Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

Microsoft Has A Dumb Idea To Make People Use Its Web Browser

posted by janrinok on Sunday March 18 2018, @12:25AM   Printer-friendly
from the it-ain't-what-you-do-its-the-way-that-you-do-it dept.

Arthur T Knackerbracket has found the following story:

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.

Original Submission

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Microsoft Has A Dumb Idea To Make People Use Its Web Browser | Log In/Create an Account | Top | 97 comments | Search Discussion
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.

  • (Score: 4, Insightful) by Azuma Hazuki on Sunday March 18 2018, @04:04AM (5 children)

    by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Sunday March 18 2018, @04:04AM (#654340) Journal

    This isn't even a good troll :(

    Look, a good troll needs some finesse to it. You don't have that certain way with words some other people do, and you just come off sounding juvenile and intellectually limited instead of tough or trenchant or witty. It's the difference between lighting a fart and lighting a stick of dynamite in the middle of a crowded room.

    --
    I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
    Starting Score:    1  point
    Moderation   +2  
       Insightful=1, Interesting=1, Total=2
    Extra 'Insightful' Modifier   0  
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  
    Total Score:   4  

  • (Score: 2) by cocaine overdose on Sunday March 18 2018, @12:59PM (4 children)

    by cocaine overdose (6886) <cocaineoverdose@protonmail.com> on Sunday March 18 2018, @12:59PM (#654448) Homepage Journal
    This isn't a troll. Maybe you haven't talked to anyone outside the cultural echo chamber, but these are my honest opinions. Edge is a good browser, Firefox has become pretty bad, and the alternatives are made by FOSS programmers who can't understand good UX/UI. If you want to liberate your mind of your preconceptions, I would be happy to help. But right now, you're just coming off as a neurotypical bigot.

    • (Score: 3, Informative) by Azuma Hazuki on Sunday March 18 2018, @03:11PM (1 child)

      by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Sunday March 18 2018, @03:11PM (#654482) Journal

      That was an even worse troll. Come on, you're not even trying now.

      --
      I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...

      • (Score: 1) by cocaine overdose on Sunday March 18 2018, @03:20PM

        by cocaine overdose (6886) <cocaineoverdose@protonmail.com> on Sunday March 18 2018, @03:20PM (#654488) Homepage Journal
        Do you see the pattern here? Of being told to up my troll game again and again? Perhaps, again, I'm not trolling. Or you're stuck in the same frame, because it would cause mental pain to break free otherwise. Do whatever you wish, Anime Girl, but you're wrong and that's all I have for you.

    • (Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 18 2018, @04:00PM (1 child)

      by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 18 2018, @04:00PM (#654514)

      I have to use Microsoft stuff at work, and if you think they're good at UX/UI design, I've got a nice bridge to sell you.