Related
Torch Mobile has released a new version of their Webkit based browser for Windows mobile.
The Iris browser:
http://msmobiles.com/news.php/7556.html
What are you thoughts of this so far? It's still beta I believe.
I like it. It has a added bonus, all sites made for Iphone now loads the iphone page instead of the normal mobile or standard site.
It's also faster then opera and pocket IE, and it supports keyboard shortcuts (more then you can say about Opera) if you have a keyboard that is.
Im a little confused, why would you want to load the ipony version? Surley they are scaled down to the much lower res of the ipony?
Does it support tap zoom-in/out and scrolling like Opera? What about flash where its on a normal website? And Java?
Monty Burns said:
Im a little confused, why would you want to load the ipony version? Surley they are scaled down to the much lower res of the ipony?
Does it support tap zoom-in/out and scrolling like Opera? What about flash where its on a normal website? And Java?
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Click to collapse
you act like having more options is a bad thing.
crazy talk said:
you act like having more options is a bad thing.
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Click to collapse
its not bad, its just pointless if it renders lower res and doesn't support the normal finger gestures (of which I honestly don't know, does it?).
I like this browser. A lot. I wish they'd work out some of the bugs though. On SP, you can enable the virtual mouse cursor (which is great!) but the hotkeys you can assign, for instance to zoom in and out don't work which is a pain.
jeonatl3 said:
I like this browser. A lot. I wish they'd work out some of the bugs though. On SP, you can enable the virtual mouse cursor (which is great!) but the hotkeys you can assign, for instance to zoom in and out don't work which is a pain.
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Click to collapse
Can you tell us if it supports finger browsing/swiping/gestures please?
I couldn't tell you as I only have a Smartphone! sorry.
It swipes and zooms like opera. It's a bit like the 6.5 version of PIE. It has a very nice graphical history. You can import PIE favorites, and it reads PIE cookies, which is very nice. It's on the slow side, though.
Thanks Ted, so Opera is still really the daddy then.
The iphone sites are often better then the "normal" mobile versions, for instance Iphone facebook is better then "mobile" facebook, also services like dropbox only has mobile pages for ihpone. Sure you can use the "desktop" version but that just make ajax/javascript heavy pages crash your browser.
Opera also dont work AT ALL on certain pages, all i get is a error, the same page with portable IE or IRIS works perfectly.
Also i dont like the proxy rendering browsers like opera mini or skyfire, I dont want to log on to passworded sites useing that - God knows who can snoop your personal info that way.
Sure, iris still need more work done in terms of usability (esp. on touchscreens) but still renders pages way faster then opera, webkit is realy a good renderer for portable units.
Hey guys some of you may remember way back earlier in the year a company called torch mobile launched a preview of their webkit browser called iris, it was a bit crap very buggy no real zoom etc etc most people wrote it off straight away.
Well now they have launched a proper beta and it has to be said its very impressive it has now got page overview zoom, mouse cursor, ability to import bookmarks and lots ofvother really quite kewl features.
It is a little slow to render pages, when compared to opera and is a memory hog but must say im quite liking it. not sure if flash works perhaps the experts in here may get it too work.
Anyhows just google torch mobile and you should be able to find the link to get it.
let me know what you guys think.
stevej26uk said:
let me know what you guys think.
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Click to collapse
Well, I spent the last couple of weeks comparing more or less all the available PPC browsers (IRIS, Opera 9.5 in different flavours, Opera mini, Opera mini with java addons, Netfront 3.5, Jataayu, Minimo, Skyfire and also IE addons such as PIE+, MultiIE, Webby etc.
I tested these on the road as well as at home, on WiFi as well as GPRS.
In the end I chucked them all except IRIS.
It basically has all I need (find in page, tabs, zoom, etc.) and runs very well on my Elf. It doesn't (yet) do inline videos like Skyfire does, but Skyfire is pretty useless otherwise.
