News
Microsoft To Finally Retire Internet Explorer In 2022
Microsoft has been gradually phasing out Internet Explorer over the years by cutting it off from accessing some of its products, and promoting Microsoft Edge.
After more than 25 years of service, Microsoft has finally decided to retire its iconic web browser, Internet Explorer.
The official end of its support has been scheduled on June 15, 2022, and the few people who still rely on it are encouraged to switch to Microsoft Edge or some other modern web browser by that time.
“We are announcing that the future of Internet Explorer on Windows 10 is in Microsoft Edge,” writes Sean Lyndersay, Microsoft Edge program manager, in the official press release.
The announcement is great news for all web developers who still have to implement various compatibility hacks just to make their websites display well on Internet Explorer, whose web browser market share has been hovering around 1 percent lately, according to data from StatCounter.
Microsoft has been gradually phasing out Internet Explorer over the years by cutting it off from accessing some of its products, including Microsoft 365 online services, which will completely stop supporting the web browser beginning August 17, 2021.
“Not only is Microsoft Edge a faster, more secure, and more modern browsing experience than Internet Explorer, but it is also able to address a key concern: compatibility for older, legacy websites and applications,” Lyndersay adds.
Also Read: Snapchat Launches Its Spotlight Feature In The MENA Region
Indeed, Microsoft Edge has a built-in compatibility mode for legacy Internet Explorer-based websites and applications, including those that rely on ActiveX, a deprecated software framework that allows websites to provide interactive content such as videos and games.
The latest iteration of Microsoft Edge is actually based on Chromium, the open-source codebase for Google’s Chrome web browser. Because Edge and Chrome share the same codebase, they also support the same extensions and offer similar features. However, many independent tests show that Edge has the upper hand when it comes to performance, memory usage, and responsiveness.
News
Popcorn AI Raises $500,000 For “Conversational eCommerce”
The firm’s AI platform uses specialized chatbots to handle entire eCommerce journeys, from recommending products to seamless payments.
Dubai-based Popcorn AI has announced the closure of a pre-seed funding round that raised $500,000 for its revolutionary AI platform. The investment, led by Spring Studios with the backing of Salica Investments, Al Waha Fund of Funds, and prominent angel investors from Saudi Arabia, represents a key step forward in reshaping customer-business interactions using the power of conversational AI.
Unlike traditional chatbot systems, Popcorn AI’s platform is designed to redefine eCommerce by creating highly intelligent sales agents that handle entire customer journeys, from personalized product recommendations right through to seamless payment acceptance — all through a conversational experience.
The clever idea was recently tested to great success when one of Popcorn AI’s chatbot agents closed a $400,000 real estate transaction, handling everything from the first inquiry to the final sale. Early adopters have reported a massive 90% reduction in customer acquisition costs, along with a highly impressive 20% improvement in conversion rates, highlighting the platform’s potential to transform customer engagement across dozens of industries.
Josh Rodger, Principal at the Spring Studios fund, expressed enthusiasm for the project, saying, “We are proud to support Popcorn AI’s mission to reshape how businesses connect with their customers. Their innovative approach to conversational commerce has the potential to revolutionize industries and redefine the way customers experience digital transactions”.
Also Read: Top Free AI Chatbots Available In The Middle East
Meanwhile, Popcorn AI founder and CEO Yousef Al Arif declared: “The future of commerce is conversational,” adding, “Today’s consumers want shopping experiences that are instant, personalized, and effortless. We’re not building just another chatbot; we’re crafting intelligent commerce agents that understand context, recall customer preferences, and guide users through the entire shopping process, much like an expert salesperson would”.
Building upon a decade of experience scaling eCommerce and marketplace platforms across the MENA region, Al Arif has now achieved huge success with Popcorn AI, positioning the product at the cutting edge of AI-powered eCommerce. The platform has also made significant impacts in sectors such as real estate, and hospitality, signaling that conversational commerce is emerging as a powerful new model for digital businesses.
-
News2 weeks ago
Altegio Expands To UAE, Driving Digital Transformation For Local Businesses
-
News2 weeks ago
TerraPay & Suyool Offer Fast, Secure Money Transfers To Lebanon
-
News2 weeks ago
Galaxy Ring 2 May Launch Early As Apple Prepares Competing Device
-
News1 week ago
Google To Launch AI Hub In Saudi Arabia, Aiming For $71B GDP Boost