Wonder

Research Outline

Prepared for Tyler A. | Delivered December 10, 2020

Recent/Planned MS Edge Shopping-Related Functionalities

Goals

The goal is to understand how the Microsoft Edge web browser is improving for shopping by reviewing Microsoft Edge's Beta blog and release notes and examining what Microsoft Edge has recently released or is planning to release in terms of shopping-related functionalities. 

Early Findings

Microsoft has released Edge 88 to the Beta channel on December 9, 2020. It comes with numerous new features, including new shopping functionalities. 
Microsoft is yet to detail the features included in this latest Beta release, but recent Dev Channel release notes, Beta Channel release notes, and Stable Channel release notes offer insights into these new shopping functionalities. 
Release notes for Dev Channel Version 88.0.702.0 indicate that Microsoft has given Edge the ability to proactively locate and display coupons while the user is shopping. 
Release notes for Dev Channel Version 88.0.673.0 indicate that Microsoft has introduced "a management policy to control the Edge Shopping Assistant" but has not updated documentation and administrative templates yet.  
Release notes for Beta Channel Version 87.0.664.12 indicate that Microsoft has introduced a new policy that enables the Edge Shopping Assistant. 
Release notes for Stable Channel Version 87.0.664.55 indicate that Microsoft has given Edge the ability to help users find better prices, and has modified settings such that shopping features are enabled by default. 
Release notes for Stable Channel Version 87.0.665.41 indicate that Microsoft has given Edge the ability to help users find coupons. 