Skyfire in many ways reminds me of a Java midlet like Opera Mini with pre-chewed pages. The advantage is that it doesn't cache pages on the PPC (just like Opera Mini). But it scores really low on usability and customisation
IRIS is similar in many ways to Netfront, but is open source and (so far) freeware. I also prefer the way IRIS zooms and has an option to present pages in one colums as defauls (rather than having to hit reflow in Netfront). NF visual bookmarks are pretty but rather useless. IRIS has a similar function for History, where it's much more useful. OTOH NF has loads of functions (including on-the-fly Japanese-to-English translation...) which may or may not be useful to you. And it's better at rendering non-Roman character content, such as Arabic or Hebrew pages than IRIS.
From PIE I only miss the possibility to search for bookmarks by typing the first letter of the bookmark title...
What I´d like to see in IRIS is more support for content, but the architecture with plugins will certainly take care of that. And extended copy and paste to page contents as well as in the address bar, as is currently the case.
Otherwise IRIS is my default browser and will stay that way.
Bernard
bfarkin said:
Well, I spent the last couple of weeks comparing more or less all the available PPC browsers (IRIS, Opera 9.5 in different flavours, Opera mini, Opera mini with java addons, Netfront 3.5, Jataayu, Minimo, Skyfire and also IE addons such as PIE+, MultiIE, Webby etc.
I tested these on the road as well as at home, on WiFi as well as GPRS.
In the end I chucked them all except IRIS.
It basically has all I need (find in page, tabs, zoom, etc.) and runs very well on my Elf. It doesn't (yet) do inline videos like Skyfire does, but Skyfire is pretty useless otherwise.
Skyfire in many ways reminds me of a Java midlet like Opera Mini with pre-chewed pages. The advantage is that it doesn't cache pages on the PPC (just like Opera Mini). But it scores really low on usability and customisation
IRIS is similar in many ways to Netfront, but is open source and (so far) freeware. I also prefer the way IRIS zooms and has an option to present pages in one colums as defauls (rather than having to hit reflow in Netfront). NF visual bookmarks are pretty but rather useless. IRIS has a similar function for History, where it's much more useful. OTOH NF has loads of functions (including on-the-fly Japanese-to-English translation...) which may or may not be useful to you. And it's better at rendering non-Roman character content, such as Arabic or Hebrew pages than IRIS.
From PIE I only miss the possibility to search for bookmarks by typing the first letter of the bookmark title...
What I´d like to see in IRIS is more support for content, but the architecture with plugins will certainly take care of that. And extended copy and paste to page contents as well as in the address bar, as is currently the case.
Otherwise IRIS is my default browser and will stay that way.
Bernard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the detailed comparison, I'll definitely link to it in my next story on Iris
I've had Iris installed since a very early public beta. I really wanted to like it. I love the browser on the iPhone. But Iris is still a memory hog, slow to render, and still crashes here and there.
Also, the overall design/layout if very amateurish. Some of the places they put options just don't make sense. Up until the latest beta, there wasn't even a way to go back to your home page.
Their favorite handling is just plan stupid. I want to scroll up and down to find the webpage I want to go to. What happens? I constantly ACCIDENTALLY move the favorite around instead of scrolling the list (which works sometimes but not consistently). Every version has gotten a little better, but it's nowhere close to a commercially viable product. PocketIE as old as it is renders most pages faster.
As a note, I view Mobile webpages when available and rarely go to desktop intended websites.
-Mc
Menneisyys said:
thanks for the detailed comparison, I'll definitely link to it in my next story on Iris
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Click to collapse
You're welcome, and I apologise for the typos - I did type in IRIS on my Elf virtual keyboard...
Bernard
McHale said:
I've had Iris installed since a very early public beta. I really wanted to like it. I love the browser on the iPhone. But Iris is still a memory hog, slow to render, and still crashes here and there.
Also, the overall design/layout if very amateurish. Some of the places they put options just don't make sense. Up until the latest beta, there wasn't even a way to go back to your home page.
Their favorite handling is just plan stupid. I want to scroll up and down to find the webpage I want to go to. What happens? I constantly ACCIDENTALLY move the favorite around instead of scrolling the list (which works sometimes but not consistently). Every version has gotten a little better, but it's nowhere close to a commercially viable product. PocketIE as old as it is renders most pages faster.
