Microsoft Edge Canary Replaces MSN Feed with Copilot on New Tab Page

Microsoft Edge Canary's New Tab Page Replaces MSN with Copilot

Microsoft is actively testing a significant overhaul of the New Tab Page (NTP) in the Canary version of its Edge browser. This update aims to replace the existing MSN feed with a new interface powered by Microsoft Copilot, the company's AI assistant. The goal is to streamline the browsing experience and integrate AI more deeply into the user's daily workflow.

Key Changes and Features:

Copilot Integration: The most prominent change is the replacement of the MSN feed with a Copilot-centric interface. When users open a new tab, they will be greeted with a compose box and a prompt like, "How can I help you today?"
Streamlined Design: The new design is intended to be uncluttered, focusing on providing quick access to AI-powered assistance.
Copilot vs. Bing Search: The default option for queries will intelligently choose between a Copilot response for more complex tasks or a Bing search for straightforward information retrieval. This means users can ask Copilot to summarize content, write drafts, or offer advice, while general web searches will be handled by Bing.
Copilot Button Options: The Copilot button within the new interface offers three distinct modes:
- Default: This mode balances search and chat suggestions. Bing handles direct searches, while Copilot assists with summarization and other AI-driven tasks.
- Chat: Currently, this option redirects users to Bing.com, but it is expected to evolve into a dedicated chat interface if the feature rolls out widely.
- Search and Navigate: This mode prioritizes traditional web searching, excluding AI-generated responses.
Actionable Options: Below the main compose box, users will find options like "Write a first draft," "Learn something new," and "Get advice." These currently redirect to Bing.com but suggest future functionalities for direct AI assistance.
Enabling the Feature: To test this new interface, users need to be on the Edge Canary build. They can enable it by navigating to edge://flags and searching for "NTP" (New Tab Page) flags, toggling them on, and restarting the browser.

Strategic Implications:

This move by Microsoft appears to be a strategic effort to increase user engagement with Copilot. By making Copilot the default experience on the New Tab Page, Microsoft aims to familiarize users with its AI capabilities and encourage broader adoption.

Promoting Copilot Adoption: Integrating Copilot directly into the browser's entry point is a clear strategy to drive usage and demonstrate its value.
Vision Feature Accessibility: Unlike some other AI features tied to specific hardware (like Copilot+ PCs), the Vision feature, which allows Copilot to interact with the user's screen, is not limited. This makes it more accessible to a wider audience.
Competition: This update positions Edge more competitively against other browsers and AI assistants, particularly in the evolving landscape of AI-integrated software.

Author Information:

The article is written by Judy Sanhz, a Computing Writer for Digital Trends, who covers computing news and has a broad interest in operating systems and devices.

Image Descriptions:

The article includes several images:

A primary image showing the Microsoft Edge browser interface on a computer screen.
An image illustrating the different options for the Copilot button (Default, Search and Navigate, Chat).
Placeholder images for related articles featuring Microsoft Copilot and other computing topics.

This update signifies Microsoft's continued commitment to integrating AI into its core products, aiming to provide a more intelligent and personalized browsing experience for its users.