Microsoft begins testing Edge browser on Xbox consoles

Microsoft has started testing its Chromium-based Edge browser on Xbox consoles. For now, the test is still limited to a small number of users who belong to the Alpha Skip-Ahead group. Until now, only the built-in EdgeHTML browser was available.

According to The Verge editor Tom Warren, there is not yet support for using a mouse or keyboard, but the Edge browser works as users would expect in combination with a controller. There would still be some bugs present. The test is available for Xbox One and Xbox Series X and S.

The arrival of Edge to consoles should improve the browsing experience. Because the browser is based on Chromium, there should also be support for using Google Stadia on the Xbox consoles, as well as for games and other services. Warren says the current early version also appears to have support for extensions, vertical tabs, Collections, and other Edge features.

The legacy built-in browser on Xbox consoles is EdgeHTML and its desktop support ends on March 9. Microsoft announced this in August last year. That means this legacy version of the app will no longer get security updates. The current test of the new Edge browser on Xbox consoles means that the app will eventually be available to all Xbox users, but it is still unknown when that will be the case.

Image from Tom Warren’s Twitter account