Earlier in the week we reported that Microsoft is allegedly building an entirely new web browser to be launched with the new Windows update, Windows 10.
Apparently, the new browser is specifically designed to be more streamlined and a so-called “˜light-weight‘ browser. The browser is supposedly codenamed “˜Spartan‘ for now, and will be completely separate from Microsoft‘s long-standing flagship browser, Internet Explorer.
Now, reports are stating that “˜Spartan‘ will include a whole bunch of new features, some of which haven‘t been included in other, rival browsers. This is a big step from Microsoft, considering that Internet Explorer has been lacking behind other browsers for years.
A big step, but one that is no doubt necessary.
Perhaps one of the biggest reported new features to be included in “˜Spartan‘, is the integration of Cortana – Microsoft‘s digital assistant and Siri‘s biggest rival.
It is believed that users will be able to use the address bar in the new browser to get Cortana‘s assistance. Things Cortana will help with will mainly be linked to her tracking abilities, thus allowing the user to search for any information that she is tracking. These will include travel dates, flight info etc.
Microsoft has been doing a lot of work on Cortana over the past year and ha s slowly but surely been integrating her into many of their various platforms.
As for other, smaller features poised to be included into “˜Spartan‘, there are a few, with the most notable one being the tab grouping feature. This will allow users to group tabs together according to their preference, a la Safari.
Sources are saying that Microsoft wants to make “˜Spartan‘ a single browser that works both on desktop and smartphones as well as tablets. The browser will have a similar look and feel across all the devices it is available on.
“˜Spartan‘ will most likely be released as an app on the Windows Store. A smart move as this will in turn help the browser to get updates outside of Windows‘ core updates.
Naturally, Microsfot is keeping mum and hasn‘t made any official announcement on the development of “˜Spartan‘. We will have to keep a look out for the inevitable announcement.
Source: Mashable
