Project Spartan Browser to Feature in Next Windows 10 Preview: Microsoft

Microsoft initially revealed details about its new browser for the upcoming Windows 10 operating system, currently referred to as Project Spartan, at the company's 'The Next Chapter' event in January. The Redmond giant however did not reveal an exact release date for the Spartan browser.

Now, Microsoft's Kevin Gallo, technical lead for Windows universal apps, has confirmed that a test version of the new browser will be available in the next Windows 10 preview. Gallo however did not specify a release time-frame for the next Windows 10 build.

The Verge reports, citing sources familiar with the company's plans, that the next Windows 10 preview will release by the end of March. It adds that, "Gallo demonstrated a number of universal test apps using a new version of the Windows 10 preview." According to report, Gallo was running Build 10026 tipping that this might be the next preview build released.

Microsoft detailed some of the features of Spartan browser that include Cortana integration, reading list with synchronisation, and web page annotation. One of the biggest highlights of the new browser will be Cortana virtual assistant integration, which would show up on relevant pages to display additional information, and could also be used to quickly find what the user is looking for. Additionally, Cortana would also show added details about the sites being browsed. Another prominent feature in the upcoming Spartan browser from Microsoft is it will allow users to annotate a web page. Users can also sync notes to OneDrive and even share send the notes and annotations to others. Also present in the upcoming Spartan browser is a reading mode that optimises a webpage for reading, as well as a built-in PDF viewer. The new browser will also support extensions like other rival browsers.

The Project Spartan browser, featuring a new rendering engine, is slated to be the successor to the Internet Explorer. Microsoft however is yet to reveal details about whether the Project Spartan browser will be launched as the next version of Internet Explorer, or if it will be rebranded with a new name.