Microsoft Edge Apps

Hello,

I am using Microsoft Edge as my main browser. It has a feature that allows user to install a web application as an app. This app then can be used in a dedicated window without the general browser interface creating a more immersive feel and using better the screen space as there is no address line and all the buttons for user interface or functions of the browser, as only essentials are in the top line of the window.

But there is a small issue with that if we consider RescueTime tracking. RescueTime is unable to recognize the app correctily as there is no address line, and the web application running as app has only its title in the title of the window. Then RescueTime identifies the window as Microsoft Edge Browser.

As example I would use Gmail, which I have installed as an app. Because it is not recognized by RescueTime when running as Microsoft Edge app as Gmail, it does not categorize the time spent in the app properly. If I would approach Gmail in standard browser window, it would categorize it properly as email based on the web address. But web address is hidden in dedicated app window.

In the title of the window there is information about the web site, like it would be in the descripton of the tab open in browser, so there can be a way how to identify and flag these Edge Browser apps properly. The title of the window or page has to be taken instead of the hidden web address.

Currently I switched on tracking of document titles for Microsoft Edge thus have the information about which apps were opened in app windows but I have to categorize them manually. For Gmail I use the summary for Edge Browser and filter out the activities containing Gmail in the title and categorize them as email manually. Similarly I do with YouTube or ChatGPT

So practically it would probably work if RescueTime checks the title of the document opened in Microsof Edge, and based on key words categorizes it. in case there is no address line For example Gmail app the title starts with “Gmail”, for ChatGPT app it starts with “ChatGPT” and so on.

I know this is probably not so broadly used browser feature, but if the implementation would not be too difficult, it would be nice to consider adding a tracking method for Microsoft Edge apps. It may be useful for some other apps as well in the future.