Microsoft has introduced its new browser, Edge, as a replacement for Internet Explorer.

The new browser has a sleek, minimalist design that boasts built-in Cortana support along with reading and digital ink note-taking capabilities.

Edge could just be the thing that puts Microsoft, and Bing, back on the map, says Thom Craver, vice president of development and IT at Internet Marketing Ninjas.

“Anything that puts more attention on Bing will be good for Microsoft,” Craver says. “[Bing] recently saw its search share break 20 percent for the first time. While Internet Explorer has a bad reputation with many developers, non-techies have no idea how bad of a browser it has been. Even the name, ‘Edge,’ feels like a cutting-edge new toy. And they’ll likely port it to X-Box and other mobile devices for a complete experience. As long as the Internet Explorer moniker stays hiding, they have a real shot at it catching on.”

If Edge is indeed as fast and compatible as Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president of Microsoft, intimated at yesterday’s Build event, the new browser could be a major coup for the brand, says Craver.

“[Microsoft] said that existing Chrome and Firefox extensions would be able to be used with a few modifications,” Craver says. “This would be huge for developers. Having existing, familiar plugins like Majestic’s backlink analyzer, Firebug, or SEOQuake completely available would eliminate barriers that would otherwise prevent people from switching browsers. If it’s as fast and works as they claim, this could be a home run for Microsoft.”