Arr, methinks Microsoft be makin' grand improvements to this love-or-hate Edge browser feature, mateys!
2023-07-26
Arrr, me hearties! Edge be ready to bestow upon ye a more bespoke sailin' experience, courtesy o' the sidebar. Aye, yer browsin' shall be as fancy as a pirate's hat, made just fer ye. Savvy?
Microsoft has recently announced that developers can now create extensions for the Edge browser's sidebar. The sidebar is a panel that appears alongside the web page the user is browsing, providing convenient access to various features and tools. For example, users can use Outlook and compose emails directly in the web browser or access tools like a dictionary. The Bing AI chatbot is also available in the sidebar.Windows Central discovered Microsoft's blog post introducing the ability for developers to add their extensions to the sidebar. This opens up new possibilities for developers, who can implement their extensions to appear across all websites and tabs in Edge or only on specific sites. The sidebar can seamlessly revert to the default panel when the user switches to another tab.
These web extensions will operate as expected within the browser but will be accessible through the side panel. Developers have the flexibility to load scripts, call APIs, and unleash their creativity in the sidebar. This feature offers a more personalized browsing experience for users.
In addition, Microsoft plans to help users discover and install sidebar apps while browsing the web. Edge users will be notified and recommended extensions and apps when visiting websites that offer these perks. However, the sidebar is optional and can be disabled if desired.
In the future, there may be an option to detach the sidebar from Edge and place it on the desktop as a second taskbar for enthusiasts of this feature.