As a note, I view Mobile webpages when available and rarely go to desktop intended websites.
-Mc
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Click to collapse
Interesting.... I'm very pleased with the performance on the Elf, but I did move the cache to my SD card. I do find that it has improved since I did that. But maybe I'm just imagining things.
I agree about the bookmsrks and the somewhat haphazard menu item placement...
In order to avoid moving bookmarks around I do use the d-pad, but that is not really satisfactory. I also tend to use the URL auto fill-in. I wish you could do the same on the bookmark page, like in PIE.
Bernard
And I just found out that Skyfire does indeed cache pages on the device as well....
B.
I wasn't really impressed with the original couple betas of skyfire and would usually uninstall shortly after install, but now I'm using it more than Opera Mini which I was a big fan of. This page helped me give skyfire another chance:
http://blog.laptopmag.com/mobile-browser-showdown-iphone-3g-vs-opera-mobile-and-skyfire
Check out the performance stats!
Just wish they would incorporate tabs...
Oh yah, my biggest gripe: LET ME IMPORT MY IE FAVORITES!!!
-Mc
p.s. I'm still hoping that Iris gets to be almost as good as Mobile Safari.
McHale said:
Check out the performance stats!
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Click to collapse
Wow, that *is* impressive!
And yes, I also feel handicapped without tabs....
Bernard
it is available to download the version 1.0 of sky fire
IMO is much much better than the previus ones... any way i'm still waiting for the opera 9.7
thins is the info taht the sf team said
What’s new in 1.0?
•Thumbnail interaction. Now you can click on links immediately after the page loads without having to zoom in. This enhancement is especially helpful for high resolution phones, and for familiar sites where you know right away where you want to click. It makes getting to the content you want on the page simpler, quicker and more efficient.
•Improved zoom. Double-tap or double-click to zoom over any element, including links, images or videos. The zoom interaction is smoother and more responsive as well. Best of all: when you zoom in you will get readable text instantly.
•Enhanced navigation. When you navigate back or forward, you return to the last viewport (e.g. zoom level and portion of the page). This eliminates the need to pan and zoom into the section you were viewing on the previous page. Skyfire remembers the viewport even when you select a page from your history. We have also added shortcut keys, (9) for forward and (7) for backward navigation.
•Improved page handling. Enhancements have been made especially for AJAX-intensive sites such as Facebook and Gmail. When larger parts of the page get updated, the client will more quickly and accurately reflect this. In addition, now, we support full-width iFrames in Skyfire.
•Fast start. We changed both the sequence and behavior of the Skyfire launch so you get started as quickly as possible. You can type a search or URL in the Superbar while Skyfire is connecting in the background. You can put Skyfire to work before the start page is even loaded. Plus, we’ve improved connection performance.
•Reconnect to last state. When you leave Skyfire in the background Skyfire disconnects to preserve battery life. When you come back to Skyfire (after minutes, hours, days), it will reload the same page to the same zoom level and focus. You can continue right where you left off. When you exit and start again, Skyfire you will always land on the start page.
•Connection helper. There is a new mechanism to detect when connections cannot be established to Skyfire servers. If this is due to a network configuration (common in GSM land), then we provide suggestions to help out. This is especially useful if you are with a carrier/data plan that places restrictions on certain APN configurations, which interferes with Skyfire.
•Enhanced search results. Google results now include video, news articles, local results all blended on a single results page and ordered by relevance. Vertical search categories are still available.
•Improved RSS feed search. Find your favorite custom RSS feeds through the improved Add-Feed feature, found under the Customize menu on the start page. Search by site domain, feed URL, or even topical keywords.
•Easier sharing of RSS items from start page. We’ve exposed a simple “Share this article” link below each RSS story displayed on your start page to make it easier to share interesting items to your Twitter and Facebook.
•Remember last connection (Symbian only). Skyfire can now remember the last connection for you, so you will not have to choose a connection every single time. In addition, if you want to change the connection type while you are in Skyfire you can do so.
)
Thanks for the tip!
Just downloaded to my Alltel Touch Pro, thanks for the update! I visited the official home page of Skyfire, and they aren't making any waves on their site or even making clear note of this huge release? Anyway, can't wait to see if it's better than previous beta versions! I am still waiting for Fennec!!!
