosing SlimJet.

Thanx for the tip.

[Pearls Before Swine]

IMHO, a superior product with near zero recognition and market share.