Microsoft had a great start with Internet Explorer when it was first launched. But as time passed, the browser became something that struggles around the corner of the market it is in.
Then when Microsoft launched the Edge browser, it wanted to take aim at getting even with other giant browsers, namely Google's Chrome and Apple's Safari.
So far, the company has just a small share of the market at about 3.7 percent.
But still, Microsoft is determined to make Windows 10 PCs work great on mobile devices as part of its Continue on PC Program. With it, Microsoft brought its Edge browser app to both Android and iOS.
Rather than releasing the app as a beta on its initial release, Microsoft is releasing Edge via a TestFlight on iOS, and is limited to only 10,000 users.
Edge on Android and iOS allows users to access their favorite and reading list that they've saved on their computers. The app also comes with Reading View baked-in, which offers a distraction-free reading experience, and the ability to sync half-finished Office documents.
The main difference is that the Edge app isn't using the EdgeHTML layout engine, but instead use the standard on the device it is meant to be. So, on Android, Edge uses Blink/Chromium, while for iOS users it uses WebKit/WKWebView.
For Microsoft, entering its rivals' platforms is challenging. Although some issues are the same, Edge browser app should deal with different aspect rations and various screen resolutions, as well as performance and battery consumption.
The last time Microsoft released a browser for a platform other than its own was in 2003. So this time, at the initial release, Microsoft doesn't really care to introduce innovations or reinvent the wheel.
But still, having its Edge browser on Android and iOS means that Microsoft is confidence on its products, even when acknowledging that its Edge browser doesn't perform that well on the market. Ultimately, Microsoft wants to entice users who otherwise would have passed on it.
So here Microsoft wants a bit of the pie. While Chrome and Safari are already having a healthy amount of users, Edge is just another contender with a giant support on its back. In a market where good competition should reside, Microsoft is placing its bet.
Microsoft also confirmed its plans for Microsoft Launcher exclusively for Android smartphone users.