The official confirmation that Windows Phone is no longer a priority for Microsoft was interpreted by many users as a definitive end, but we can't deny that the wound remains open in some cases. So what is Redmond's real mobile strategy? In simple terms, offering its services on iOS and Android devices. The process has been underway for a long time, but now it adds a new element: the debut of the Edge browser.
If we analyze the statements of several Microsoft representatives (especially CEO Satya Nadella) about the company's situation in the mobile market, the conclusion is that Redmond wants to reconcile with the “present” of that market by moving its combination of software and services to the territories of iOS and Android, to position itself better in a future beyond the smartphone. Part of that future is reflected in the Surface line with its hybrid models, and in the HoloLens project for mixed reality. Now, if we return to the first box, the truth is that today we can enjoy dozens of Microsoft apps on Android. Word, Excel, OneDrive, Skype, Outlook... all those tools are already on the Google Play Store. What's next on the list? Nothing less than its flagship browser, Edge.
Edge for Android features
The software is in preview phase, to the point that it doesn't appear directly when searching for it in the store. One of the main features that will soon be available to users is “Continue on PC”. Its goal is to let users move content easily between mobile device and computer, extending sessions without interrupting productivity flow, but “Continue on PC” will only work on systems with Windows 10 Fall Creators Update installed (available from October 17). Voice search, QR code reader, “reading mode” on web pages, synchronization across all devices, and InPrivate mode close the package of Edge on Android.
Those who decide to download the preview should know that the minimum version of Android is 4.4, and stability issues are common. In fact, Microsoft wants pioneers to share their opinions through the feedback feature. And I say “pioneers” because if we consider the robustness of Chrome and Safari in their respective environments, Edge will start the race with a big disadvantage.
