Subj : Microsofts Project Phoenix could make Edge look better than ever To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Mon Jan 13 2025 15:30:05 Microsofts Project Phoenix could make Edge look better than ever in Windows 11 but Im not sure its enough to take the fight to Google Chrome Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2025 15:22:49 +0000 Description: Microsofts apparent grand plan to improve Edge could see the browser morphing to match your Windows 11 environment. FULL STORY ====================================================================== Microsoft has a grand plan to revamp Edge apparently, and one of the possible next steps in the evolution of the web browser has just been flagged up. As Windows Latest explains, the software giant has a project with the codename of Phoenix which has the aim of overhauling Edge, and making it look more modern, but not in one big update rather a series of drip-fed moves. And one of the incoming changes could be the ability for the browser to morph its color palette to match Windows 11s settings , the tech site theorizes. This is based on a couple of flags Windows Latest noticed in a test build of Edge from the Canary channel (the earliest preview builds). The flags are msEdgePhoenixColorPaletteGenerator and msUseSnappingPointsForPhoenixPaletteGeneration, so we have the clear reference to the Phoenix project here. What these flags likely refer to is the ability for Edge to run a piece of color palette generator code that could detect Windows 11s accent colors or theme, and change the browser to match that. In other words, Edge would dynamically switch to complement the Windows 11 environment in this respect. (Image credit: Shutterstock / monticello) Analysis: What happens in testing, sometimes stays in testing This is educated guesswork on Windows Latests part, but it makes sense to me. Bear in mind that not only is this early testing, but the functionality isnt even enabled in preview yet, and only present in these flags hidden away in the background. Its possible that nothing may come of this ultimately, but we can keep a watchful eye out for further clues. Mica is also apparently coming to the Edge title bar, which is an opaque effect that means the bar is slightly tinted by the desktop color behind it. While all this is commendable if it happens will it be enough to propel Edge forward in terms of browser share? Im looking for bigger moves than this, and expect you will be too, although it certainly wont hurt the chances of Microsofts browser. To be fair to the software giant, some nifty bits have been brought in as part of Project Phoenix in the past, such as Edges split-screen feature which lets you browse two websites simultaneously, side-by-side in the browser window. Now that is a smart touch. A further point to note here albeit more minor is another flag Windows Latest spotted recently in testing, namely msVisualRejuvTooltips which likely represents a revamp of Edge tooltips. While this has since been removed, its still something Microsoft could return to at some point down the line. Furthermore, Leopeva64, a source of a lot of Edge rumors and leaks on X, recently flagged up that the Auto Picture in Picture feature in Microsofts browser is being removed from testing (see the below post). Edge's "Auto PiP" feature still works in Beta and Stable (it no longer works in Dev and Canary), if you want to try it out before it stops working,here's the CLF to enable it: --enable-features=msEdgeAutoPictureInPicture,msEdgeAutoPictureInPictureTrigger https://t.co/dqiIlcXTq3 pic.twitter.com/UDu8LUPY7d January 12, 2025 All of which illustrates exactly why changes in testing need to be regarded carefully not all of them make it through to release by any means. Whatever happens, its clear Microsoft is hoping to improve Edge substantially with Project Phoenix, but Im hoping to see some bigger pieces of that puzzle come into view this year. You might also like Microsoft plans to debloat Edge browser and take a leaf out of Google Chromes book when it comes to Settings Microsoft Edge is better than Google Chrome, but I can't bring myself to switch How to use Microsoft Edge ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/edge/microsofts-project-phoenix-could-make -edge-look-better-than-ever-in-windows-11-but-im-not-sure-its-enough-to-take-t he-fight-to-google-chrome --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .