Microsoft Edge Mobile: AI Revolutionizes Smartphone Browsing

Microsoft Edge, Microsoft's browser, is now positioning itself as a serious competitor in the mobile browser market thanks to the integration of new features based on artificial intelligence (AI). These additions, which were previously available on the desktop version, are now accessible on mobile devices, providing an enhanced user experience.

Summary of Tabs and Enhanced History

One of the standout features of this update is the ability to summarize multiple open tabs simultaneously. With Copilot, Edge's AI assistant, users can obtain summaries or answers to questions regarding the content of several tabs without having to navigate between them. This feature is available on Apple and Android devices running version 148 or higher of Edge.

To use this function, simply open the browser, search for a topic, and open multiple tabs. On the new tab page, the user can tap the Copilot icon at the beginning of the search bar, then type or say their question or request, such as "Summarize the information in the open tabs." Copilot then analyzes the content of all open pages and generates a response.

Another notable improvement is the Trips feature, which tracks users' past searches. It allows users to easily pick up a previously explored topic by displaying the last consulted topic on the new tab page. Users can enable this option in the Edge mobile settings. To do this, go to the Edge mobile settings, then tap on the Copilot and AI settings. Next, select the option for Copilot's New Tab page and toggle the switches to Enable Copilot's New Tab page and Enable Trips.

New Interactions with Content

Edge mobile also offers a new simplified tab page, where users can search or ask questions to Copilot. This page allows users to add or remove web page icons, making access to frequently visited content easier. From this page, users can see icons for certain web pages to revisit them. By pressing the Add button, more pages can be added, including built-in features to the list. It is also possible to remove an icon by long-pressing and tapping on X.

Furthermore, Copilot can now access browsing history to continue a conversation on a previously explored topic. This feature allows users to obtain updated information based on past discussions. Simply tell the AI to discuss the topic you were browsing earlier, and it should review the history and reference past discussions to provide updated information.

Creation of Podcasts and Interactive Quizzes

Among the new AI capabilities of Edge, the ability to transform web pages into podcasts is particularly innovative. Users can ask Copilot to generate a podcast from the current web page or from all open tabs, offering a new way to consume content. At Copilot's prompt, just type or tell it to create a podcast. After a few minutes of generation, the podcast is ready, and the user can press the Listen button to start it, with the option to pause and skip forward or backward by 10 seconds.

Additionally, the Study and Learn mode allows Copilot to create interactive quizzes on complex topics. By opening a web page on a difficult subject, users can ask the AI to generate a multiple-choice quiz to test their knowledge. To do this, simply open a web page on a challenging topic and at Copilot's prompt, type "Give me a quiz on this topic." The AI then generates a brief multiple-choice quiz to challenge the user.

A Versatile AI Assistant

Finally, Edge introduces a new AI assistant, Copilot Vision, which helps users interact with their current screen, whether on mobile or desktop. This feature is particularly useful for those who need assistance in understanding or navigating the displayed content. With Copilot Vision, it is possible to share the current screen on mobile as well as on desktop, and then ask the AI questions about the content.

In the past, the author of the article did not use Edge mobile much, as Safari and Chrome always seemed more convenient and accessible. But with these new capabilities of Copilot, they are sure to turn to Edge more frequently, especially when searching for information that could benefit from AI assistance.