It's really nice but only problem is it takes up more memory then the previous versions.
segadc said:
It's really nice but only problem is it takes up more memory then the previous versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh boy... now my Skyfire wont play any videos on hulu or elsewhere, yet the browser works everywhere else. I have an HTC Touch Pro, I did a hard reset and still no luck... any ideas?
skyfire 1.0 same old same old
try mach 5 browser real vga resolution for people with touch pro
http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=67780
that's how skyfire 1.0 should have been
ATT-Half said:
skyfire 1.0 same old same old
try mach 5 browser real vga resolution for people with touch pro
http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=67780
that's how skyfire 1.0 should have been
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Click to collapse
Mach-5? Never heard of it, did it come out in a stable version before Skyfire? Does it support flash video? I wonder what the issue is with my HTC Touch Pro no longer being able to play flash video on Hulu through Skyfire anymore with version 1.0, even though the internet works fine???
Bizzump...
Excited about Opera Mobile coming out with Flash support...
Once Opera Mobile and Fennec are (both) released, won't they dominate everything else entirely? (As in, no need for Skyfire or anything else)
+ 1 for opera mobile even in actual version 9.5 with no flash!
And with the upcomming 9.7 will be the best browser!
orb3000 said:
+ 1 for opera mobile even in actual version 9.5 with no flash!
And with the upcomming 9.7 will be the best browser!
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Click to collapse
Makes me drool the prospect of this version coming out if even the out dated Opera that was baked into my HTC Touch Pro from the factory is LIGHT YEARS ahead of anything else is sheer usability!
Is there any loose time frame on this release of 9.7 with Flash, or is it all speculation at this point???
ATT-Half said:
skyfire 1.0 same old same old
try mach 5 browser real vga resolution for people with touch pro
http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=67780
that's how skyfire 1.0 should have been
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhhh, drats!
I don't know if it was something I did, or maybe it was the wrong download link... but from the company home page that developed Mach5, I downloaded the appropriate VGA .cab to my Touch Pro, and although it seemed to work flawlessly, somehow what I had downloaded was a "trial" and worse of all, it was almost all in Japanese!?!?
I couldn't even access streaming video over at Hulu due to the "Hulu only streams content within the United States." HUH? Maybe I missed something...
Has anyone else had this problem?
1. Mach5 looked VERY GOOD (much better than Skyfire, which I ONLY USE exclusively for hulu) but... IS IT STILL FREE?
2. Is Mach5 available for download that will not trip up websites thinking it is an overseas phone or browser program?
While (as of today, a month after it being demoed at MWC for the press) there still isn’t any sign of the native iPhone version of one of the best Web browsers, Opera Mini, in the AppStore, the Opera folks don’t seem to have stopped with porting their browser into other platforms. In addition to the iPhone, there’s also a brand new Windows Mobile version released just two days after my publishing my previous news report on Windows Mobile browsers. (Please see the quick review of the Java version HERE)
Downloading, installing
Download it from HERE. The installer is WM5+ only and runs just fine on the iPAQ 210 (without the SMS / Phone DLL hacks.)
Pros / cons compared to the Java version
Pros:
- Visibly faster than the Java version
- Direct text copy to the system clipboard – no need to temporarily copy the selected and, then, copied text to any native text input area, as opposed to the Java version
- For a newbie, much easier to install than the Java version. (Although, with the latter, the custom third-party distributions with a pre-bundled Jbed JVM work just fine and are very beginner-friendly.)
Cons:
- The initial Opera Link synchronization throws an exception; however, it synchronized my mobile bookmarks just OK.
- There is no custom “smallest” character size – only three of them are available. They, however, are large enough on (W)VGA devices.
- While, as a native app, it could be invoked via an extension / type association (see my earlier articles / tutorials on this), by default, Opera Mini doesn’t allow the user to explicitly set up this, unlike, say, Opera Mobile. (I don’t know if the app indeed supports being invoked together with the link – haven’t had the time to test this in the Registry. Hopefully it is.)
