Microsoft has taken on the Edge Browser to iOS and Android operating systems

An Android app development company India provides services to build applications for one of the most popular platforms these days, the Android operating system. At present, Microsoft takes on the struggling Edge Browser to Android and iOS operating systems. Edge uses the same WebKit engine, which powers the Safari of Apple. The Android Edge in the meantime is based on the Blink engine that Google maintains for Chrome. With Microsoft Edge available on the two operating systems, the user base will triple. Not only that, Microsoft also makes it easier for users to synchronize passwords, tabs and other information to be more available. This will be very productive and empowers people to do and of course achieve more.

EDGE FOR MOBILE APPS TESTING

Microsoft has announced that it had created Android and iOS versions of its struggling Edge browser and will make both available to users for testing. This is great news for any mobile app design company, whether in India or in other places where mobile application development is one of the major source of income. Microsoft cast the Edge variations as vital in fleshing out the Windows 10 feature known as ‘Continue on PC’, that would debut with the Fall Creators Update, aka 1709 upgrade that begun shipping in October 17.

The feature links a particular phone or tablet, to a Windows 10 personal computer. It then automatically hands off certain in-progress tasks, like a half-finished Office document that’s opened in a browser, from device to device. What the Edge on Android or iOS truly stand out is its ability of continuing on a personal computer. It enables a developer to open the page immediately right on a personal computer or save it for work later.

SELLING POINT FOR WINDOWS 10

Consumers will not care much about this, but organization employees working on Office 365 that have a meeting, could grab their phone and fix a document in a car or in a plane. This could be a big deal to them. What may appear as only a minor convenience for consumers could be a selling point for Windows 10 in the organization. Microsoft is all about the enterprise market.

PROMOTING EDGE

It makes sense for Microsoft to promote Edge instead of relying on a rival browser for iOS and Android, even if Edge on these platforms is only a wrapper around the other rendering engines. As any developer could appreciate, learning and testing is an integral part of launching a new product. It is something that should not be taken lightly. The app for iOS is available now for a limited audience in the TestFlight system of Apple. The Android application would be available shortly through the Play Store Early Access of Android. Consistent with Windows 10 engineering approach, feedback could be listened throughout the preview and would update the applications regularly with new features and fixes. When feedback show that quality is great, the apps would be available for public download, a goal is to do it later this year.

THE PLATFORMS AND ENGINES

One of the most common questions of a web developer is what engine is used. Is EdgeHTML ported to iOS and Android? Choices are related directly to how people think about the goals of EdgeHTML engine itself on Windows 10. A web platform is a complex technology, which in a lot of respects duplicates the aspects of the whole operating system in one application. Part of the strategy with EdgeHTML is building an engine that, rather than replicating, the underlying platform works and integrates with it to deliver the best security possible, battery life, interactivity, accessibility, and simply pure raw performance on the platform. The EdgeHTML on Windows 10, it drives the web forward with new capabilities as well as supporting interoperable standards. Microsoft is fully committed to continue to do so in the future, across the entire Windows 10 platforms and form factors spectrum.

On iOS, Microsoft uses the WebKit engine as provided by iOS in WkWebView control. This means that from a compatibility view point, Microsoft Edge for iOS has to match the version of Safari, that available currently for iOS. On Android, it uses the Blink rendering engine from the Chromium browser project. The approach provides better performance and more control, compared to using the Android WebView control. In a compatibility point of view, Microsoft Edge for Android would match the Chrome version, that’s presently available for Android.

Microsoft Edge on Android and iOS would make people’s lives easier since there is no need to switch between devices trying to remember a password or article. Users want services that are easy and convenient, wherein they could access data without the need to enter their information in another browser. Some people have as much as fifty and over different accounts and passwords they are expected to remember.

Tech trends to look out for in 2017

As the end of the year is just days away, it’s time to look towards the future and mull over the next big thing in technology. The same as the year before, 2017 would bring its own issues and solutions, shaping the way people think and use technology.

THE RAPID GROWTH OF TECHNOLOGY

Information and communication technology has grown in leaps and bounds in the past decade. Nevertheless, experts claim that 2017 would bring more changes than history could boast of.

