After approximately one year of beta testing, Microsoft has released Chromium-based Edge browser for Windows 10, 7 and macOS. Chromium Edge, which runs on the same web engine as Chrome, comes with its own exclusive features and as well as the features available in Google’s browser.
The new browser from Microsoft has a new and sleek look, but it ditches Fluent Design in favour of rounded corners and a standard design.
When Microsoft announced its Chromium Edge project in late 2018, the company promised to keep the look and feel of the browser untouched. After developing several features, it looks like Fluent Design is now one of the priorities for Microsoft.
Microsoft quietly revealed that it’s looking into feedback from users on Fluent Design, rounded corners and animations. In the coming months, Microsoft plans to focus on these areas:
- Themes for Microsoft Edge’s main interface—tab management, address bar, and menu.
- Microsoft may reconsider the tabs and browser buttons that have been rounded too much.
- Fluent touch: Transparency and other material effects.
- Reveal effect: Adds Fluent Design’s Reveal focus that would animate the border of a tab or button.
- Smaller tab band and address bar/toolbar on desktops or devices lacking touch support.
- New animations.
“We have been working closely with our designers to get a look and feel that aligns with our Fluent Design language and meets our standards for usability and accessibility,” Microsoft’s Edge team said.
The implementation of Fluent Design in Chromium Edge is still in its early phases. The Chromium Edge’s Fluent Design is currently not even close to the classic Edge browser.
It’s also worth noting that Microsoft is still considering these feedbacks and Fluent Design changes may or not may arrive before the second half of 2020.
Microsoft recently revealed that new Edge will begin rolling out to everyone on Windows 10 later this year. A Linux version is also planned, but Microsoft hasn’t yet said anything publicly about the exact launch timeframe.