Microsoft Edge Canary is now enhanced with an optional integration of the Copilot assistant. This integration is designed to augment user experience by providing quick actions and suggestions via Copilot. The aim is to streamline navigation through Edge browser settings, making it more efficient.
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Features
Edge Canary now features a banner at the top of each settings section. This banner displays a variety of tasks that Copilot can facilitate, including grouping tabs, clearing browsing history, and enabling a vertical tab layout.
Users can engage with Copilot directly on the settings page via an “Ask Copilot” button. This feature is designed to highlight the versatility of Copilot in managing various Edge settings.
Similar to its functionality in Windows 11, Copilot in Edge can be accessed through various AI prompts that open Copilot in the sidebar upon user interaction.
Review
The integration of Copilot may prove beneficial for users who are new to Edge’s settings. However, its utility for seasoned users remains to be seen. A notable drawback is that clicking on the example tasks within the banner does not directly perform the action. Users are required to interact with Copilot’s interface to complete the request.
While Edge does not open Copilot in the sidebar when a prompt in the settings is clicked, it does execute the requested action when the user selects the prompt and chooses “Ask Copilot” in the mini menu. The availability of prompts as actions for Copilot to respond to would have been a more user-friendly feature. However, this is currently under experimentation.
Copilot Prompts
Here are some Copilot prompts related to Edge browser usage. Users can type these prompts in Edge to see Copilot perform actions on their behalf:
- Manage Passwords, change my default home page, change default browser theme, Turn on Vertical Tabs
- Clear browsing data, Manage my Payment Settings, and organize my tabs automatically
- Change browser theme, Show my browsing history, Group similar tabs together
- Customize edge sidebar, organize my tabs automatically
Conclusion
This update is in line with Microsoft’s recent trend of incorporating Copilot into their products. The effectiveness of this approach is yet to be determined, as it may offer potential benefits for some users while posing drawbacks for others.
This update in Edge Canary reflects Microsoft’s continuous efforts to leverage AI for enhancing user experience. The long-term impact and user reception of the Copilot integration will likely be influenced by individual preferences and its effectiveness in assisting users.