It could soon be easier than ever to have multiple websites open side-by-side, as Microsoft is reportedly rolling out usability improvements to its split screen feature.
Split screen – which is offered natively on Edge but requires a plugin on Chrome – allows users to have two pages open side-by-side in their browser, each taking up individual columns. It offers huge productivity benefits because, rather than having to navigate back and fore between tabs, users can simply see everything they need in one window.
The benefits are manifold, with Microsoft itself highlighting image copying, working from a source document or compiling research as just some of the tasks that will become much more straightforward when working on a split screen.
In fact, so sure is the company of the benefits on offer that it appears to be testing a new way of making it quicker and easier to jump into split screen mode.
X user Leopeva64 discovered a trial feature when dragging a link on Microsoft Edge, at which point a tab popped up overlaying the right-hand side of the web browser saying: ‘Open in split screen’. Dropping the link into this area (which expanded further when hovered over) brought up a second column displaying the web page contained in the dragged link.
Leopeva64 was also presented with a blue tab at the top that read: ‘Release to open link in new tab’ – for users not wanting to jump into split screen mode.
This feature is very much still in its testing phase, with no firm date on when – or even if – it’ll get a global rollout. That said, many would expect it to come, and in the not too distant future, with this handy tool not just a way to improve ease of use and productivity but also give Edge a competitive advantage over its fiercest rival Chrome.
