According to XDA-Developers, Microsoft Edge offers several underrated features that boost productivity without requiring additional extensions. The browser includes vertical tabs that display more page titles for easier navigation, Collections for organizing research across multiple pages, AI-powered Copilot integration for instant sidebar assistance, and split screen functionality for comparing content side-by-side. These features work seamlessly within Edge’s Chromium-based framework, allowing users to manage tab clutter and extended research sessions more effectively. The author specifically highlights how split screen helped compare phone models and how vertical tabs improved workflow visibility on larger monitors.
The productivity edge
Here’s the thing about browser wars – most people just default to Chrome without really considering the alternatives. But Microsoft has been quietly building some genuinely useful productivity features into Edge that Chrome doesn’t offer out of the box. Vertical tabs might seem like a small thing, but when you’re dealing with dozens of tabs, being able to actually read the page titles instead of squinting at tiny icons? That’s a game-changer for workflow organization.
Where Edge actually innovates
Collections and Copilot integration are where Edge starts to feel genuinely different from Chrome. Collections basically give you a visual workspace for research projects – you can drag pages in, add notes, rearrange by priority, and even include images. It’s like having a built-in research assistant that doesn‘t require third-party extensions. And Copilot in the sidebar? Being able to highlight text and get instant summaries without losing your place on the page is something I find myself using more than I expected. The “Think Deeper” option actually provides surprisingly useful breakdowns of complex topics.
The browser competition nobody’s talking about
So why isn’t Edge more popular? Honestly, I think it’s mostly inertia and Chrome’s ecosystem lock-in. But Microsoft is doing something interesting here – they’re not trying to beat Chrome at being Chrome. Instead, they’re building features that appeal specifically to power users and productivity-focused workflows. The split screen feature is another example – comparing two products side-by-side without constantly switching tabs is something you don’t realize you need until you’ve used it. These aren’t flashy consumer features; they’re tools for people who actually use browsers for work.
Where browsers are heading
Looking at Edge’s feature set makes me wonder if we’re entering a new phase of browser development. The basic rendering engine battle is basically over – everyone’s using Chromium now. The real differentiation is happening in the productivity and AI spaces. Microsoft’s deep integration with their own AI tools gives them an advantage that Google strangely hasn’t capitalized on in Chrome. If you’re someone who spends hours in a browser every day, these productivity features might actually justify switching. They certainly make Edge worth keeping around as a secondary browser for specific tasks, even if Chrome remains your daily driver.
