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from the it-ain't-what-you-do-its-the-way-that-you-do-it dept.
Microsoft is trying a new brute-force tactic to boost adoption of its Edge browser. In the latest preview version of Windows 10, Microsoft’s Mail app will automatically open web links in Edge, even for users who’ve set a different browser as their default. Doing so, Microsoft says, will ensure “the best, most secure and consistent experience on Windows 10 and across your devices.”
That’s not exactly true. Although Edge has gotten a lot better since it replaced Internet Explorer as the main Windows browser in 2015, and is now available on iOS and Android, it doesn’t yet sync tabs across devices like Chrome and Mozilla Firefox can. Also, the iPad version is still in beta, and the Android version isn’t compatible with tablets.
Besides, ignoring people’s default browser choice only makes the experience less consistent, because users end up with open web pages scattered across multiple browsers.
CNET has the following to say:
In a note to testers published on Microsoft's website Friday, the company seems to acknowledge it's a bit heavy-handed, and an unusual shift. But, the company believes it's worth doing anyway.
"We will begin testing a change where links clicked on within the Windows Mail app will open in Microsoft Edge, which provides the best, most secure and consistent experience on Windows 10 and across your devices," the company said in a note to "Windows Insider" testers.
The move struck some people as odd, particularly because of Microsoft's colorful history with web browsers. Two decades ago, the company chose to offer its Internet Explorer web browser for free with Windows, effectively beating its rival Netscape. But it also attracted the attention of regulators, kicking off one of the most high-profile antitrust suits in the industry's history.
Industry watchers and users raised concerns about Microsoft repeating similar mistakes with this move, noting that the company has touted diversity of apps by different developers as a selling point.
(Score: 2) by captain normal on Sunday March 18 2018, @01:14AM (17 children)
Are there actually people who still use these things? Even if they sometimes (or usually) use a Win OS?
When life isn't going right, go left.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Runaway1956 on Sunday March 18 2018, @01:23AM (7 children)
Sadly, yes. Pick a random work place, that isn't technical. For that matter, you can probably do the same with a lot of tech places - the average worker isn't necessarily technically sophisticated. Start talking to people about browsers, or anything computer related. People are simply out of touch, technically. They don't know, don't care to know. Whatever comes default on their computer, is what they use, and default is Microsoft.
(Score: 2, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 18 2018, @02:52AM (4 children)
THIS! I can't tell you how many of my clients go blank when you ask them which browser they use.
"I don't know what that means. I just click on my Internet."
So many of them are so clueless, I wonder why they even have a computer.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 18 2018, @03:22AM
They're telling you that they do know what it means, and they believe you're being arrogant by asking instead of just being a good little boy and fixing it.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 18 2018, @01:02PM (1 child)
What's a computer?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 19 2018, @12:19PM
> What's a computer?
I'm so glad my 4 year old daughter knows what a computer is (and that they come in all shapes and sizes).
That advert makes me so angry. I'm not sure if it is the specific not-knowing-what-a-computer-is or the celebrating of ignorance that annoys me more.
(Score: 3, Funny) by HiThere on Sunday March 18 2018, @05:39PM
It took me literally years to get my wife to not think the browser was part of the operating system. I don't think I ever did convince her that the monitor wasn't the computer. Of course, at some point she switched to a laptop, and I gave up on that argument.
Javascript is what you use to allow unknown third parties to run software you have no idea about on your computer.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 18 2018, @09:10PM (1 child)
I do work for a *major* corporation. They are currently doing an audit and making sure all machines are using IE 11 and removing other browsers while they prep for an update to Windows 10 and Edge. It isn't limited to non-technical companies.
(Score: 2) by Wootery on Wednesday March 21 2018, @11:35AM
In Microsoft's defence, IE11 and Edge are much better than the old IEs.
(Sent from Firefox, for what that's worth.)
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Sunday March 18 2018, @01:30AM (3 children)
"Bing (or whatever it is now)"
Bing is not bing?
Bong?
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Sunday March 18 2018, @02:07AM
More like boing as the gears and springs pop out of my computer.
(Score: 2) by canopic jug on Sunday March 18 2018, @07:39AM (1 child)
You're saying it wrong. It is 病 pronounced bìng [digitaljournal.com]
Money is not free speech. Elections should not be auctions.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 18 2018, @08:19AM
[thumbs up emoji]
(Score: 1, Offtopic) by MichaelDavidCrawford on Sunday March 18 2018, @02:00AM (3 children)
Thurber he. Her
Yes I Have No Bananas. [gofundme.com]
(Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 18 2018, @02:27AM (1 child)
MDCP
(Score: 2) by MichaelDavidCrawford on Sunday March 18 2018, @09:28AM
As well as to Deputies in both Clark County Washington and Multnomah County Oregon.
I gave them all links to my article about all the CP in Bing.
The FBI never responded.
The Deputies both told me to Keep up the good work.
Yes I Have No Bananas. [gofundme.com]
(Score: 2) by chromas on Monday March 19 2018, @04:37PM
Not sure what the comment is but I concur with the title. Bing is more superiorerer to than Google for porn search.
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Sunday March 18 2018, @02:18AM
Sadder, there are many people who don't know what the term "operating system" is. They don't know the term "browser". They don't know what "app" means or where it derived from. They don't know what an email client is, or what "webmail" means. They think "device" is a proper name. If they know their computer runs Windows, they likely have no idea what version; but since MS has been forcing "upgrades" to Win10, I guess it's safe to assume most of them would be on 10 by now.