Note that it, just like the Java version, doesn’t support italic characters either. It has, as with the Java version, has huge, easy-to-tap-with-finger drop-down lists – unlike, for example, NetFront 4.0. (Of course, they aren’t as nice as those on the iPhone, though.)
The native version uses the system-level keyboard, not the custom one of Opera Mini. This may be disadvantageous for people wanting to have a finger-only keyboard but refusing to install a third-party, large one. Nevertheless, I don’t list this as a disadvantage as, on Windows Mobile, it has always been preferable to have a system-level keyboard than a custom one - with all the niceties (seamless auto-completion, all keys etc.) By the way, with the address input field, the traditional keyboard shortcuts for quick text highlight (Ctl-A) / copy / paste don’t work. This could be fixed in a future version – as has also been done with Opera Mobile, back in 2006.
Memory usage
HERE (the official thread dedicated to the app) some people reported much better memory usage than with the Java version. I’ve pretty thoroughly tested this with my standard test pages (see THIS and THIS; more info on the test method in my past Web browser testing-related articles). Both versions were able to load several instances of these pages. (I’ve tested this to 19 with the native version and to some 6 with the Java one. The native version takes up about 520 kbytes of memory for each loaded test page, which is about one-tenth of the figure of other Web browsers.) Unlike on the BlackBerry, where 4.0 has a tendency to quickly run out of memory and, therefore, can’t really keep many pages in-memory at the same time – at least on the BB 8800 with the latest – official – firmware version.
Backspace Problem
when i hit the backspace key while entering text, it erases everything. I wrote a long email reply and when I hit backspace lost the whole thing. Seems like a pretty serious bug. Same thing apparently happened with an early blackberry version, but they fixed it. Any work-around?
I am extremely happy that Opera decided to make Mini native (I always thought Opera Mini was the best mobile browser available), but I will wait for Opera Mini 5 to leave beta before trying it.
I wonder why you guys like the new Opera mini? It's less usable than Opera mobile 10, because it's scrolling isn't much smooth (at least on my Touch HD). And Opera mobile 10 is less usable than Opera mobile 9.7, because of less settings, no option to change default page, ugly tabs, ugly animations wasting my time, no precise vertical scrolling (I mean when I scroll down, the page moves a bit to right/left) and no instant access to my taskbar (remember 9.7 where you tap the bottom-right icon to switch from fullscreen and you instantly see adress bar AND the taskbar? not anymore here). And I could continue, Opera mobile 10 and Opera mini 5 = useless crap. Opera mobile 9.7 = best mobile browser.
EDIT: Tell me, guys, what makes you use Opera mini 5/mobile 10? I just don't find anything positive on it and I'd like to know what makes it the best browser.
ZaxXx said:
I wonder why you guys like the new Opera mini? It's less usable than Opera mobile 10, because it's scrolling isn't much smooth (at least on my Touch HD). And Opera mobile 10 is less usable than Opera mobile 9.7, because of less settings, no option to change default page, ugly tabs, ugly animations wasting my time, no precise vertical scrolling (I mean when I scroll down, the page moves a bit to right/left) and no instant access to my taskbar (remember 9.7 where you tap the bottom-right icon to switch from fullscreen and you instantly see adress bar AND the taskbar? not anymore here). And I could continue, Opera mobile 10 and Opera mini 5 = useless crap. Opera mobile 9.7 = best mobile browser.
EDIT: Tell me, guys, what makes you use Opera mini 5/mobile 10? I just don't find anything positive on it and I'd like to know what makes it the best browser.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I imagine many will have the same reason it's so much faster than Opera Mobile "any version"
For me even with the not so great scrolling it's so much faster to load the page i need... Has the fast dial so very page i need again very fast to choose..
Many of us also have limited data so that'll be another reason.
stylez said:
I imagine many will have the same reason it's so much faster than Opera Mobile "any version"
For me even with the not so great scrolling it's so much faster to load the page i need... Has the fast dial so very page i need again very fast to choose..
Many of us also have limited data so that'll be another reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would agree with Stylez on this....I use it for the speed
Using Opera Mini 5 Beta 2 on WM6 and loving it! Skyfire is now uninstalled
How do I make it my default browser? My RSS readers keep opening up IE.
