Microsoft Edge's New Shopping Assistant Does the Deal-Hunting For You

Imagine browsing your favorite online store when suddenly your browser whispers: "Psst—this jacket was $20 cheaper last week." That's essentially what Microsoft's latest Edge update delivers through its new AI shopping tools.

How It Works

The upgraded Copilot sidebar transforms passive browsing into active deal-finding:

• Instant price comparisons across retailers
• Price history graphs showing if today's "sale" is genuine
• Automatic drop alerts when products hit target prices

Just click the Copilot icon while viewing any product page. The system identifies items automatically—no manual searches required.

Smarter Than Your Average Browser

The real game-changer? Copilot Mode, which proactively underlines better deals as you scroll through shopping sites. It's like having a bargain-savvy friend looking over your shoulder.

"We're eliminating the tedious tab-switching between stores," explains Microsoft's retail tech lead Sarah Chen. "Now your browser surfaces savings opportunities naturally within your shopping flow."

Availability and Privacy Notes

The features:

• Currently U.S.-only (global expansion expected)
• Fully opt-in through Edge settings
• Process all data locally—no shopping history sent to servers

The Bigger Picture: AI Arms Race in E-Commerce

The update comes as OpenAI launches ChatGPT Shopping, specializing in personalized product research. Together, these moves show tech giants betting big on AI as commerce's next frontier.

"We're moving beyond simple search," observes retail analyst Mark Lipton. "The winners will be platforms that anticipate shopping needs before users articulate them."

Key Points:

• Edge shoppers can now access price tracking without plugins
• Historical pricing data helps identify genuine discounts
• U.S. rollout first, with other markets likely to follow
• Part of broader trend of AI-powered shopping assistants