Microsoft developed Edge to compete with the best

Three years ago, Microsoft decided to retire their beleaguered Internet Explorer browser.  It was a disaster, riddled with critical security flaws and technologically far behind Chrome and Firefox.  The company vowed to do better, so they started fresh and introduced Microsoft Edge. It was designed to compete head-to-head with the big name browsers that have dominated the web for years.

Unfortunately, despite the company's lofty ambitions, the Edge browser didn't fare much better than the product it replaced.  Rumors have been flying for weeks, and the latest industry buzz is that Microsoft is throwing in the towel on Edge and building a new browser based on Google's Chromium technology.

Project Anaheim

Although there's no mention of "Project Anaheim" anywhere on the Microsoft website, that's the name that's been circulating in recent weeks associated with the new build.  According to industry insiders, the new browser could start making an appearance as Windows 10's default browser as of build 19H1, and available to participants in the Microsoft Insider Preview program.

Details are obviously sketchy at this point, but what we do know is that the new browser will be powered by the Blink rendering engine, and that EdgeHTML is officially being phased out.

It's an interesting move, and in some ways, unsurprising. After all, although the Edge browser only has a tiny share of the market on Android and iOS devices, Microsoft's current offering already utilizes the Chromium rendering engine on smartphones.

Our perspective

This then is a logical next step, but it has at least one profound implication. If the rumors prove to be true, then whatever browser Microsoft replaces Edge with will essentially be a Google product. This will give Google an overwhelming and probably unbreakable monopoly in the browser market.  An interesting turn of events indeed, and not a good one.


The author

Thanks for reading this short post. For more tips on thriving with small business technology, check out the other blog posts at DWPia Blogs. I am also available at dwpia on LinkedIn, at dwpia on Facebook, and @dwpia on Twitter.

Cybersecurity Expert, Small Business Technology Consultant, Managed Services Provider, Managed IT Support

Denis S Wilson

I am President and Principal Consultant for DWP Information Architects: specializing in managed IT support for smaller healthcare practices, clinics, insurance companies, law firms, and construction companies in Ventura County and San Fernando Valley. And have created cost-effective IT solutions, for over 20 years, specializing in cybersecurity and regulatory compliance.

I am also a published author and speaker, working extensively with organizations that include: the State of California, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE, Women's Business Centers, and Small Business Development Centers. As well as providing small business technology education programs through business and professional associations.

Contact me if you would like me to speak at your meeting.

Meanwhile, check out this report

Executive Report: 10 Hidden IT Risks That Might Threaten Your Business