Adobe and Microsoft have partnered to integrate the Adobe Acrobat PDF engine directly into the Edge browser, replacing the existing built-in PDF reader. Adobe says that this will give users multiple benefits such as more accurate colours and graphics, improved performance, strong security for PDF handling, and greater accessibility. While the Adobe engine will be free to use, users who want more advanced digital document features such as the ability to edit text and images and convert PDFs to other formats can purchase an Acrobat subscription. Users with existing subscriptions can use the Acrobat extension with all features unlocked at no extra cost. Since organisations need time to test the PDF engine with documents used in their operations, the transition to the Adobe Acrobat PDF engine will occur in phases. There will also be an initial opt-in option for managed devices. Meanwhile, the legacy Edge PDF solution will be retired from Edge completely in March 2024. This isn’t the first product to come out of a Microsoft and Adobe partnership. Adobe PDF and e-sign integrations are already present across several Microsoft solutions like Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and others. “PDF is essential for modern business, accelerating productivity in a world where automation and collaboration are more critical than ever,” said Ashley Still, SVP and GM, Adobe. “By bringing the global standard in PDF experience to Microsoft Edge and the billion-plus Windows users worldwide, Adobe and Microsoft are using our joint heritage and expertise in productivity to take an important step forward in making modern, secure, and connected work and life a reality.” On a similar note, Microsoft has also partnered with OpenAI to bring AI capabilities to Edge, alongside updating the browser’s UI. These updates should also be rolled out soon, although Microsoft is yet to provide a definitive date.
