Microsoft updates Edge Browser to fix Scroll Jank

Microsoft has updated the status on “Scroll Jank” issue and it will be fixed in the upcoming Windows Insider Build. The new Edge 17 update will be bundled with the upcoming Windows Insider release and will carry the fix for the issue.

For those who don’t know about Scroll Jank, it is when a computer can’t keep pace with a user scrolling down a web page. Users scroll or swipe, but the page stutters or jumps. Apparently, Microsoft Edge had this issue for some time now and the company has finally fixed the issue. Microsoft Program Manager, Scott Low explains Scroll Jank as,

Microsoft Edge also utilizes PTPs to enable back/forward swipe and to enhance users’ scrolling experience via off-thread (aka independent) scrolling. Since PTP input is processed differently by the input stack in Windows 10, we wanted to ensure that we took advantage of this and that we gave users a scrolling experience that felt as natural as their experience with touchscreens everywhere on the web. However, the web has traditionally had a bit of a design flaw when it comes to scrolling, in the form of scroll jank — that ‘glitchy’ feeling that the page is stuck, and not keeping up with your finger while you’re scrolling.

Below is the video explaining Scroll Jank.

Microsoft is fixing the issue by using the technology called as Precision Touch Pad (PTP) Pointer Events. The company hopes this will fix the issue and will enhance the overall User Experience. Microsoft Edge Program Manager, Scott Low also suggested developers move to the new PTP for better experience,

If you have not yet implemented Pointer Event support, we strongly recommend you check out the MDN documentation for Pointer Events to prepare your site for the modern web. Pointer Events are available on Internet Explorer 11, Microsoft Edge, and Google Chrome and are in development in Firefox.

The update for Edge Browser will be live with the next Insider Release. Microsoft notes that developers don’t need to take any action and PTP should work without any problem. For others, the new Edge Update will ship with the next major release of Windows 10.

Source: Windows Blog; Via: The Register