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This is Sparta? No - it's Microsoft Edge, Son of Internet Explorer

Redmond's new standards-compliant browser gets a real name at last

Build 2015 Microsoft has announced the official name for its new, modern web browser for Windows 10, hitherto known as Project Spartan: Microsoft Edge.

Microsoft operating systems veep Joe Belfiore announced the new branding during his keynote presentation at Redmond's Build developer conference in San Francisco on Wednesday.

"The 'E' icon has a completely different and better meaning than it has for a while," Belfiore quipped, as he clicked on the application icon that will no longer stand for Internet Explorer in Microsoft's new OS.

Belfiore said that because Microsoft is building Edge as a Windows Universal App, it will be available on the broadest possible range of Windows 10 devices, including PCs, tablets, and phones.

Throughout Wednesday morning's keynotes, speakers bragged that when Windows 10 launches, it will be available on one billion devices – more than twice as many as Android or iOS, they said.

As for what's so "edgy" about the new browser – which is expected to do away with decades of IE's quirks and spotty support for modern web standards – Belfiore said the name is meant to evoke connotations for users and developers alike.

"It refers to the idea of being on the edge of consuming and creating," he said, "and to the developer notion of being close to the modern capabilities of the web."

During his presentation, however, Belfiore repeatedly made reference to how Edge is "the browser for Windows 10" and that it will be available on "Windows 10 devices." If you were hoping to get a version of it for your Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 machine, we reckon you shouldn't hold your breath. ®

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