Internet Explorer – Remember when Microsoft tried to bring it back in the summer of 2012? I remember the commercials- The exciting, fast moving images set to the background of “Too Close” by electronic music artist Alex Clare. The commercial actually made the browser look capable- I downloaded it, and even gave it a second chance.
Of course, nothing changed, and I came to realize that what I had downloaded was merely the same old Internet Explorer. Let’s chalk this up to the power of a good marketing campaign. If anything, all the campaign did was further extend my love for Google’s Chrome browser. Complete flop, Microsoft.
Today, Microsoft announced that it would be incorporating a new browser to come prepackaged within its new Windows 10 Operating System. Enter Spartan- What many simply see as “Internet Explorer 12”, Microsoft sees instead a new chance to get back into the browser game. Name originating from Microsoft’s wildly successful “Halo” Franchise (just as the name of their “Siri” counterpart, “Cortana”), Microsoft says it’s front runner will be comparable to Chrome and Firefox, and will most likely be available Mid 2015. Click HERE for a picture of the browser’s namesake.
So what exactly is Spartan? While some believe it is merely just a name change to remove away the old negative stigma associated with the name “Internet Explorer”, others believe that it really could bare some significant tech improvements. Some believe that Microsoft will finally allow for browser “add-ons”, which have proven quite successful with Chrome and Firefox, while others believe that it’s main focus will be security – something that the old Internet Explorer program significantly lacked. One thing is for sure, however, and that is that we simply will not know until Microsoft’s Windows 10 conference coming later this month! The conference is set for January 21st, so we should have more details within the coming weeks.
