Microsoft Edge (formerly Project Spartan) is the name of Microsoft's next-generation web browser built into Windows 10. The browser both in name and its core rendering engine are set to replace the ageing Internet Explorer, although parts of IE11 remains for legacy websites. Project Spartan was first reported on back in September 2014. However, it was not until early January 2015 that the exact nature of the program was understood.
Microsoft officially announced the project on January 21, 2015 during their Windows 10: The Next Chapter event in Redmond, Washington. Project Spartan's main features as a web browser so far include:
The web browser will be available on Windows, Windows Phone, and possibly even the Xbox One since it is a universal app. Since Spartan can be updated through the Store as an app update, Microsoft can quickly change or improve the browser without having to link it to a deeper OS upgrade.
Initial performance tests suggest a significant improvement in web page rendering. Later in 2015, Edge should receive an upgrade to run Google Chrome browser extensions, which can be ported over to the new browser.