Microsoft Edge (chromium)
Discussion
I typically switch between Chrome and Firefox and between them they've covered all bases. I used to add all manner of extensions but these days just use a couple that I rely on; Onenote clipper and BitWarden.
I was a bit non-plussed by the new Edge, but at least it was better than the old Edge - which was rubbish.
Just been made aware of a killer feature for me though; 'Install this site as an app'. It's brilliant.
Perhaps FF or Chrome has an extension, or maybe the feature exists and I've missed it - but it's made my day.
Just having Microsoft 365 Admin centre and our Telecoms portal as an 'app' is so convenient. Bookmarks and shortcuts are okay, but this is so much more elegant.
I'm easily pleased.
I was a bit non-plussed by the new Edge, but at least it was better than the old Edge - which was rubbish.
Just been made aware of a killer feature for me though; 'Install this site as an app'. It's brilliant.
Perhaps FF or Chrome has an extension, or maybe the feature exists and I've missed it - but it's made my day.
Just having Microsoft 365 Admin centre and our Telecoms portal as an 'app' is so convenient. Bookmarks and shortcuts are okay, but this is so much more elegant.
I'm easily pleased.
LordGrover said:
Just been made aware of a killer feature for me though; 'Install this site as an app'. It's brilliant.
Just having Microsoft 365 Admin centre and our Telecoms portal as an 'app' is so convenient. Bookmarks and shortcuts are okay, but this is so much more elegant.
Perhaps I am being really lazy, but what does this mean? Just having Microsoft 365 Admin centre and our Telecoms portal as an 'app' is so convenient. Bookmarks and shortcuts are okay, but this is so much more elegant.
Instead of clicking on a bookmark, you click on a . . . . desktop shortcut(?) . . . and then you see exactly the same thing in a browser window?
David_M said:
Perhaps I am being really lazy, but what does this mean?
Instead of clicking on a bookmark, you click on a . . . . desktop shortcut(?) . . . and then you see exactly the same thing in a browser window?
It's usually based on a technology known as a 'Progressive Web App' - it seems to be more popular with mobile browsers than desktop, so it's interesting to see it in Edge. It's also interesting that Google don't seem to be pushing this technology within their browsers since they're a big player in the PWA scene. I think Edge will let you do this with any website, rather than being limited to PWAs, but I'm not sure how that'd work if it wasn't intended for offline viewing.Instead of clicking on a bookmark, you click on a . . . . desktop shortcut(?) . . . and then you see exactly the same thing in a browser window?
Basically the web browser offers functionality to load and cache an entire website so it's accessible offline, it'll also allow developers to cache data too. The Twitter web app is a good example of this, you can install the website on your phone rather than downloading the app from the App Store or Google Play.
ecs said:
It's usually based on a technology known as a 'Progressive Web App' - it seems to be more popular with mobile browsers than desktop, so it's interesting to see it in Edge. It's also interesting that Google don't seem to be pushing this technology within their browsers since they're a big player in the PWA scene. I think Edge will let you do this with any website, rather than being limited to PWAs, but I'm not sure how that'd work if it wasn't intended for offline viewing.
Basically the web browser offers functionality to load and cache an entire website so it's accessible offline, it'll also allow developers to cache data too. The Twitter web app is a good example of this, you can install the website on your phone rather than downloading the app from the App Store or Google Play.
Excellent answer - thanks v much.Basically the web browser offers functionality to load and cache an entire website so it's accessible offline, it'll also allow developers to cache data too. The Twitter web app is a good example of this, you can install the website on your phone rather than downloading the app from the App Store or Google Play.
The "functionality to load and cache an entire website so it's accessible offline" is the bit that I didn't realise and would make a difference.
It's actually a feature from Chromium/Chrome which has found it's way into Edge (Chromium). It's been around for 18-24 months or so.
In Chrome if a site offers a PWA a circle with a + sign in it will be displayed to the right of the omnibar (address bar). Clicking on that button will install the PWA on your system.
If you wanted to use a website or service in it's own app window or launch it independently of the browser then by clicking the 3-dot menu>>>More Tools>>>Create Shortcut it'll achieve similar for that site, albeit without the bells and whistles and extra features which PWA's can offer.
In Chrome if a site offers a PWA a circle with a + sign in it will be displayed to the right of the omnibar (address bar). Clicking on that button will install the PWA on your system.
If you wanted to use a website or service in it's own app window or launch it independently of the browser then by clicking the 3-dot menu>>>More Tools>>>Create Shortcut it'll achieve similar for that site, albeit without the bells and whistles and extra features which PWA's can offer.
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