Microsoft recently started testing buy now, pay later functionality in Edge, and it sparked a conversation about what should be in a browser.
Microsoft Edge has a new feature in the works that allows online shoppers to spread payment across multiple installments. It's called buy now, pay later (BNPL), and it's caused quite the stir on the web. BNPL is currently in testing on Microsoft Edge Dev. The post announcing the feature has over 200 comments, many of which are extremely negative.
Critics of the option have called the integration of BNPL with Edge a "shameless cash grab," "bloat," and "exploitive." People have added dozens of tags to the Tech Community announcement post, such as "predatory," "garbage," and "poor leadership."
The core argument of many is that Microsoft should not build this type of functionality directly within the Edge browser. Instead, critics call for extensions to be used for shopping features. Buy now, pay later functionality has been particularly criticized because many people that use the feature fall behind on payments and end up in debt.
Microsoft appears to disagree with these sentiments, as the company started testing BNPL in Edge in mid-November. It partnered with Zip, which powers the feature.
Edge includes several shopping features, such as a coupon tool that helps you find discounts. Microsoft highlights this fact in a campaign that shows prompts when people try to download Google Chrome through Edge.
One of the messages that appears states:
"'I hate saving money,' said no one ever. Microsoft Edge is the best browser for online shopping."
Microsoft has marketed Edge as the "best browser for shopping." BNPL seems like an extension of this platform, as it provides another option for online purchases.
Do you think Microsoft Edge should have shopping features built in? Let us know in the poll above and share your thoughts in the comments below.
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