Microsoft has revealed more details on what Linux users can expect in the upcoming Edge for Linux release.
In case you missed the news flash: Microsoft Edge for Linux will be available to download starting next month as a ‘preview’ release.
Microsoft say this initial release will support all major Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Fedora, and openSUSE. Downloads will be available as .rpm and .deb packages (not Snap, as I had suggest) from the Edge Insiders web page — and not from any specific Linux store front or package manager.
Microsoft Edge product developer Missy Quarry says the team working on the port want to make ‘every feature in our Windows and Mac Dev channels […] available in our Linux version’ but that, to start with, there will be some omissions.
So which features which won’t be available or working properly in Microsoft Edge for Linux Preview? The browser’s built-in sync features (bookmarks, passwords, etc); read aloud (which reads webpage text aloud); and differential updates will all be MIA.
“We are working hard to bring these to users as quickly as possible, while also ensuring it’s done right,” Quarry adds.
The good news is that a tonne of Edge’s other features — yes, it does have some — like enhanced privacy protection, web collections, new tab page layouts, Bing integration, and a customisable ‘immersive reader’, will all be present out of the box, ready for you to toy with.
Possibly even GPU acceleration on Linux? We’ll have to wait until October to find out!
I’ve added all of the information you’ve just read to the original “Edge is coming” article from earlier in the week too, so if you want to share word of Edge’s imminent arrival the earlier article is the one to link to.
Big thanks Lord Tech