14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 10 is very likely to ship with a new version of Internet Explorer, intuitively called Internet Explorer 12, but it appears that Microsoft is also preparing a little bit of something for those who want to get Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox-like performance on their desktops.
According to reports, Microsoft might actually introduce two different browsers in Windows 10, so in addition to Internet Explorer 12, PCs running this new version of the operating system could also get what's currently known as Spartan.
This isn't the first time that we're hearing about Spartan and it's worth knowing that at this point it's still a codename, but it appears that Microsoft is going forward with its plans to develop a new browser and this could see daylight in Windows 10 in fall 2015.
Spartan browser details
Microsoft's plan is as simple as it could be: the company hopes that, by offering two different browsers, users would also be provided with a new application that can easily compete with Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox and, at the same time, have Internet Explorer in case of compatibility issues with company apps or services.
Spartan, on the other hand, will still be based on Microsoft's Chakra JavaScript engine and Microsoft's Trident rendering engine, so similar performance to that in Internet Explorer is likely to be offered.
But what's entirely new is the functionality of the browser. Microsoft wants to make Spartan a more powerful rival for Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, so the new app could come with support for themes, extensions, and other add-ons. Internet Explorer already supports plug-ins, but Microsoft's browser is years behind what Chrome and Firefox can offer right now.
It appears that Spartan will be available on both desktops and tablets, so a touch-based version of the browser could also be offered, but this thing is not yet decided. On the other hand, Spartan is supposed to be a lightweight browser available for all Windows users, no matter the platform, so the question is simple. Could Spartan arrive on Windows Phone as well?
First preview version
Naturally, most users are wondering when Microsoft plans to show us Spartan, but as far as the company is concerned, that's not going to happen anytime soon. Instead, it appears that Redmond only wants to unveil Spartan at a later time, possibly in a more advanced technical preview build of Windows 10, so do not expect to see the app integrated in the JTP version prepared for January.
Spartan and Internet Explorer 12 are both expected to be part of Windows 10, which, according to sources, should ship in late summer or early fall 2015. Preview builds, however, could also be included in the consumer preview build likely to be released in spring 2015.
