Forum Discussion
Ongoing sync between Microsoft Edge and Chrome - Discussion
Thanks everyone for sharing your perspective on this topic. It is really helpful to see the sentiments and thoughts towards such a possibility. Please consider this thread closed for now. Stay assured, we are paying attention to everyone's requirements and concerns and are committed to doing the right thing for all of you.
I understand that a few users might need this syncing feature. However, I'm sure most of us would agree that the number of such users won't be many. On the contrary, many of us do not want any kind of Google's services incorporated in Microsoft Edge browser.
If users still want such features, third party extensions (like Pocket for example) can step in. Users can sign in to these extensions (available across both, Chrome and Edge) with a common account and get their sync.
This what what online accounts are meant for. This is what extensions are meant for: to add the features in a browser that only a few people want. If such features are in-built, we call them "bloatware". And Microsoft Edge browser bloated with Google's services? No thanks.
Hence, I'm convinced and strongly suggest that a Chrome extension would be the best option, and that too only if it's absolutely necessary to implement such a feature.
I agree that Microsoft must focus on improving sync with first party services. Edge is available on all major platforms. Hence, sync between Edge and Chrome will only hamper the adoption of Edge.
"However, I'm sure most of us would agree that the number of such users won't be many."
I would suggest otherwise.
I'm sure most of us would also agree that the new chromium Edge is gaining more traction from Chrome users. Having that said, because more and more Chrome users are migrating to Chrome, some of these users:
- A) still use and prefer Chrome on their mobile devices, and therefore
- B) need to access their desktop browsing history on their phones
But obviously we can't do that anymore because we're using two different browsers.
"On the contrary, many of us do not want any kind of Google's services incorporated in Microsoft Edge browser."
Like what I said to HotCake, I'm not quite sure why you assumed that syncing implies the importation of google services. To me, syncing just means being able to see your ongoing browsing history (and/or bookmarks) from Edge to Chrome. If such a suggestion was phrased to explicitly mention syncing google services including extensions, then I would also have to object to that as well. I'm not looking for syncing extensions, in fact I dislike that feature from chrome.
"Hence, I'm convinced and strongly suggest that a Chrome extension would be the best option, and that too only if it's absolutely necessary to implement such a feature."
There's just only one (huge) problem with that: you can't install extensions on the mobile Chrome app. I don't believe that I am the only one who uses Edge on their computer while using Chrome on their phone.
In fact, if I could guesstimate, I would say that the majority of users who need this feature are because of this exact reason. On the other hand, I'm not sure why anyone would need to use both Chrome and Edge on their desktops simultaneously, but if such a use case exists, it's an obscure one (e.g. coding?).
Basically I am arguing that:
- this feature is essential for the above reasons, and
- that your suggestion is futile also for the above reasons
Obviously nobody really wants two completely different things mixed together, especially is they serve identical purposes. Please have an open mind and understand why such a feature is important to users who have just migrated from Chrome. I'm not going to tolerate opening every webpage from Edge to Chrome just because I want to view it on my phone/tablet.