Microsoft's Spartan Browser Leaked Again; Cortana, Other Features Detailed

Neowin has posted small and blurry images of Microsoft's 'Spartan' browser that show a Modern UI interface.

Notably, the leaked screenshots of the 'Spartan' browser posted by BGR earlier this week, and now by Neowin, show different interfaces of the browser. Neowin also points that the previous leak, which claimed to show the 'Spartan' browser in screenshots were fake.

The publication has also posted a mock-up image based on the leaked screenshots of the 'Spartan' browser.

It notes that the top left of the browser houses tabs, with each including close icons for closing the tabs. Below the first tab are the back, forward, and refresh buttons of the browser. Much like Chrome and Firefox, the 'Spartan' browser mock-up image shows a star icon at the extreme right of the navigation bar for favourites. Just next to star icon is the 'reading mode' button. "If you click that button, it strips out the text of an article and makes it easier to read the content on a page," adds Neowin.

Other buttons included in the browser are the folder icon and the share icon, similar to Windows 8.

The site further details, "Spartan runs in a borderless window that allows your content to stretch from edge to edge. This means that there is nothing at the bottom of the window to see and all of the new UI elements are at the top of the browser."

In addition to images, sources familiar with Windows plans for a new browser have spilled some details to The Verge's resident Microsoft watcher - Tom Warren.

Warren claims that one of the most prominent features in the upcoming 'Spartan' browser from Microsoft is "new inking support that allows Windows 10 users to annotate a web page with a stylus and send the notes and annotations to a friend or colleague." It adds that the Web note service will be powered by Microsoft's OneDrive cloud storage.

Another major feature expected in the 'Spartan' browser is Cortana digital assistant integration. The Verge notes, "Microsoft is planning to use Cortana to surface information on flights, hotel bookings, package tracking, and other data within the traditional address bar."

Some of the other features of the 'Spartan' browser include a new group tabs feature that is said to help in de-clutter multiple browser tabs.

The Verge's Sources also claim that Microsoft will make Spartan a Windows Store app, "enabling the company to quickly and easily update the browser in future." It also suggests that the company plans to keep look and feel of 'Spartan' browser similar across smartphones, tablets, and PCs - in line with the multi-form factor design of Windows 10.

"Microsoft also originally planned to allow Spartan to support custom themes, but we understand the company has dropped this for the final new browser in Windows 10. Such support may arrive in future updates," claims Warren. Reports have pointed that the 'Spartan' browser might be shown at the scheduled 'The Next Chapter' event for Microsoft Windows 10 on January 21.