Another Chromium browser for Linux? Microsoft Edge arrives in preview form - but no love for Arm yet
- Reference: 1603285214
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/10/21/edge_linux/
- Source link:
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Edge on Linux had been lurking behind the bushes before its [3]announcement at September's Build event. Indeed, Microsoft insiders had whispered to us that it had been running for a while, but booting it out of the door was not a top priority for the team. A good few months later and here we are: a Dev Channel version of Edge can be had on Linux.
The release officially supports Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and openSUSE. Sadly, there is no love for Pi fans at present; the team are apparently " [4]looking at Arm ", but no release has been forthcoming. It took Microsoft a good while to craft an Arm-native version of Edge for its own flagship fondleslab, so anyone running kit of a Raspberry persuasion would be advised to avoid holding their breath.
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We took the release for a short run on Ubuntu 20.04, simply installing from the .deb file downloadable from the Edge Insider site. Other methods of installation are available, including command line instructions.
While performance comparisons would be unfair (this is not "stable" code), the browser performed admirably, although we'd be a bit nervous about using it as a daily driver. The version shows up as 88.0.673.0 and heck, even the Surf game worked.
Build and test...
As for the why, it seems an odd move at first glance. Linux is well served on the browser front, and we can't imagine many who are wedded to their Linux desktop will see the need for Microsoft's Chromium-fest. The Windows giant seems to agree, reiterating that its target is "developers who want to build and test their sites and apps on Linux."
Although the developer tooling (particularly the rendering) works well, other elements are... not so good. In particular, only local accounts are supported, so those hoping to use the syncing features that need a sign-in will be disappointed.
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Still, this remains very much work-in-progress code and Microsoft stated that the features would turn up in a "future preview." Life in the Dev Channel means that weekly updates should be forthcoming.
The release is unlikely to set any usage charts on fire, however, the browser's arrival on Linux demonstrates the new Microsoft's keenness to meet developers wherever they may lurk, be it Windows, macOS and now Linux. ®
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[1] https://blogs.windows.com/msedgedev/2020/10/20/microsoft-edge-dev-linux/
[2] https://regmedia.co.uk/2020/10/21/edgelinux2.jpg
[3] https://www.theregister.com/2020/09/22/microsoft_edge_for_linux_october/
[4] https://twitter.com/i/status/1318633092932915204
[5] https://regmedia.co.uk/2020/10/21/edgelinux1.jpg
[6] https://regmedia.co.uk/2020/10/21/edgelinux4.jpg
[7] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Not sure I'd trust it as a reliable test as there will likely be very few people using Edge on Linux. When I've tested my web applications I always tried to be as realistic as possible and test them on Edge, Firefox and Chrome on Windows. Then Firefox and Chrome on Android etc. There were always some niggling differences in rendering.
https://forum.winworldpc.com/uploads/editor/3c/3yku05dsro1i.png
The only thing that has really changed is... err, the background?
In particular, only local accounts are supported
please - just leave it at that: i don't want to be forced to login to the vendors system!
Hi
Welcome to Microsoft Edge
On Arch Linux. My eyes, my eyes
What is the advanage to Microsoft ?
What local information does it 'leak' back to Redmond ?
I suppose that it might be a good test: if they can get a browser working on Linux then they will have cleaned up many components needed to get other ported to Linux as well.
Running Debian on my home machine and while there are a lot of browsers for Linux most of them are not that good. Firefox is may daily driver on Linux most of the others I've tried are seriously lacking in one or another feature. If I want to run a low resource browser I will just run Lynx.
@HellDeskJockey
How about Vivaldi.
That's a puzzling joke in my opinion
[quote]The Windows giant seems to agree, reiterating that its target is "developers who want to build and test their sites and apps on Linux."[/quote]
Has anybody here seen an invasion of apps for Linux and the desperate need of testing them using a Microsoft browser, on Linux ? It doesn't hold water.
To me at least, either Microsoft is looking for new data to slurp (yeah, there aren't that many Linux desktop users but it's un untapped ressource that can still be exploited) or they're preparing terrain to offer a subpar version of Office 365 that will nudge you into moving to Windwos 10 in order to unlock the reach features you will come to need.
Allowing Linux Devs to test natively instead of firing up some Windows system might make it worthwhile.
Also, wider testing community.