14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is expected to release an early build of its Chromium-based browser in the next few months, and while work on the app continues, an accidental leak provides us with more information regarding the current progress of the development task.
Chris Heilmann, Program Manager for Open Web and Browsers at Microsoft, tweeted a screenshot that includes, among others, the icon of the new browser pinned to the taskbar.
As you can see in the image below, and which is cropped from the screenshot posted by Heilmann, the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser comes with a yellow icon instead of blue but retains the same design as the original version.
The icon also sports a “CAN” label on it, which is an indication that the browser is still in the Canary development stage – the term Canary is also used by Google for early versions of the Chrome browser, and serves as a testing platform for new features in the experimental stage.
Preview likely coming at Build
Two separate screenshots also seem to reveal what’s like the installation screen of the new Edge browser. The #LetsBuildTogether could be an indication that Microsoft wants to roll out the first version of the Chromium-based Edge at the Build developer event this spring.
For the time being, however, there’s no confirmed ETA as to when this could happen. Previously, Microsoft says it would release a preview version of the new Microsoft Edge in early 2019, but no further specifics were provided.
The updated Microsoft Edge will retain the look and features of the existing version, but Microsoft says that by migrating to Chromium, it can contribute to this project and thus improve the browsing experience not only for its users, but for everyone online.
The company hasn’t shared any information regarding the target release date of the final version of the new Microsoft Edge browser.
