Microsoft has now released the first preview of its Edge browser for macOS, marking the first time Edge has appeared anywhere other than Windows 10.
The release comes more than a month after the company release a preview of its Chromium-based Edge browser for Windows 10. The macOS Canary build comes with the same features found in the Windows 10 preview, but Microsoft says it's got some subtle changes and optimizations to "make it feel at home on a Mac" and that it's tailoring the overall look and feel to match what users expect from apps on the macOS platform.
Microsoft Edge For macOS
This version of Edge comes with modifications to fonts, menus, and keyboard shortcuts to accommodate the peculiarities of the macOS experience and also to make it more familiar to Mac users.
It's also got controls such as website shortcuts and tab switching that works via the Touch Bar on more modern MacBook Pro models and also the trackpad. Microsoft says it'll keep on perfecting the browser as Edge evolves through future releases. This version of Edge comes with rounded corners for tabs, most notably, which isn't on the Windows version. But Microsoft says it's planning to introduce these UI polishes to Windows later on.
Microsoft has also announced new privacy controls for Edge and a new Collections feature to make, well, collecting images, text, and general notes from the web much easier and more efficient. These features aren't available in the Mac or Windows 10 builds just yet, but Microsoft says they'll be available for testing in the coming weeks.
The company is encouraging those who'll try the preview to leave Feedback as well.
Chromium-Based Edge Browser
As expected, Chromium-based Edge borrows liberally from the Google Chrome experience, given the latter is of course built on the same Chromium open-source base. Microsoft built this version to better align Edge with current browser standards, which translates to a better overall experience for the average users. More than that, Microsoft also hopes to win over developers with this build, most of which have largely abandoned Edge in favor of either Chrome or other Chromium-based browsers.
The macOS build is now live on Microsoft's website. Fret not, Windows 7 and Windows 8 users — Microsoft says a preview is coming soon, though it failed to specify an exact date.
Have you tried the Edge Chromium on your Mac? How's the experience been so far? As always, if you have anything to share, feel free to sound them off in the comments section below!
