A new browser specifically made for the new Windows 10 is now on its way.
The report came from ZDNet which cited Microsoft student partner Thomas Nigro's December 18 tweet which said that the company is scheduled to launch a new browser, definitely not Internet Explorer, which will be set as the default browser for the new Windows 10. That tweet was followed by another minutes after, revealing that the much-awaited OS will arrive free for all users of Windows 7 and Windows 8. He said he heard the news during a December podcast from LiveTile.
ZD Net's Mary Jo Foley also said that the alleged "new, light-weight browser" will still use Microsoft's Chakra JavaScript engine and Microsoft's Trident rendering engine. She also cited Neowin's Brad Sams, who earlier said the new browser will somehow "look and feel more like" existing Chrome and Firefox.
ZDNet also suggested that although claims point to a new browser which may not be an Internet Explorer 12, both browsers -- Spartan and IE 11 -- will be available on Windows 10. Foley noted that the IE11's main role is just for "backward-compatibility's sake." Furthermore, the new Spartan browser is said to be available on both desktop and mobile versions of Windows 10.
To date, there is still no official name for the said browser as Spartan is only a codename. Foley said her unidentified sources still don't have any idea what it will be called. But she said it was earlier hinted that there are indeed plans to change Internet Explorer's name. Foley also suggested that there is a possibility that Microsoft my port the new browser to Android, iOS and other non-Windows operating system.
It is speculated that the browser will be unveiled on January 21 during the preview of some of the new features of Windows 10. It is also believed that the new virtual personal assistant Cortana will also be featured in the said event. Master Herald said Microsoft is aiming to push for the new Siri-rival app as the primary assistant on all devices running the new Windows 10. It added that many of its interesting features will also be introduced during the said event.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was quoted in the Master Herald report as saying that their strategy for the Windows 10 release "is primarily based around 'cloud first', 'mobile first' along with 'productivity and platforms'." Another company CEO Kevin Turner meanwhile was cited in the report revealing that Microsoft's initial plans regarding the new Windows 10 will be announced by early 2015.
In the meantime, watch Windows Vice President Joe Belfiore talk about some of the features included in the new Windows 10 in this video: