Recently released by Microsoft, the latest version of their Edge browser has caused some controversy with the announcement of the removal of some features, stirring up both praise and criticism.
The biggest change in Edge’s latest version is the removal of legacy technologies that support Adobe Flash and some legacy document formats, such as Silverlight and Acroform. Flash was the technology that enabled the creation of websites that had interactive components, giving developers and designers the ability to create dynamic experiences for their users. With the removal of Flash, it is expected that more websites will be making the switch over to HTML5 going forward. The removal of these legacy document formats, such as Acroform, is expected to provide a streamlined experience for users when viewing documents.
In addition to removing features, Edge is adding some new features, such as a tracking prevention tool. The tracking prevention tool will block websites that attempt to collect information on your browsing history and block any ads that attempt to track users across multiple websites. This new tool is expected to help protect users’ privacy while browsing the web.
While some users are praising the move to remove legacy technologies and increase user privacy, others are criticizing the move to remove features as a way for Microsoft to further promote their proprietary software. This has caused some to speculate that Microsoft is attempting to gain more control over the web, by using their dominant position in the industry to create a closed web platform.
Overall, while Microsoft Edge is making some changes to the browser, it is important to understand the implications and benefits of these changes before jumping to any conclusions. Whether the removal of legacy technologies and removal of features is a good or bad thing for users can only be determined by seeing the effects of the changes in the long term. In the meantime, those who use Edge should keep an eye on the new features added and keep an open mind when it comes to updates and changes.