First real image of Microsoft Spartan browser revealed

groze said:

I am a little . Is Microsoft making a separate browser or is Spartan going to be integrated into the operating system? For example, if a application use I.E. controls, will the application be using Spartan controls instead? I know a lot of 3rd party software depends on Internet Explorer being installed. Including virus protection programs.

well according to Mary Jo Foley and Paul Thurrott on windows weekly IE still going to be there too

I hope they improve the add on support in the new browser, IE's method leaves a lot to be desired.

More information on Spartan by Mary Jo posted today.

Microsoft's 'Spartan' browser: More details leak | ZDNet

Jim

Hi there

There's nothing wrong with IE that a miracle couldn't cure - however so long as it isn't riddled with zillions of plugins and takes ages to set up and configure properly (like Firefox has become) then the Spartan Browser might be OK.

Quite frankly for streaming services I'd rather have a SEPARATE dedicated app to do that -- for example if I want to watch Netflix or SKY GO for example why should I have to use a BROWSER. I can use things like PLEX to remotely stream video to a smart TV without having to use browsers. If the Browser needs to play video then it could call the dedicated app. Would make the browser a lot more secure too whatever the web site's vulnerabilities.

Note - if you start incorporating extras into browsers like say "Cortana" then it hardly merits the name Spartan any more does it.

Cheers
jimbo

BunnyJ said:

Some of us don't have smart TV's and have to use an APP or browser to watch Netfilx, I happen to be one for example.

Jeff

Hi there

The browser should still say be able to load an application and present it to the video device rather than run it from WITHIN the browser. As far as the external user is concerned it would look exactly like the browser was running the way it works currently -- but it would be a lot more secure and only the application would need updating not the browser. It would also get rid of those zillions of plugins and addons.

I don't know too much about programming but to my Engineers way of thinking it would be a lot easier to call a separate module than have the whole lot kludged up as a total piece of spaghetti which could be (and are) riddled with security loopholes. Just think of the number of security patches that have been made to browsers running malicious code loaded by some dubious website.

Cheers
jimbo