Support us on Patreon to keep GamingOnLinux alive. This ensures all of our main content remains free for everyone. Just good, fresh content! Alternatively, you can donate through PayPal. You can also buy games using our partner links for GOG and Humble Store.
We do often include affiliate links to earn us some pennies. See more here.

Not Linux gaming related, sure but still very interesting news. During their Ignite conference, Microsoft confirmed their new Chromium-based Edge browser will release for Linux.

The new Edge will release in full on January 15 next year, although it's not currently known when the Linux version will land. It's not just going to be using Chromium behind the scenes though, Microsoft are actively contributing to the open source code. This was talked about during their recent "State of the browser: Microsoft Edge" presentation.


Image Source: Microsoft.

During the presentation when the slide above was on-screen, Microsoft's Colleen Williams simply said "[…] and Linux is coming at a later time." towards the end of the slide. Hilariously, if you turn your volume up you can hear a single "woo!" from someone in the crowd. You can watch the event yourself here. Linux is mentioned at 08:34.

Microsoft also confirmed during the presentation that the new Edge will be compatible with Chrome extensions, with most being able to work without any change. It will also include a web-based cross-platform store, so it won't be tied to Windows.

I think it's good that Microsoft is moving towards open source software, rather than sticking to their own proprietary projects. Enabling users to have their favourite applications on Linux breaks down another barrier to entry, which is a really important point. I know, I know, Edge is not exactly one of those big favourite applications (yet). My wider point here is that change can be difficult for anyone, even a small change, so if you can keep a few things the same it makes it easier. We all know someone, or we've seen it mentioned somewhere about x application not being available on Linux.

Options are good. Microsoft being more open is great. Hopefully this keeps up, could you imagine if they fully opened up something like DirectX/Direct3D in future and made it cross-platform or they slowly dropped it in favour of an open standard like they're doing here with Edge? Certainly would be interesting.

What do you think? Will you try it? Unleash your mind in the comments.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Apps, Misc
18 Likes
About the author -
author picture
I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
See more from me
The comments on this article are closed.
68 comments
Page: «7/7
  Go to:

Tiedemann Nov 7, 2019
Just another browser that'll show up as "Google compatible" to confirm the marketshare on the net. It's just sad. I guess it's good for ppl that want to have the same applications when switching from Windows or something.
Philadelphus Nov 8, 2019
As I already use Chrome (and Chromium) I'm not going to be switching, but…interesting? I guess? Maybe it'll help people switching from Windows?
nate Nov 9, 2019
I already use four browsers (Chromium, Firefox, Opera, and Chrome). I really do not need a fifth. Sorry, M$. =P
slaapliedje Nov 9, 2019
Quoting: nateI already use four browsers (Chromium, Firefox, Opera, and Chrome). I really do not need a fifth. Sorry, M$. =P
Opera was my go to webkit browser until they were bought by some Chinese company. At which point who knows what's included in the binary :P

I tend to only use Firefox or Epiphany, with the random Chromium when some sites haven't updated their ciphers, which Firefox frowns upon and no longer work with. I'm forced to at the moment due to some necessary appliance crap. Please everyone, update your stuff to work with modern ciphers. Thank you.
Purple Library Guy Nov 9, 2019
Quoting: slaapliedje
Quoting: nateI already use four browsers (Chromium, Firefox, Opera, and Chrome). I really do not need a fifth. Sorry, M$. =P
Opera was my go to webkit browser until they were bought by some Chinese company. At which point who knows what's included in the binary :P

I tend to only use Firefox or Epiphany, with the random Chromium when some sites haven't updated their ciphers, which Firefox frowns upon and no longer work with. I'm forced to at the moment due to some necessary appliance crap. Please everyone, update your stuff to work with modern ciphers. Thank you.
Second time I've seen someone talking about ciphers. What's a cipher? (well, in this context; I know the base meaning of the word)
Eike Nov 9, 2019
View PC info
  • Supporter Plus
Quoting: Purple Library GuySecond time I've seen someone talking about ciphers. What's a cipher? (well, in this context; I know the base meaning of the word)

The algorithms they're using for encryption, signing, hashing.
slaapliedje Nov 10, 2019
Quoting: Purple Library Guy
Quoting: slaapliedje
Quoting: nateI already use four browsers (Chromium, Firefox, Opera, and Chrome). I really do not need a fifth. Sorry, M$. =P
Opera was my go to webkit browser until they were bought by some Chinese company. At which point who knows what's included in the binary :P

I tend to only use Firefox or Epiphany, with the random Chromium when some sites haven't updated their ciphers, which Firefox frowns upon and no longer work with. I'm forced to at the moment due to some necessary appliance crap. Please everyone, update your stuff to work with modern ciphers. Thank you.
Second time I've seen someone talking about ciphers. What's a cipher? (well, in this context; I know the base meaning of the word)
As Eike stated. When you set up your webserver with SSL, you can choose which level of SSL (at this point everyone should probably be using TLS 1.3, and on the other level of it, eliminate RC4 ciphers. TLS1.3 should be faster and more secure than previous versions. But I bet a large portion of the internet is still using TLS1.0. Hopefully no one is using SSLv2/3 anymore...
rea987 May 16, 2020
Quoting: stud68Maybe get Netflix in 4k with this.
I hate having to switch over to the TV to watch 4k.

To my best knowledge, Edge support 4k Netflix only on Windows, not even on Mac. Hence, I doubt if Edge on Linux will support 4k Netflix.
While you're here, please consider supporting GamingOnLinux on:

Reward Tiers: Patreon. Plain Donations: PayPal.

This ensures all of our main content remains totally free for everyone! Patreon supporters can also remove all adverts and sponsors! Supporting us helps bring good, fresh content. Without your continued support, we simply could not continue!

You can find even more ways to support us on this dedicated page any time. If you already are, thank you!
The comments on this article are closed.