Stock Browser
Not much to say about this browser. This browser comes with the phone and is not on the play store.
Dolphin Browser
PROS
Intuitive interface. Supports LastPass password manager, Evernote, screengrab taker. Syncs to Google bookmarks. Supports voice- or gesture-based navigation.
CONS
No desktop version. Slower than stock Android browser.
BOTTOM LINE
Dolphin Browser 8.8 isn't the fastest Android browser in Google Play, but the latest version retains its Editors' Choice designation for balancing performance with a thoughtful collection of mobile add-ons.
Credits: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2383132,00.asp - More information about Dolphin Browser here.
Opera Web Browser
PROS
Clean interface. Flash support. Opera Link syncs bookmarks, Speed Dials, search engines. Scrolls "like butter."
CONS
No Add-ons. Separate search, URL fields a cavalier use of mobile real estate.
BOTTOM LINE
Although it cannot be customized to the degree of Dolphin or Firefox, Opera 11 is a svelte mobile browser with full-throated multimedia support.
Credits: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2383239,00.asp - More information about Opera Web Browser here.
Skyfire
Interface
The interface itself is clean and familiar. The new social buttons seem to load up with slight lag. The twitter social but did not recognize me the second time I loaded it but the facebook remembered me so it might be a cookie issue. Other than that transitions and menus is fluid and everything else just work beautiful and it is just so nice. You will be up and running with this browser in no time if you are coming from different browsers.
Performance
I usually click a lot of links in twitter that takes me to website that take a while to load especially in dolphin browser mini. but Skyfire browser loaded up those usual pages in lightning quick speed. One site in particular that I visit often is Android Central and it usually takes longer with my previous browsers. Skyfire cut that loading time in nearly half. I must also point out that I am using Verizon 4g lte and that is why most sites load faster, your results may vary. Pages also render very quickly thus giving the illusion that everything is just faster.
Functionality
The app functions as a browser should; it takes you to websites the user directs it to. The difference here is that it does it better. I didn’t crunch any numbers to compare load times with other browsers, but it’s exponentially faster based on my experience with the stock Android browser, Dolphin Browser HD, Dolphin Browser Mini, and Mozilla Firefox Web Browser. The app itself is a bit heavy, and feels like all these features slow down the app itself, but not the browsing. Switching tabs, and user agents is pretty slick, and the app does it’s best to make everything quicker by laying out many shortcuts to help you out. I do wish the initial app load time was as quick as Dolphin Browser Mini, but by the time that app loads and then loads a page, it’s just about the same with Skyfire.
Credits: http://androidappreviewdaily.wordpress.com/2011/04/23/skyfire-4-0-4222011/ - More information about Skyfire browser here
Maxthon
Mention the word "mobile browser," and most people will think that you are going to start talking about the likes of Opera Mini, Opera Mobile, Skyfire or the mobile avatars of Chrome and Firefox, or maybe even some of the very good default browsers installed on some phones and tablets (such as the versions of Safari and Internet Explorer on iOS and Windows Phone devices). But there are other browsers in the mobile world as well and some of them every bit as good and in some regards even better than these worthies. And one of the very best is Maxthon.
Tech veterans will be familiar with Maxthon which started out as a desktop browser and has since also come out with mobile versions for Android devices (both phones and tablets). The browser is available for free download from Google Play. It works with all Android devices running version 1.6 and above and at about 2MB is not the heaviest around. However, it is when you start using the browser that you get an idea of what's so special about it.
Maxthon's interface is on the stark side - the launch screen will show you a row of icons linked to some popular websites, giving you one touch access to them. You can of course add to or subtract from the list, depending on your inclination. In a very neat touch, the browser comes with an App Center that gives you access to shortcuts to a number of popular websites classified according to subject - all you need to do is check the ones you want on your launch screen. You can also simply add sites by just entering their URLs Tabs are arranged neatly at the top of the browser window and the navigation toolbar at the bottom is relatively unpopulated with just forward, back, home, boomark, other options and full screen icons. The app has no ads whatsoever and best of all, browsing seems to be incredibly brisk, especially as compared to some of the other browsers we have seen.
