Microsoft is hellbent on getting you to use Edge if latest tactic is anything to go by

Date:
Thu, 23 Feb 2023 11:29:22 +0000

Description:
Microsoft is now trying doubly hard to persuade you to use Edge, not Chrome, it seems.

FULL STORY ======================================================================

Microsoft is up to its old tricks of promoting Edge in an overly pushy
manner, according to a new report.

Neowin relays a tale of being nagged to use the Microsoft browser with a small pop-up followed by a rather jarring full-size banner when attempting to download rival browser Chrome.

We should note from the off that this happened in Edge testing versions, and Neowin updated its article to say that only the Beta version (not Canary or Dev) is now doing this when trying to install Chrome.

What happens exactly when you try to grab Googles browser in this case? First off, when you visit the Chrome site, a mini pop-up is displayed as mentioned, and we just tried in the release version of Edge to confirm that this happens there, too.

Thats a relatively unobtrusive nag compared to the second full-size banner at the top of the browser window, the latter being the one that only appears in testing (just Beta now, as noted). This makes its presence felt when the Chrome download starts.

Both panels tell you that Edge uses the same technology as Chrome (namely Chromium), but with the added trust of Microsoft, with a button urging you to Browse securely now and use Edge rather than downloading and switching over
to Chrome. Analysis: Theres no place like Edge

As Neowin points out, this may have been testing conducted on a limited set
of Edge users, and it looks like that trialing has been cut back now (albeit still present in beta for the time being).

Nonetheless, its a worrying move by Microsoft to double up on the nagging
with a larger second banner; as if being given the message once wasnt quite enough, thanks.

While Google also prompts people to use its Chrome browser on occasion, it does so from its own territory (the search engine site itself) and certainly doesnt try to muscle in when detecting that youre visiting a rival browsers web page to potentially download that client and defect, as it were.

Microsoft seems to be on another big push to fire up Edge adoption, as recently weve also witnessed shenanigans on the mobile front. Those using the Outlook app on iOS have seen pop-ups trying to get them to open up links and attachments in Edge rather than Safari (or whatever other browser the iOS
user may have chosen).

By now, were doubtless all getting weary at these kinds of attempts which have been seen before , we might add to drive up Edge market share, and we really wish Microsoft would lay off the nag stick, and try a more carrot-oriented approach.

For instance, Edge is getting its own free (albeit limited) VPN service which is rolling out in release as we type, and this is where Microsoft should be hoping to gain share by continually making the browser better, whether thats through new features, or better performance (or indeed both). Do enough of that, and eventually, the users will come as word of mouth spreads.

Do too much of what looks like underhand badgering even if its in testing and that wont drive adoption, itll only drive folks away. Via TechSpot



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/microsoft-is-hellbent-on-getting-you-to-use-edg e-if-latest-tactic-is-anything-to-go-by


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)