Microsoft Edge on iOS is official and available for testing now, Android version coming soon

And while it basically proves we're living in an alternate, doomed timeline, the new(ish) browser looks like it has a cool idea or two baked inside. First and foremost is the "Continue on PC" option, which also debuted earlier today on the Microsoft Launcher, previously known as Arrow Launcher. In essence, it allows to send the current page to your desktop and, well, continue there. In fact, Microsoft has deemed the feature so important that it gets its own dedicated button next to the back, forward, and refresh ones.

Features that have crossed over from Edge on Windows include Reading View (which is pretty much your standard no distractions mode) and Hub View, which is a collection of all your bookmarks, your reading list, your history, and your downloads.

Of course, it wouldn't be a good port without the ability to sync your data between devices, so Microsoft naturally allows its users to do so. Right now, the feature is limited to favorites and reading list, but passwords and Microsoft Store purchases are said to be coming at a later date as well.

People interested in trying out need to go through a few hoops: the preview is currently only available for Windows Insiders (which is what Microsoft calls its volunteer beta tester community), and also only to those ones currently residing in the United States. And lastly, in order to install the app on you iOS device, you'll need to link your phone to your PC via a somewhat convoluted process involving your Microsoft account, your phone number, and at least one app install.

It's worth noting, however, that this isn't the vanilla Edge experience: the iOS version of the app will make use of Apple's WebKit rendering engine, while the Android version will use Chromium instead. Or in other words, the mobile Edge apps are mostly a skin overlaid on top of each platform's respective default browser, meaning you shouldn't expect any browsing speed increases, for example.

But what Microsoft seems to be betting on is a different browsing experience than the default one, and also one that is tightly connected with the rest of the Microsoft ecosystem — in fact, this reveal and the rebranding of the Arrow Launcher share an announcement, which once again displays the company's changing attitude towards its competitors' platforms (not that Windows 10 Mobile is competitive anymore).

source: Microsoft via Windows Central