Microsoft Edge mobile adds multi-tab summarization, podcast generation, and browsing history recall via Copilot

Microsoft has shipped six Copilot-powered features to Edge mobile, bringing desktop AI capabilities to iOS and Android devices in version 148 and higher, according to Edge product VP Sean Lyndersay.

Multi-tab summarization and Journeys

The flagship feature allows users to request summaries or answers across all open tabs simultaneously. Previously, users had to switch between tabs individually. The feature activates through the Copilot icon on the new tab page.

The Journeys feature tracks research topics across browsing sessions, displaying the most recent topic on the new tab page. Users must manually enable it through Settings > Copilot and AI > Enable Journeys.

Content generation capabilities

Edge mobile now generates podcasts from web pages or multiple open tabs. After requesting podcast creation, the system takes "a few minutes" to process before delivering playback controls including 10-second skip functions.

The Study and Learn mode creates interactive multiple-choice quizzes from web page content. Users trigger this by typing "Quiz me on this topic" at the Copilot prompt.

Browsing history integration

Copilot can now access browsing history and previous chat conversations to continue discussions about earlier topics. This feature, new to both mobile and desktop versions, allows contextual follow-ups without manually referencing past sessions.

Additional features

The update includes a redesigned new tab page with quick access icons for frequently visited sites, customizable through an Add button. Copilot Vision enables users to share their current screen and ask questions about displayed content.

Microsoft also added an AI writing assistant for users "stuck for the right words," though specific implementation details were not disclosed.

Technical requirements

All features require Edge mobile version 148 or higher on iOS or Android. Some features like Journeys require manual activation in settings before becoming available.

What this means

Microsoft is consolidating its Copilot strategy across platforms, bringing parity between desktop and mobile Edge. The multi-tab summarization addresses a genuine workflow inefficiency in mobile browsing where tab switching is more cumbersome than on desktop. However, the podcast generation's "few minutes" processing time suggests local generation is not yet viable, likely relying on cloud processing. The browsing history integration raises privacy considerations, though Microsoft has not disclosed how long this data is retained or whether it's used for model training.