Microsoft Edge’s next update to remove unpopular features; Grammar Tools, Kids Mode get the boot
Microsoft is set to release the latest version of its Edge web browser, but with a twist – they are shedding some of its existing features.
The upcoming Edge version 117, currently in beta testing and slated to have a stable version on September 14, is set to bid farewell to five features that haven't gained much traction.
Neowin and 9to5Google have reported that Math Solver, Picture Dictionary, Citations, Grammar Tools, and Kids Mode will be making an exit.
This decision comes as part of Microsoft's drive to streamline its browser interface. The features, previously marked for «deprecation,» were highlighted in the recent beta channel release notes on August 25.
In its ongoing rivalry with the popular Google Chrome browser, Microsoft Edge has been striving to carve out its own identity. But sometimes the accumulation of additional features can lead to a cluttered interface.
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The decision to discontinue these features doesn't come as a shock, given that they weren't prominent among users. For instance, Citations, introduced in 2021, was quickly relegated to the ‘More tools’ overflow menu a few months later.
Certain features like Math Solver also exist outside Edge, accessible as standalone apps on Android and iOS.
However, Kids Mode, introduced in 2021, might be the most notable loss. It offered parents the ability to exert control over their children's browsing experience by enhancing tracking protection and enforcing SafeSearch
