Microsoft continues to look for ways to promote Internet Explorer. The negative perception surrounding the company's browser name has it seriously considering changing it and adopting a different one.
We've already heard from various sources that Internet Explorer 12 could come with a completely redesigned UI and new features, such as (finally) support for third-party extensions. According to ZDNet, it seems that Microsoft has already chosen a new name for Internet Explorer 12.
The site reports that the company's engineers are internally calling the browser "Spartan," but it's not yet clear whether the same codename could be used when the application reaches the market.
Microsoft is probably hoping that changing the name of its browser could actually signal the beginning of a whole new era for Internet Explorer, as the application will come with a refreshed look, new features, and many other improvements to security and reliability.
Reports of a “Spartan” app already exist in Windows 9
Few have noticed, but screenshots leaked last week showing the preview version of Windows 9 include small references to an app called “Spartan,” which could be a test build of the new Internet Explorer .
Microsoft also mentions the name “Spartan” in a job posting recently posted on its website , as it seeks technicians to “ship task completion features via web/app services on bing.com, Cortana, Bing search apps, Spartan/Office/Skype/etc. and external search API.”
Microsoft a company techie recently confirmed in a Reddit session that Redmond is aiming for a name change for the browser in order to combat negative perceptions and start fresh with a new version.
Project XAX could help develop Spartan
As the aforementioned source reports, Microsoft could use the XAX project developed by Microsoft Research to build the new Internet Explorer 12 and implement support for third-party extensions and x86 code that can be used directly in the browser.
Here is a detailed description of the XAX project, as provided by Microsoft:
“XAX is a browser plugin model that allows developers to leverage existing tools, libraries, and entire programs to deliver feature-rich applications over the web. Xax provides a new combination of mechanisms that collectively provide security, OS independence, performance, and support for code.”
Probably everything will become clear with the release of Internet Explorer 12 which should be part of Windows 9. With the release of the new operating system we will see if the name change is valid. If it is valid and remains only a name change without bringing new stability and security features, Microsoft 's move will be unnecessary.
