Microsoft officially introduced Project Spartan, its replacement for Internet Explorer, back in January during the Windows 10 press event. Since then, we’ve learned many new features coming to the new web browser.
Today, a new video published by WinBeta on YouTube, shows Project Spartan for the first time outside of Microsoft. The video demonstration highlights the Cortana integration in the browser running on an unknown build version of Windows 10.
The features shown in the video are similar to what we have already seen in the press event back in January. However, you’ll notice that the interaction with Cortana in the web browser is far much different from the experience in the desktop. According to the video, most of the interaction will happen with the keyboard & mouse, rather than using voice commands.
For example, visiting a restaurant web page, you’ll notice Cortana jumping up and down in the address bar, suggesting to view additional information about that particular place. Clicking on Cortana will bring a fly out menu with a rich data set with directions, hours, reviews, and more.
Windows 10 build 9926: Hands-on with updated UI, Cortana, Tablet mode, Action Center, Store beta, apps (video)
Cortana for Project Spartan in Windows 10 also enables users to ask anything. For example, highlighting a word, right clicking it, and selecting “Ask Cortana” will bring up the fly out menu with a definition of the word. If you highlight other content, Cortana will understand the content and answer accordingly.
Finally, the video shows answers without having to leave the address bar. You can type “weather” and the local forecast information will come up immediately.
During the Mobile World Congress, Microsoft has also demonstrated the browser on Windows 10 for phones, and we also know that the software giant is planning to release a preview of Project Spartan later this month with the next build of Windows 10.
