The Microsoft Phoenix Project Could Significantly Improve Edge on Windows 11, Although I'm Not Convinced It Will Be Enough to Compete with Google Chrome.
The Phoenix update could give Edge the ability to adapt similarly to a chameleon, allowing it to align with the aesthetics of Windows 11.
Microsoft is working on an ambitious plan to revitalize its Edge browser, codenamed ‘Phoenix’. This project aims to modernize the appearance of Edge through a series of gradual changes rather than a massive update.
One of the potential changes being considered is Edge's ability to adjust its color palette based on the settings of Windows 11. This has been indicated by some signs observed in a test version of Edge from the Canary channel, which are 'msEdgePhoenixColorPaletteGenerator' and 'msUseSnappingPointsForPhoenixPaletteGeneration'. These indicators suggest that the browser could have a "color palette generator" code that detects accent colors or the theme of Windows 11, allowing Edge to visually adapt to the environment of this operating system.
While this is a well-founded speculation, it is essential to remember that this is still in the early testing phase and that this functionality has not yet been activated in the preview version, existing only in these hidden indicators. There is no guarantee that these changes will be implemented, although it will be interesting to see if more clues emerge regarding this.
Additionally, it has been reported that the Mica effect could make its way to the Edge title bar, providing a slight tint based on the color of the desktop. Despite these advancements, the question remains: will these changes be enough to increase Edge's market share? Users are expected to desire more significant changes.
It is important to recognize that Microsoft has introduced useful features under Project Phoenix, such as the split-screen function, which allows users to browse two websites simultaneously in the browser window.
Another point to note is that a recent indicator called 'msVisualRejuvTooltips' has been detected, which seemed to represent an update to Edge's tooltips; however, this feature has been removed. Nevertheless, Microsoft may revisit this idea later.
On the other hand, the "Auto Picture in Picture" feature has also been removed from testing, although it is still available in the Beta and Stable versions of the browser. This illustrates that not all changes in the testing phase make it to a final release.
Regardless of how the testing unfolds, it is evident that Microsoft intends to significantly enhance Edge with Project Phoenix. More aspects of this evolution are expected to be revealed this year.
