New Screenshots Detail Spartan Web Browser For Windows 10 Smartphones

MojoKid writes One of the most anticipated new features in Windows 10 is the Spartan web browser, which will replace the long-serving Internet Explorer. We've seen Spartan in action on the desktop/notebook front, but we're now getting a closer look at Spartan in action on the mobile side thanks to some newly leaked screenshots. Perhaps the biggest change with Spartan is the repositioning of the address bar from the bottom of the screen to the top (which is also in line with other mobile browsers like Safari and Chrome). The refresh button has also been moved from its right-hand position within the address bar to a new location to the left of the address bar. Reading Lists also make an appearance in this latest build of Spartan along with Microsoft's implementation of "Hubs" on Windows 10 for mobile devices.

Comments

Staying with the Halo theme eh?

[Karmashock]

I'm just amused that they're calling their voice recognition system Cortana and they're apparently calling their browser the Spartan.

These are both references to the game Halo. The AI assistant to the Master Chief was known as Cortana and the Master Chief was some kind of cyborg military super soldier that was referred to as a "spartian".

I can't wait for them to name something "the flood" ... I have to keep my eyes open for any further references. The whole thing is pretty funny.

Re:Staying with the Halo theme eh?

[Anonymous Coward]

"I can't wait for them to name something truly useful as "FOSS" ... I have to keep my eyes open for any further references."

"The whole thing is pretty funny."

Oh.. yeah.. I'm laughing my head off. What a hoot, right? I just can't stop laughing! Hahaha! Man, what a company, am I right? Woo. I'm tired from so much laughter, wait, there it comes again, hahahah! Wee! I hope this ride never stops, silly Microsoft. Wahah there I go again!

Re:Staying with the Halo theme eh?

[GreatDrok]

Yeah, that's not what "the Halo effect" means Microsoft.

Re:Staying with the Halo theme eh?

[__rze__]

Exactly. This Microsoft hate is getting old. Even the Windows Phone jokes are getting old.

I for one, think that WP has improved a lot and WP8.1 is much easier to use than android and its ilk. I also have the Note4 flagship and it comes nowhere near the streamlined UI and efficient usage of WP. (Inb4 you need clean android, samsung UI is shit, etc) Even now, I'd rather use the $100 Lumia 535 than my Note4. It can do everything the flagship can do and does it so efficiently. And I don't have to fear dropping it or losing it.

I am not one of those who are stroking the glass of a touchscreen all day long. I want to get the information I need as quickly as possible and go on with my life. WP does that, and I'm really excited what WP10 will bring. The right tool for the right job. Nothing more nothing less. Time is the only resource that is finite and can never be brought/bought back.

Microsoft begins to understand what made Apple what it is now and it's taking the right path. Surface 3, Cortana (extremely good and efficient thingy, saves a lot of time beside being fun to use), HoloLens, Free OSupgrades, excellent mobile hardware, listening to customers, opening up for android/linux (that's a first!), etc Things are changing and I like where this is going.

And privacy? Selling your data? You can forget that anyway. You have to go way out of your way to ensure even minimal privacy, which then again, you waste your _TIME_... which never returns.

At some point, some depressed pilot crashes you into a mountain and you can kiss your ass goodbye. Then you can ask yourself, 'was it worth my time?'

Re:Staying with the Halo theme eh?

[__rze__]

Do you guys get paid overtime to work on Saturday? I guess because two of you reinforce each other that means the zeitgeist in slashdot has shifted and it is now cool to like m$ and ragetard to hate on it? LOLZ, I don't think so.

Haha, obviously you misunderstood the entire thing.

TL;DR> Use the right tool for the job. Use what works for you best. Save time. Enjoy your life. It is OK if others think you are a hipster to like M$.

Re:Staying with the Halo theme eh?

[__rze__]

hahahaha, you got me! That's good, I feel so embarrassed now. j/k So, you're a fanboy and the right tool for the job for you will always be provided by microsoft, that's cool, just be upfront about it, ok?

I don't think that anyone would think you are a hipster for liking M$. Is that what you meant to write or did you mistype?

Unsure why you are so aggressive.

Actually, I use SL6 (due to EDA tool compatibility issues) daily at research work and linux mint on my home/entertainment machine. I also have a W8.1 Lenovo X201 with a linux mint VM for mobile ssh work and powerpoint presentations. And a Lumia 535 and Note4 for work / pleasure.

Why am I a M$ fanboy?

Spartans

[rossdee]

So they expect to sell 300 of them then

So?

[senatorpjt]

It looks like a browser. Screenshots don't really tell you anything about a web browser's performance and compatibility, which is the most important thing. OTOH, there is an unbelievable amount of wasted screen space on those screenshots, Displaying the time horizontally and off center like that is both ugly and stupid.

Re: Because you call it Spartan instead of IE

[Bing Tsher E]

MSIE is still preinstalled. It's not considered their competitive browser by Microsoft. It's there more as a utility. Microsoft will 'compete' with third party browsers on a more level playing field with this new browser.

In fact Microsoft has done nearly everything possible now to level the plaing field browser-wise. You have to hate Microsoft in a pathological way to not let up on some of the old bullshit hate-billyware thing. In continuing to sputter and fury the more infected and irrational cranks will identify themselves to us.

The general fury will die down eventually until it's like it already is with BSOD references, which are only made now by angry trolls who haven't touched a Microsoft product in over a decade.

Ad Blocking?

[Anonymous Coward]

If it can block ads, I'll think about switching to Windows Phone.
If it can block all of the other non-advertising bullshit that I see when I try to browse the web on my phone, I'll buy a Windows Phone tomorrow.

Seriously.

The mobile web is such an incredibly shitty experience. I used to be excited about carrying around a computer in my pocket, and I still am... if I can avoid using the web browser.

No, I don't want to install your app. No, I do not want to share this story on face book, twitter, or my space. I haven't even fucking read it yet. GTFO.

I especially don't want the top of my device's screen taken up by an element that won't disappear when I scroll down, just so I can be reminded what site I am on the entire time I read the article.

I'm waiting for a mobile browser that makes the web experience on mobile more user-friendly.
Right now the experience is crapped on by advertisers and webcrap developers that implement the latest design trend.
Maybe Spartan can bring some sanity to the picture.

I really like it when I load a site, start reading, and scroll down to continue reading, only to have the page shift around on me when the browser finally loads a video player or something at the top of the page. But my absolute favorite is when I get to a site that has dropdown menus that require a click to activate. Press, and a menu comes down, and the page refreshes (closing the dropdown menu) before I have time to read (let alone tap on) the items. Huh? Am I doing something wrong here?

Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but I miss the days when most websites looked like http://www.tldp.org
I can navigate that just fine on my phone.

Since it's unlikely that webcrap developers will all collectively pull their heads out of their asses, maybe the browser guys can help fix the problems.

Come on, Microsoft. Here's your chance to earn my business and respect.