Microsoft Edge’s new ‘Buy now, pay later’ feature is the definition of bloatware (xda-developers.com)

Article summary

Microsoft Edge has introduced a new 'Buy now, pay later' feature, powered by a third-party company called Zip, which allows users to split payments into four installments over six weeks. This feature has been met with criticism, with many considering it bloatware and a revenue grab. The feature is currently available in the Canary and Dev channels and will roll out to the stable release of Microsoft Edge 96. The introduction of this feature has sparked debate about the browser's direction and Microsoft's priorities.

Main themes

• browser bloatware
• revenue grabs
• user experience
• Microsoft's priorities
• browser market share
• anti-competitive behavior
• Mozilla vs Microsoft
• browser alternatives

What commenters say

• Microsoft's introduction of the 'Buy now, pay later' feature is a clear example of bloatware and a revenue grab.
• The feature is unnecessary and encourages people to make purchases they may not need.
• Microsoft is prioritizing business deals and partnerships over user experience.
• The company's actions are reminiscent of its past behavior, such as bundling unwanted software with its products.
• Some argue that Mozilla is more morally bankrupt than Microsoft due to its past actions, such as taking Google money and bundling Pocket with Firefox.
• Others disagree, citing Microsoft's history of anti-competitive behavior and its current attempts to push Edge through Windows.
• The market for browsers is different now, with more options available, and Microsoft's tactics may not be effective in gaining market share.
• The introduction of this feature may drive users away from Edge and towards other browsers.