Microsoft unveiled grand plans for its Edge browser which unfortunately does not include the native ad-blocking support as has been reported widely. While it’s true ad-blocking elements baked right into the browser makes for fewer distractions and hence, allow for a purer browsing experience, the same isn’t coming to the Edge anytime soon, confirmed Microsoft.
The “Microsoft Edge: What’s Next for Microsoft’s New Browser and Web Platform” session though revealed some exciting new features that the Redmond-based company said will be unveiled as part of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. Users will be able to download the extensions via the Microsoft Store once the feature makes its official debut.
Amongst these include the most sought after extensions support for the Edge similar to those that are already available with the Chrome browser. Among the other extensions that would soon be available with Edge include Pinterest, LastPass, Amazon Assistant, Evernote, and Page Analyzer powered by Vorlon.js.
Credits: Windows CentralMicrosoft added that Edge Extensions are already available to Windows 10 Insiders, and AdBlock Plus has confirmed to be one of it soon.
Demand for extensions that block ads is among the most sought after though Opera is the first to take the game to the next higher level by announcing native support for the same. Ex-Mozilla CTO Brendan Eich too said he has something similar to offer with his Brave browser.
Apple has already included Content Blocking extensions on the latest versions of its Safari browser on mobile devices. This was followed suit by Samsung introduced the native ad-blocking feature to its Android browser that comes pre-loaded with its Galaxy range of smartphones.
Blocking ads has always been a contentious topic as it leads to millions of dollars’ worth of losses to the ad agencies every year. Things though could take on a more precarious turn for them once native ad-blocking support starts to become a more mainstream feature among browsers. Google’s Chrome, which recently emerged to be the most secure browser, has been tacitly silent on the issue of blocking ads, which is understandable considering the majority of Google’s revenue are ad based.
Coming back to the Edge browser, the other features that Microsoft said will be introduced as part of its anniversary update include integrated Bing translator along with a dedicated menu accompanying the Back button that will contain the list of pages visited previously.
The Windows 10 Anniversary Update is slated to arrive this summer, probably around June or July and is also referred as the Redstone 1 release.
