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Microsoft's Chromium-Based Edge Browser Looks Just Like Chrome (neowin.net)
Last December, Microsoft announced that it has embraced Google's Chromium open source project for Edge development on the desktop, a move that shocked many. We now have some leaked screenshots of the browser in its current state, and they appear to show a browser resembling Google Chrome. Neowin reports: A lot of the design language and icons have remained similar to what they were like before, but there are definitely many changes that will be familiar to Chrome users. For one, the options to see all your tabs and to set aside the currently open tabs have been removed compared to the current version of Edge. To the right of the address bar, you'll be able to find your extensions, as well as your profile picture similar to what Chrome looks like. Bing is integrated into the browser -- as you'd expect of a Microsoft-made browser -- and the New Tab background can be set to rotate based on Bing's image of the day. Scrolling down will reveal a personalized news feed powered by Microsoft News, similar to the old Edge. The layout of the feed can be customised based on your preference from among a number of options.
The settings options for the browser have also changed. While Edge settings are currently available via a slide-out menu from the right, the new Edge's settings are accessible through a new tab similar to Chrome. It'll show the Microsoft account you're logged into, as well as the usual array of toggles and tidbits you'd expect. Ominously, the about page for the browser now acknowledges the contributions of the Chromium project, as well as other open source software, a stark reminder that this isn't the Microsoft of yesteryear. This is a new browser, and a new Microsoft.
The settings options for the browser have also changed. While Edge settings are currently available via a slide-out menu from the right, the new Edge's settings are accessible through a new tab similar to Chrome. It'll show the Microsoft account you're logged into, as well as the usual array of toggles and tidbits you'd expect. Ominously, the about page for the browser now acknowledges the contributions of the Chromium project, as well as other open source software, a stark reminder that this isn't the Microsoft of yesteryear. This is a new browser, and a new Microsoft.
The GIANT was Microsoft. They had a 20+ year lead! They blew it. Over. And Over. And IE7-11... It's beyond even posting a link about for chrissake. Google came in, saw barely-eaten lunch, and the rest is monopoly-for-a-reason-instead.
As much as Google is xyz_bad_thing, Microsoft has been xyz_bad_thing for 20 years, in every single direction including search monetization. Google is simply not as completely incompetent in every single thing they have attempted.
Horse-race won, windows 10 by a lap.
Frankly IMO it's amazing Mozilla is still halfway competitive, I don't like a lot of the pocket'ing dumb moves, the NPAPI environment switching does-and-does-not help the environment,
but from a grand view it's Firefox I trust as a brand least likely of the three to try to steal my data and market it back to me unwillingly. On that basis Mozilla gets my support dollars.
When I use chrome, I cripple the fuck out of it so it's as slow as Firefox anyway.
Firefox is notoriously difficult to use for this purpose. It's why you never see it done outside of just rebranding it entirely like Waterfox and Ice Weasel.
Mozilla has rested stubbornly on their laurels for 20 years. Turning that ship around and making changes will be hard. The other part of this though is that people do not see Google going away any time soon. Using their engine is a safe bet. Mozilla could be dead in a year based on market share, declining interest and a general perception of being last centuries tech. Right or wrong thats how it is.
Also, I have heard and can't prove that Google is incentivizing companies/orgs to use Chrome. I would not doubt if there wa smoney changing hands here.