Microsoft Edge has gotten more and more higher through the years, however I’ve caught with Google Chrome — maybe by behavior, if nothing else. In any case, a web browser is the form of utility I don’t wish to take into consideration. That’s why the flashier options of current updates to Chrome, Edge, or even Arc haven’t swayed me. I don’t use Copilot, Collections, and even tab teams. That left me defaulted to Chrome.
I’m now using Microsoft Edge, although — and it’s not due to the commonest complaints about Chrome, resembling its well-documented reminiscence utilization. No, no. My cause for deciding to depart Chrome for Edge is predicated on a characteristic that was really launched way back in 2022. For the longest time, I ignored the Edge sidebar — in any case, the much less litter in my internet browser, the higher.
However then I attempted it. Specifically, I pulled it up with Microsoft Teams. We’ve been utilizing Groups as a corporation for a few years at this level after switching from Slack, and the advantage of which has at all times been its integration into the broader Microsoft 365 ecosystem. We use SharePoint, and regardless of my continued inclination to make use of Google Docs and Sheets, having all of your collaboration instruments in a single place is definitely useful.
By no means have I felt that extra, nevertheless, than when utilizing Groups constructed proper into Edge. I’m in Groups and my browser all day — the 2 are fairly inescapable. I’m always copying and pasting between the 2, referencing issues, and opening hyperlinks — identical to lots of people who work in entrance of a pc do, I might assume.
However one thing about having Groups constructed proper into the sidebar has actually clicked with me. For some individuals, Outlook goes to be extra helpful. However for me it’s Groups. Not having to always click on away and even cope with a second window has actually been handy for me. I simply don’t want the complete Groups window in 90% of circumstances. Having simply my record of chats at a look always is improbable. You don’t want essentially should be within the Microsoft ecosystem to take benefit both, since loads of third-party apps are supported
Now, there’s a serious asterisk right here. I’ve appreciated the Groups Sidebar in Edge most when engaged on a big monitor, which I do right here within the workplace. After I work on a smaller laptop computer, the sidebar can get in the best way. I typically desire to have a full-screen view of what I’m engaged on in my browser, and in that case, it’s much less supreme.
Clearly, this can be a characteristic that’s helpful solely in my situation. I’m by no means saying it’s a very good cause for everybody to ditch Chrome. But when your work requires you to remain on Groups all through your day, I’d a minimum of give it a shot.
