Microsoft is developing a new browser and it’s not IE

The brunt of so many jokes, Internet Explorer may be soon kicking the bucket. As most already know, Windows 10 is just over the horizon. Microsoft is releasing the latest iteration of its operating system with the accompanying mobile operating system. There have been reports that the company is developing a new Internet browser—which will not be Internet Explorer 12.

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Codenamed “Spartan,” the new Internet browser will use the same Microsoft Chakra JavaScript engine. Despite this, the Internet browser will look and feel more like its competitors, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. It is supposed to be lightweight, simple, and fast as its competitors. Supposedly, it will improve on the torrential flaws and jokes that Internet Explorer has suffered over the years. There are no previews or trails available as of yet, only the promise that it would be better than Internet Explorer.

Just to be clear, Spartan is not the same as Internet Explorer. It is not the next iteration of the old Internet browser. Both browsers will be present in the new Windows 10, possibly for backwards compatibility.

More than being a new and improved browser, the departure from the Internet Explorer moniker means that Microsoft is shaking off being the brunt of all speed and performance jokes. In other words, more than being a technical feat, the new Spartan browser hopes to be the marketing savior for the rickety Internet browser.

Microsoft’s next set of official announcements comes on the 21^st of January. We may soon find out what Spartan looks and feels like. Meanwhile, let’s shrug shoulders and chug on with Chrome and Firefox. Spartan has a lot more to contend with now that smaller browsers are crawling out of the woodwork. These smaller browsers come with promises of better security, performance, media integration, and ad blocking. Let’s see if Spartan has what it takes to go against these contenders. Spartan’s edge is that it is automatically bundled with a big operating system. That shaves off a lot advertising efforts.

We have no idea if Spartan is a Microsoft exclusive or if Android and iOS users will also enjoy this new browser. We just have to wait and see. But for now, keep calm and use Internet Explorer to download Chrome.