The iOS version of Microsoft Edge was updated today to support ebooks purchased from the Microsoft Store. There’s no word yet on when this support is coming to Edge for Android as well, but I assume that release is imminent.
Support for ebooks has been promised as “coming soon” ever since Microsoft Edge launched on mobile in late 2017. But as the release notes for today’s app update explain, this support is basic and isn’t yet complete: Bookmarks, annotation, and highlights are not supported. The app notes that the ebooks support is in preview, and there’s obviously no way to shop in the Store from the app.
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Microsoft Edge 42.1.0 for iOS also includes the following new features:
You can download Microsoft Edge for iOS from the Apple App Store.
skane2600
<p>So basically an iOS browser that nobody uses supports an ebook store nobody uses. OK, obviously I'm exaggerating but is this really the best use of Microsoft's time?</p>
skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#279285"><em>In reply to paul-thurrott:</em></a></blockquote><p>Sure, that's why there's a kindle app for iOS, but what I'm questioning is MS's business case both for Edge on iOS and their ebook store. It seems they want to be in the "also ran" column in a number or categories such as ebooks, music, video etc.</p>
skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#279293"><em>In reply to Chris_Kez:</em></a></blockquote><p>Anything is possible but it's hard to imagine what strategy they would have beyond selling ebooks. </p>
Stooks
<blockquote><a href="#279293"><em>In reply to Chris_Kez:</em></a></blockquote><p>That is some serious wishful thinking. Not only is the messaging all wrong for the 54th time (dump mobile, dump music, dump the band…lets try book?) but even if Microsoft went way, way, way, WAY in on ebooks it is simply too late. Kindle is #1 and iBooks on iOS is strong #2 because of schools that use the iOS products.</p>
skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#279400"><em>In reply to chrisrut:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Your understanding of Occam's Razor is quite different than mine. The simplest explanation is that they want people to buy books from their store. We could imagine a more sophisticated reason, it might even be true, but it wouldn't qualify as the simplest.</p><p><br></p><p>There's a difference between making your dominant industry standard applications available on multiple platforms and competing in a broad market with well-entrenched competitors that are even better established on multiple platforms.</p>
skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#279332"><em>In reply to SvenJ:</em></a></blockquote><p>Well, they were an "also ran" before they gave up. The point is they keep jumping into categories that are already dominated by competitors without offering any unique advantages. You'd think by now they would have learned their lesson.</p>
Stooks
<blockquote><a href="#279284"><em>In reply to skane2600:</em></a></blockquote><p>I could not agree more. Kindle and iBooks on iOS probably own 99.88659% of a books on iOS. Edge and books on Edge on iOS seem like a crazy waste of effort.</p>
skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#279447"><em>In reply to JohnPC:</em></a></blockquote><p>I'm not sure about the free business apps (e.g. banks, airlines etc) but Apple customers seem to be more wiling to part with their money than the average Android user. </p>