THE TRENDS THAT IS SET TO GROW IN 2017

1. Virtual Reality. With forecasts that predict the VR growth into a $30 billion market by 2020, a lot has been said regarding the bright future of virtual reality. While it remained on the verge of mainstream culture all throughout most of the year 2015, finally things started to pick up over the last twelve months. Furthermore, it seems that this time around virtual reality could legitimately reach the masses by 2017. Virtual reality has come a long way ever since Google thrust it closer to popular culture with the Cardboard release in 2014, both in terms of availability and performance. In just a window of one years, several leading manufacturers launched their headsets, pushing the technology steadily towards mainstream adoption. While Oculus, a Facebook-owned system kicked off the relay with the Oculus Rift release in late March, HTC followed quickly with the launch of the Vive headset in April. Samsung in august dropped the revamped Gear VR headset, together with the now-discontinued Galaxy Note 7, keeping the momentum going until the long-awaited PlayStation VR companion from Sony was delivered. Closing the cycle, Google unveiled its pimped up Cardboard successor Daydream View in November. Aside from that, Nintendo, Microsoft and Qualcomm have expressed ambition to pursue the development of the VR hardware. However, the timelines and details remain hazy. With the great volume of headset manufacturers as well as content creators, it is not surprising that VR finally is starting to catch the attention of consumers and mainstream media and this trend will definitely grow even further in 2017.

2. Autonomous driving. Although it would have been a frightful sight a few years back, chances are that there would be more vehicle without drivers next year. As technology continues evolving, industry giants are slowly venturing towards autonomous vehicles. As a matter of fact, the competition in the self-driving market is growing at exponential rates and the good results are not falling behind. Since introducing the ‘Autopilot’ back in 2015, Tesla has steadily been touching up the autonomous capabilities of its vehicles, demonstrating the huge potential that self-driving technologies hold for the future. The car maker plans to cram more self-driving hardware into its future models with the hopes of facilitating rides that are entirely hands-free. Google too has been running trials with its own autonomous vehicles in Austin, Mountain View, Kirkland and Phoenix. While some driving sessions have been less successful compared to others, its cars in the meantime have clocked over two million miles. Uber, the ride-sharing giant is also on the action, recently acquiring self-driving hardware developer Otto and since has successfully put its first fleet of self-driving trucks on the road. And while it was not the first one to do it, the company also ran several real world self-driving tests with cabs in Pittsburgh. Aside from that, BMW and Apple are also said to be planning their first forays towards self-driving technologies in the future.

3. Augmented reality. Augmented reality is also making progress and the amazing success of Pokemon Go proves that the technology has huge potential to influence consumers in meaningful and engaging ways. In line with business analysts, Tim Cook, the Apple CEO has voiced his belief consistently that augmented reality has the potential to become bigger than virtual reality and it seems that the iPhone maker is hell-bent on having a piece of the action. In 2015, Cupertino acquired AR developer Metaio. However, although the company since has kept quiet on its AR initiatives, some reports started surfacing on the web over the last year. In early November, Apple as rumored to be working on their own augmented reality glasses in the Google Glass style. At about the same time, news outlets speculated that the company is preparing an iOS update that would brush up iPhone 7 with enhanced camera capabilities as well as introduce a heap of AR features.

4. Drone deliveries. Once a viral publicity stunt, drone delivery may finally be a thing next year. Amazon, Google and Domino’s all have been messing around with the technology in the past year, doing a series of field tests in different locations, such as the United States, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. In the meantime, UPS and Walmart have been gearing as well to start delivering packets over their air for a while now. However, it still remains to be seen which company will manage to take the technology to a big scale. In any case, drones dropping pizzas no longer seems such an outlandish idea.

5. More interactive and functional homes. Homes may get more interactive and functional in 2017. Following the less than anticipated Amazon Echo success earlier this year, Google unveiled its own Google Home smart speaker to rival the e-Commerce giant. Rumors suggest that Samsung and Apple could be considering. Taking into consideration that Google and Amazon both leverage their respective Alexa and Assistant artificial intelligence system for powering smart speakers, the speculation does not seem far off. Recently, Apple opened up Siri to third party applications and the next logical step is to integrate it into other devices. Also, Samsung has been developing its own voice-assistant services with plans of integrating it into future home appliances as well as wearables.

The year 2017 will definitely be a year where more technology trends would emerge.

