After Microsoft’s dedicated 20 years to its web browser Internet Explorer, the company is now getting ready to turn a new page and introduce an IE replacement. The company’s next Windows operating system will rely not on Internet Explorer, but on a browser called Spartan. Although this information is yet to be confirmed by Microsoft, similar rumours have been surfacing for a few months now. Here are all the facts you need to know about IE’s successor.
Codename: “Spartan”
“Spartan” is said to be only the codename of the browser. Therefore, the official name of the final product will probably be different. However, sources share that the Windows 10 browser will not function as a new version or an update of Internet Explorer. Instead, it will be a completely new browser.
Firefox and Chrome Resemblance
The Spartan browser will distance itself from Microsoft’s IE. Its design will remind more of those of Mozilla’s Firefox and Google’s Chrome. Lately, Chrome and Firefox have many things in common, like highly-customizable appearance and features, drag-and-drop functionality and etc. With Spartan, that “family” is likely to increase with one more member.
Extensions Support
Again, just like Chrome and Firefox, Microsoft’s new browser is rumoured to support extensions. That is great news, since one of the most wished-for features for Internet Explorer has always been extensions support.
Light-Weight Browser
One of the things for which IE has always been criticized was its always-increasing memory usage. That naturally makes the browser slower and bleeds the memory of the Windows operating system. Spartan, however, is said to be a very light browser.
Both Desktop and Mobile
Microsoft’s Spartan browser is expected to be compatible with both desktop and mobile devices. That is partly due to the fact that Windows 10 is designed to be a universal OS that will be supported by all types of gadgets and PCs. Also, the rising mobile trend is another good reason for this decision of Microsoft.
Internet Explorer Will Still be Around
IE is not going anywhere… at least for now. For one, it is the default browser of all other Windows operating system. Also, the desktop version of Windows 10 is reported to come with both Spartan and Internet Explorer 11.
Spartan Will be Unveiled This Month
IE’s successor is expected to be unveiled on January 21. This is the date on which Microsoft is predicted to share more about Windows 10 at a special event. The Spartan browser will probably be among them as well. Nevertheless, the new browser will probably be introduced to users only on paper, since the technology company is said to be still working on it. Moreover, Spartan may not even be included in the upcoming Technical Preview version of Windows 10 that will roll out this month.
It is not clear whether Microsoft new web browser will become available for users of older Windows operating systems. Also, there is no information on whether the company plans to make Spartan available on Android and iOS devices. However, all these questions will find their answers on January 21.
