Microsoft is reportedly running internal tests looking for feedback for a modern reimagining of the Microsoft Edge web browser. Specifically, the company wants to introduce a new user interface and add more productivity tools. The work is happening currently under the name Project Phoenix.
Windows Central reports Microsoft Edge Project Phoenix is mostly a concept that the company is working on behind closed doors. It has been under development since midway through 2022 and is designed to help Edge better compete against market leader Google Chrome.
It seems that Microsoft is looking to add interesting features to Project Phoenix and has been asking testers internally to provide feedback. Some of those features have already made their way to preview builds of the current Edge browser.
One example is the new Split View feature that I reported on this week. While this is a split screen tool, it has different behavior to classic desktop screen splitting that is already available on Windows. Specifically, the Split Screen in Microsoft Edge will split two tabs into a single window instead of splitting two windows onto the screen.
'Phoenix' was an 'imaginary' version of Edge, appeared as an internal concept video from MS User Research team, with new UI/features, it's a project to collect feedbacks internally for Edge development directions/priorities, 'Split-Screen' was the most liked feature of Phoenix🤓 pic.twitter.com/DRrLwN8x01
— WalkingCat (@_h0x0d_) January 26, 2023
Phoenix
Among the rumored features for Edge Phoenix is a Tab Activity Center to allow users to see how they are using the browser. Microsoft is also reportedly exploring the possibility of Edge becoming the system-wide password manager on Windows.
However, it is unlikely that any of these features will do much to push up Edge usage. While Microsoft's browser has been growing its user-base consistently, it still lags far behind Google Chrome. While the features and a new-look Edge Phoenix are interesting, they are unlikely to move the needle too much and will not appeal to casual users.
Tip of the day: Do you get flooded by notifications from apps and want to disable them completely or just the notification sound? Our tutorial shows you how to do this. As an alternative, you can also configure Windows Focus Assist (Do Not Disturb Mode) and set quiet hours.
