Why Didn't Microsoft Create a Chromium-Based Browser Sooner?

Many have questioned whether Microsoft would have benefited from adopting a Chromium-based browser sooner. While there were certainly challenges and reasons why Microsoft might have delayed the move, today, Microsoft Edge is one of the leading browsers in its own right, powered by Chromium. This shift marks a significant evolution in how Microsoft approaches browser design and development.

Microsoft's Current Approach to Browser Development

It’s important to note that Microsoft’s decision to base Edge on Chromium comes after a period of reflection. They recognized that embracing an open-source project like Chromium could bring several benefits to their browser, including faster development cycles, broader compatibility, and better performance.

Microsoft today is demonstrating a more collaborative and open approach. Gone are the days when they sought to build everything in-house. For instance, Microsoft added a full Linux development environment to Windows 10, and they developed Edge based on Chromium. This is the same base used by Google Chrome, which was first developed on a Linux environment.

The Performance Debate

One common argument against using Chromium is the perception that Microsoft’s rendering engine was already performing well. In reality, Microsoft’s rendering engine was indeed well-designed, power-efficient, and outperformed Google Chrome in Google’s own performance tests. This fact was so embarrassing to Google that they withdrew their own test software and publicly declared that ‘speed’ was no longer a valid metric for browser performance.

While speed may not be the only metric, it is still a crucial factor. This shift in perception underscores the changing landscape of browser competition, which now focuses more on features, security, and overall user experience.

The Marketing War

Google won the browser war not through technical superiority, but through a strategic marketing offensive. They successfully painted Microsoft as an evil empire and portrayed Google itself as a benevolent company dedicated to making everything "good, free, and open source.” This narrative resonated with many consumers and helped Google Chrome gain market share.

It is worth noting that this narrative is still somewhat prevalent today. Despite Google becoming one of the richest companies on earth, they continue to portray themselves as a champion of transparency and open-source principles.

Much like “perhaps they can declare that having an obscene amount of money is no longer a good metric of wealth”, we might expect to see a change in narrative as well. It’s possible that Google will need to confront the reality that wealth accumulation alone does not equate to technical superiority or user-centric innovation.

The Future of Edge

March 2019 marked a significant milestone for Microsoft Edge, as the new version based on Chromium was heavily leaked and reviewed. The first reviews based on these leaks have been highly promising. It’s clear that Microsoft heeded the feedback and lessons learned during its earlier attempts to develop its own browser engine.

To date, as of December 2018, Microsoft confirmed that they will base their Edge browser's engine with Google's Chromium component. This official move has already set expectations for an improved, more stable, and feature-rich browser.

You can read more about the new Chromium-powered Edge browser here. It’s about time that Microsoft embraced open-source collaboration, and the results appear to be a step in the right direction.

Conclusion

The browser landscape is continually evolving, and Microsoft's adoption of Chromium is just one example of how companies are integrating open-source technologies to enhance their products and stay competitive. As Microsoft moves forward with their new Edge, the future looks promising for browser technology and user experience.