Microsoft Edge browser for Android and iOS has a new name as users have noticed that the company has renamed its mobile browser to 'Edge: AI Browser', clearly highlighting the company's current focus.
In addition to the new name, the browser listings in the Apple and Google stores are also touting new AI features such as the DALL-E 3 AI image generator, Copilot article summary, image recognition, etc.
The description also highlights support for the GPT-4 large language model and calls Edge “your AI browser.”
“Microsoft Edge is your AI-powered browser with a built-in Copilot AI assistant to improve your browsing experience,” the description says. “With Copilot Assistant, based on GPT-4, you can ask questions, refine searches, get a complete summary, and build the picture with DALL-E 3. Microsoft Edge is a smart way to browse, search, and buy.
The new name seems to have received mixed reactions from customers. Some say Microsoft doesn't have the authority to rename the browser, while others support the new name due to the additional benefits you get by pressing the Copilot AI Assistant button in the browser's toolbar.
Microsoft is betting big on AI in 2023, and a partnership with OpenAI makes Copilot's AI assistant possible. So it's no surprise that the company is ready to integrate Copilot and promote it everywhere.
By 2024, Microsoft plans to expand AI adoption through the next version of Windows and new Surface devices, which are expected to focus on AI-driven experiences.
According to the latest data from web traffic analysis platform Statcounter, the Microsoft Edge mobile browser has a market share of just 0.24%.
Time will tell if the name change will improve the numbers and help more users of Chrome, Safari and other mobile browsers switch to Microsoft's browser.