Microsoft finally brings its Windows-exclusive Edge browser to Android and iOS platforms. The new mobile versions are now available in beta at the initial stage.
One of the major reasons for bringing Microsoft Edge for iOS and Android is to enable "continue on PC" functionality of the browser that arrived with Windows 10 back in June 2015. The feature in question eventually allows you to sync your web browsing experience between an Android or iOS device and a Windows 10 PC. It has so far been limiting Window users to switch to Edge browser despite its months of availability.
Microsoft asserts that users of Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 have requested to bring a unified browsing experience. "One of the most common requests we hear from people who use Windows 10 PCs is 'we want our browsing experience to move to our phones'. You spoke, we listened," writes Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president for Windows and Devices, Microsoft, in a blog post.
Apart from syncing, the Microsoft Edge mobile versions, it has features such as Favourites, Reading List, New Tab Page and Reading View. These originally arrived on Windows PCs. Also, the ultimate package makes Edge a competitive offering against Apple's Safari and Google's Chrome.
Limitations on the first launch
However, basics like night mode, roaming, passwords and even the iPad version on the iOS version of Microsoft Edge are missing. The preview release of the browser is also limited to Android and iOS users with US-English. The Redmond giant is in plans to add support for more regions and languages in the coming future.
Microsoft's move with the Android and iOS release of its Edge browser is undoubtedly aiming to get expanded in the market for web browsers. It even plans to capture some share of Chrome and Safari that are among the leading offerings. But the limited list of features and the beta release -- especially with no plans for a final version -- makes the latest development less shiny than what the company often brings to the tech world.
According to the data provided by web traffic analysis tool StatCounter for September 2017, Microsoft Edge holds a market share of 4.3 percent. This is significantly lower than the leaders as Chrome dominates the market with nearly 64 percent of share and Safari stands in the fourth position by capturing over five percent of the total market.