Virtual Reality will change the face of e Commerce

With the digital retail scene evolving constantly, new and innovative ways of engaging online shoppers are sought after by retailers. So far, Virtual reality is something that has only truly been encountered in the gaming environment. However, as retailers look to provide customers an immersive experience, virtual reality and augmented reality are becoming the next step in a growing digital world.

The notion of eCommerce having a role within virtual reality, such as virtually walking into a boutique is quite hysterical. VR is not going to replace Amazon or hopping in a car and driving to Target. For now, virtual reality allows one to catch a glimpse into a world that one has never otherwise experience before. It is taking part in a story. Nonetheless, because of its immersive nature, virtual reality makes for stronger brand experiences and could make a vital role in eCommerce and could change the face of eCommerce eventually.

Virtual reality, or VR has been discussed since the early 80’s and 90’s. It’s going to affect various aspects of daily life, not only in the form of commerce, entertainment and pastime, but as a way to increase knowledge, meet new people for business as well. Moreover, it could greatly boost communications. VR is only getting started, and it is going to be huge. It’s just a matter of time before VR technology hits a retail store in one’s locality. Retailers all over the world are embracing the technology in order to change or transform the way consumers live, play and shop. Some brands introduce VR headsets in their stores to allow shoppers to see its runaway shows and shop for items from the latest collection.

Beyond product promotion, VR is being utilized to tell a story regarding the craftsmanship of a brand and demonstrate the process of production. One example is TOMS, which recently introduced the Samsung VR headsets in its flagship outlets. The headsets take shoppers on a virtual trip to Peru, showing them what is like to give shoes to those who are in need. The company has been giving a pair of shoes for every pair sold since from the start. It is apparent that virtual reality offers numerous benefits to eCommerce retailers.

These days, new technology waves are crawling out of their primordial ooze and ready to make their debut as viable additions to the way that people shop. This is augmented and virtual reality. With VR, store owners would enable customers try accessories and clothing in a virtual store, put furniture into the houses of their customers within an application on the smart phone and show people how to assemble and utilize the products step-by-step with a live customer support. They allow customers to flaunt potential purchases to friends make their brands more personable, fun and engaging. They will crank up the potency of their segmented marketing, storytelling, cross-selling and upselling. Essentially, store owners soon would be bridging the gap between physical and web retail.

With virtual reality, customers enter a virtual dressing room and with only a few, easy swipes on a screen, they could see how different scarfs, dresses, accessories and necklaces look on them. So, how does VR work? VR works in such a way that a computer or phone camera, or a Microsoft 360 Kinect scans the customer into a chat-box-style video screen. Makeup, Jewelry and clothing then is selected on-screen and placed on to the body of the customer. Shoppers could also raise or lower their arms, turn around and experiment with what best fits.

By snapping images and pictures of their prospective new attires and upload them on social media, they could have fast feedback from family and friends, which make the experience feel nearer to the real thing. Augmented reality is providing a brick-and-mortar benefit to online fashion retailers, and it’s just begun. It is challenging to take into account how VR could simplify a purchase journey more than a well-designed application does. Definitely, there are some improvements to the decision-making process of a customer.

It's challenging to think about how VR can simplify a purchase journey more than a well-designed app does. There's definitely some improvements to a customer's decision-making processes. That said, I think even if the experience of browsing virtual stores was perfected as close as possible to the 'real thing' it's unlikely that a virtual store would achieve physical stores' conversion rates (approx. 20-40 per cent). It would be higher than online average (1-3 per cent), but this could be partly or fully for the same reason mobile apps enjoy a higher conversion rate - the visitor accessing an app (or VR store) is likely to be a higher quality visitor than a standard website one.

When an eCommerce brand has a brick and mortar store as well as an online shop, it could combine the two and acquire information back from people that use VR in the store. A store owner could see how customers move through the space and check out where the shop has blind spots, places wherein product is not noticed. This could be beneficial to eCommerce retailers to not just offer customers a great technological experience, but optimize the space in their actual retail shop as well. The same as the pattern with all useful and new technologies, once a few eCommerce operators start to offer VR, customers would quickly start to expect it from all businesses. Those that don’t provide such a service could be considered old-fashioned all of a sudden. When done well, VR could create a real difference to the eCommerce scenario.