Chromium-based Edge: Linux support and IE integration

[harlan4096]

Microsoft's upcoming Chromium-based version of Microsoft Edge has not been unveiled officially but leaks give us a good idea of what to expect from the new browser.

Some features were overlooked in the initial reviews. When Microsoft launched the Edge browser, it made it a Windows 10 exclusive. While you could gain access to Microsoft Edge using a Virtual Machine, exclusivity meant that Edge did not get off to a good start.

Windows 10 users could not sync data between Edge on Windows 10 and their mobile applications. This changed with the release of Microsoft Edge for mobile devices. The decision to release the browser for non-Microsoft operating systems but not the still-supported Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 did not sit well with customers who were still using these operating systems.

The new Chromium-based Edge will be available for other platforms according to Microsoft. The company mentioned Mac OS X specifically but it is very likely that it will also be available for Linux.

Probably the best indicator that Microsoft Edge will be available for Linux is found in Microsoft Edge itself. Load edge://flags and look at the compatibility information that is displayed next to each experiment.

You find Linux listed there for many of the experiments and not only Windows or Mac. Microsoft did edit these, as you don't find Chrome OS listed there or mobile operating systems.

The listing is an indicator but no verification; there is none at the time. It is still up to Microsoft to release the new Edge for Linux. Chance is good that this is going to happen.

Continue Reading