Microsoft Windows 10 Spartan Browser Details Emerge

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New details have been revealed for Microsoft’s Windows 10 browser, codenamed Spartan.

Sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans for its next operating system have told The Verge Spartan will include “features not found in rival browsers.”

 

For instance, Spartan will support inking -- the ability for users to make notes on web pages with a stylus and share them with other users. The inking service will be powered by Microsoft’s OneDrive cloud storage, allowing users the ability to access, edit and share the web pages through any browser across multiple platforms.

 

 

The new browser will also come with Cortana digital assistant integration. Cortana allows users to seek out information on hotel bookings, flight status, and tracking for packages through the browser’s address bar. Cortana is expected to replace Bing functionality integrated in Internet Explorer.

 

Custom themes were originally expected to be included with Spartan. It appears that will not be the case at launch. However, it is possible custom themes may come in future updates. The Verge also reports images of the new browser were allegedly leaked by Chinese tech site Cnbeta, revealing a minimalist interface.

 

Spartan’s browser tab functionality will be streamlined in an effort to clean up multiple browser tabs. Users will be able to group tabs to their preferences, such as personal and work tabs.

 

Spartan is a single browser app intended to work across PCs, tablets and phones. It will also look and feel similar across all devices. It will be available on Microsoft’s Windows Store as a way for the company to simplify the update process for the browser. The desktop version of the app will be offered separately from mobile versions.

 

 

Windows 10 will ship with Spartan, but Internet Explorer users won’t be abandoned. Microsoft is expected to include Internet Explorer in Windows 10 for compatibility. It has not been confirmed if Spartan will remain the browser’s name, as Microsoft typically employs codenames for its products in development.

 

IGN will attend Microsoft's Windows 10 press event on January 21, which will include a presentation from Xbox Boss Phil Spencer. The event will serve as a showcase to the general consumer for Windows 10, which Microsoft revealed last year.

 

Windows 10 is expected to release sometime in 2015.