Spartan. It’s a word that still carries a fair amount of weight despite the fact that the warriors that originally gave the word its’ gravitas have been dead for over 2000 years. Unfortunately, brands have begun to hop on the Spartan bandwagon so we’ve seen everything from Spartan races, Spartan athletic equipment and, now thanks to Microsoft we have the Spartan web browser. It’s a little early to cast judgement on Internet Explorer’s successor seeing as Windows 10 has yet to debut but, it does feel a bit like a last ditch effort by Microsoft to keep their own web browser. And who knows, it could be a vibrant success for a sleeping giant.
What is the Spartan Web Browser?
Contrary to popular belief, Microsoft’s Spartan web browser will not simply be an update to the tech giants former browser, Internet Explorer. Instead, users should expect an entirely different experience with Windows 10. One that should share some similar features with popular browsers such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Microsoft also hopes it will be able to apply Spartan to alternative platforms, such as iOS and Android.
The design and functionality of Spartan are expected to be just that; spartan. It will be a lightweight alternative to Internet Explorer (IE) while also having a foundation in place for third-party extensions and apps. That means you, as the user will be able to dictate the browsers function and fighting prowess without having to worry about a cluttered interface. The only confusing part is… couldn’t Microsoft have just updated IE without creating an entirely new browser? Well, no and here’s why.
Why Microsoft Had to Invent the Spartan Web Browser
While IE is still the most popular web browser in the world today, according to NetApplications, there are other browsers that are beginning to threaten Explorers dominance. Browsers like Google Chrome (and we have to say, Google is more than a worthy enough adversary for Microsoft). The truth is, the Spartan Web Browser is an attempt to atone for the mishaps of previous versions of IE that have tarnished Microsoft’s brand image. Spartan allows Microsoft to maintain it’s current dominance and put it’s competitors further behind them without spurning their customers. Not a bad business strategy.
This new Spartan web browser from Microsoft looks like it could be an immediate success when it launches in the latter half of 2015. It’s a win-win situation for both Microsoft and its’ users and, we have to say, we are very much looking forward to it. Or at least to finally say goodbye to Internet Explorer forever.
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