Microsoft's Edge browser is finally ready for your phone. But how many people will actually use it?
The company announced that the mobile version of its successor to Internet Explorer has moved out of preview and is now available for download on Android and iOS. The browser was released for public testing in October, giving “hundreds of thousands” of users the chance to install the app and provide feedback to Microsoft.
The big advantage of Edge is that the app allows users to work seamlessly between Windows 10 devices and their smartphones with the Continue on PC feature, which interacts between mobile and desktop browsing.
Some other standout features carry over from the Edge desktop , like the default favorites and reading lists. However, very few people actually use Edge on their computers, so a mobile version may not be as successful. Microsoft claims that “hundreds of thousands” of people have tested the Edge preview, but only 4.5% of PC owners use Edge, according to the latest statistics from NetMarketShare. Nearly 60% of web browsing is done via Google Chrome, which is also the most popular mobile browser.
Microsoft is hoping that new features like roaming passwords, which allow users to save login details for mobile and desktop access, could help it capture more market share for the browser. Success may not be possible without a significant PC presence, but Microsoft deserves at least some kudos for putting in the effort to create Edge.
If anything, it could be a pretty good browser to choose from, so a free download wouldn't hurt. The final choice is yours.