Beneath this relatively interface are lurking a number of very powerful features. There is a download manager, support for gestures (write a 'C' on the screen to close a tab), the ability to sync bookmarks between the desktop version of the browser and its mobile avatar, to select and copy text and images, to share links across social networks, and in a vey neat touch, the option to view a web page as it would be rendered on a desktop, on Android, and even on an iPhone or an iPad. You can customise the look and feel of the browser by using themes and if you are the types that likes messing around with add-ons, there is a fair collection of them as well, including ones that let you take screenshots, read RSS feeds, kill tasks, look at missed calls and so on.
The best part of Maxthon is, however its relatively clean interface and speed. At no stage do you feel overwhelmed or confused by options. In fact, this is the kind of browser that one can simply start using in the most basic manner and then slowly start discovering new features. Its earlier editions were a tad buggy but recent updates have proved to be more solid. It looks simple, packs in lots of features, works incredibly fast, and it costs nothing. If you have an Android device and have not at least tried Maxthon for browsing the Web, you have missed out one of the best mobile browsing experiences you can have. It is the default browser on our Motorola Xoom and Desire HD already.
Credits: http://news.efytimes.com/e1/Daily App Review Maxthon Browser Android/82894 - More information on Maxthon here.
Firefox
Choice in browsers has been an integral part in the history of computing. Mozilla has been at the heart of the push for choice in browsers from its inception out of Netscape to the introduction of Firefox in 2004. Since 2004, Mozilla has been dedicated to giving users a choice in browsers not only on the desktop, but on mobile.
The latest version of Firefox for Android, available in Google Play today, comes in the midst of heavy competition in browsers for Android with Dolphin HD, Opera Mobile, Opera Mini, and Firefox each having been downloaded more than ten million times. Perhaps even more dauntingly, Google is in the process of making Chrome the default browser in Android. Chrome made headlines in the last six weeks as it surpassed Internet Explorer to become the most used browser internationally on desktops. Mozilla is keenly aware that by developing Firefox for Android they are competing with Google in a way that is much less obvious on the desktop.
Credits: http://www.droid-life.com/2012/06/26/review-firefox-for-android/ - More information on Firefox here.
Chrome
PROS
Fast. Streamlined interface. Easy navigation. Voice search. Excellent tab implementation. Quickly syncs between all platforms and devices.
CONS
Requires Android 4.0 and higher. No Flash. No plug-ins.
BOTTOM LINE
Chrome first full release on Android is a speed demon of a browser, combining a minimalist interface with advanced HTML 5 support.
Credits: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2406535,00.asp - More information on Chrome here.
Nice information! But chrome does support incognito mode which I assume you mean by safe browsing mode.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
shimp208 said:
Nice information! But chrome does support incognito mode which I assume you mean by safe browsing mode.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure, if you would want to investigate there is credits below and make sure to vote!
google chrome = lag city
my favourite browser speed wise is samsung galaxy s3 browser.
though overall (better tab multi task) stock android browser
boat browser ftw!
Chrome doesn't lag at all in my galaxy s3
Dolphin Browser with Dolphin Engine (beta) is, at least in my opinion, the fastest browser around. Except for maybe Opera Mini, but that one doesn't count . It has all the good things about Dolphin, themes, plugins, gestures etc. Gestures takes some time to get used to, but now that I remember them, I use them a whole lot. I like the interface a lot, the bookmark bar on the left is really useful, though on my old HTC Hero I had to disable it cause I made it expand a whole lot on that tiny screen. Not a problem on my One S. I kind of miss Chrome tab sync, but Chrome to phone is okay. Overall I would say it is by far the best android browser (even the Dolphin browser on Play Store doesn't compare)
Edit: found out the beta is on the market as well: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dolphin.browser.lab.en
I've been back and forth with chrome and dolphin although a feature I don't like about chrome is once you leave the app and once you open it again your tabs are still open. I usually forget to close which can get annoying but for some people this is a great feature.
Bump .
Bump .
Chrome does great Work.
Cheers.