Microsoft Edge

So, Microsoft Edge is a pretty well-known browser for Windows users since it's the default option there. But if you're a Mac user, you might not have given it a shot yet! It hasn't always been super popular for various reasons. But guess what? Microsoft switched to Chromium and its Blink engine, which means Edge is now available on macOS too!

Why the Switch to Chromium?

Before this change, Edge used Microsoft's own engine called EdgeHTML. That created some challenges for developers and users alike. Now that they’ve made the switch to Chromium, it opens up so many new possibilities like cross-platform support.

The Browser Wars

When Edge first came out, Chrome was already ruling the roost. Firefox was also doing well but had been around longer and was the go-to open-source browser. With most of the web being built around Chromium-based browsers like Chrome and Safari, it was tough for any new engines to find their footing.

Keeping Up with Standards

This change means that updates will always be available with the latest Chromium releases. The old version had trouble keeping pace with web standards, but now that's a thing of the past!

User Interface Changes

Microsoft has tried not to mess too much with Edge's look after moving to Chromium because folks weren't really upset about its UI; they just wanted better compatibility and more features. The tab design looks a lot like Chrome’s but with less rounded corners—a nod to its previous style.

Customization Options

You can't customize Edge as much as you'd probably like right now. You can hide things like the home button or favorites bar and even change fonts, but that’s about it for now.

The Dark Mode Upgrade

The dark mode feature has finally arrived! Initially only accessible through edge://flags, you can now easily choose your theme in settings or sync it with your system theme.

The Joy of Extensions

A huge plus of moving to Chromium is that you can use extensions from the Chrome Web Store in Edge! There are way more add-ons available for these types of browsers than others, making Edge a stronger choice overall.

If You Prefer Other Browsers...

If you're more into Safari or Firefox, you might not be super excited about Edge. But if you're using Chrome or another Chromium-based browser, then give Microsoft’s version a try! Just keep in mind that privacy-focused users might want to think twice.

A New Experience on macOS

If nothing else, trying out Edge on macOS could be fun! It marks a big shift for Microsoft, and early signs show that it's performing quite well—even if it's still got some room to grow.