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Hi,
i just would like to know, what are the big differences between the web browsers (Opera, Opera Mini, Skyfire) ?
I am trying to find the browser that is most suited for my needs. I bet there's a lot of people who are wondering the same. So please, come someone enlighten us (me).
just a general note. you should try all browsers and then see as browser comfort is usually individual.
as of today i'd choose either the latest edition of Opera 9.5 or Skyfire... but for the sake of comparison.
Opera Mini is very fast and stable and is java based.. but doesn't have all the features the new browsers such as Opera 9.5 and Skyfire have.
Opera 9.5 is greatlooking and supports direct flash and has a fine comfortable interface.
Skyfire has a few options for browsing.. such as using a Mouse pointer to move across the page or sweep your finger to move the page. also it has a very comfortable home page which i use constantly with weather reports and google search. it also has a very fast loading time.
one major difference between opera and skyfire is the fact that skyfire supports most languages without having to use special language packs.
Internet Explorer sucks ass.
Netfront is great.. not as fast as the others but is very multilingual and has some new options.. you should look it up in google to see what it offers.
nir36 said:
just a general note. you should try all browsers and then see as browser comfort is usually individual.
as of today i'd choose either the latest edition of Opera 9.5 or Skyfire... but for the sake of comparison.
Opera Mini is very fast and stable and is java based.. but doesn't have all the features the new browsers such as Opera 9.5 and Skyfire have.
Opera 9.5 is greatlooking and supports direct flash and has a fine comfortable interface.
Skyfire has a few options for browsing.. such as using a Mouse pointer to move across the page or sweep your finger to move the page. also it has a very comfortable home page which i use constantly with weather reports and google search. it also has a very fast loading time.
one major difference between opera and skyfire is the fact that skyfire supports most languages without having to use special language packs.
Internet Explorer sucks ass.
Netfront is great.. not as fast as the others but is very multilingual and has some new options.. you should look it up in google to see what it offers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow, great..thnx for the info
but i got difficulty to download skyfire. it doesnt support for my country phone number
I knew i wasnt the only one that would be helped ! =)
Thanks a lot!
I will try Skyfire, and if i'm not satisfied, i will go for Opera (but i wonder if Opera Mini could be fine).
You also forgot about one VERY important thing - both Opera Mini and Skyfire use server-side processing: the phone sends all information to opera's or skyfire's server, the server downloads the page as a normal browser would, then strips it of unnecessary data, resizes pictures, compresses the page and then sends it to your device.
So everything you browse, and all the data you send, including passwords is not exchanged directly with the target website, but instead goes trough a third party server. Of course all server-device communications are encrypted, but still i don't encourage using these browsers for sensitive data like banking or shopping using your credit card information. This might be a bit paranoid, but considering how internet looks like today, paranoia is a rather healthy thing
Besides, there were already cases where browser used incorrectly made all the encryption useless: when opera (and probably skyfire too) is started for the first time, it generates a random key to encrypt data and identify your device. But when opera is cooked into ROM or made into CAB installer after this key has been generated, the server recognizes every device using this version as the same one. So if person A logs into a email account and then person B (using the same broken opera install with the same key) goes to this email website - he'll see he's already logged in as person A and can see all of his/her e-mails.
Of course this doesn't happen often (actually i know of only one such accident and the faulty opera was quickly removed from ROM) but still - better safe than sorry.
However, the advantage of these browsers is that they're really fast - all the hard work is done on the server so our devices don't need to do any html/css/javascript/etc interpreting and only have to draw the simplified version of website (opera mini) or something like a screenshot of the website (skyfire) sent by the server. And since the data sent to the device is compressed, they both use much less bandwidth than conventional browsers which is important on cellular connections where you usually pay for transmitted data quantity.
On the other hand, Opera Mobile (all versions), NetFront, Pocket Internet Explorer (which really sucks) are _real_ browsers, like the one on your PC - they communicate with websites directly. But they also have to do all the processing and interpreting, not only drawing so they're noticeably slower than Opera Mini and Skyfire. Also, they usually download all website content and transferred data is uncompressed so they use up much more bandwidth.
Generally, i prefer to use Opera Mini for general web browsing, forums, etc. But for sensitive data (shopping, banking, e-mail), or when bandwidth is not a concern (on a wifi connection) i tend to stick with Opera Mobile or NetFront.
Of these two browsers, Opera 9.5 gives a bit nicer and more finger-friendly user interface. But this requires quite a lot of memory and processing power to work smoothly, so it's almost unusable on low memory devices like Wizard.
NetFront has much simpler UI, closer to one seen in pocketIE and while it doesn't look as impressive an Opera's, it works much better on slower and low memory phones. Since they're both in open beta testing stage, it's best to download and try both to see which one you like more.
mr_deimos said:
You also forgot about one VERY important thing - both Opera Mini and Skyfire use server-side processing: the phone sends all information to opera's or skyfire's server, the server downloads the page as a normal browser would, then strips it of unnecessary data, resizes pictures, compresses the page and then sends it to your device.
So everything you browse, and all the data you send, including passwords is not exchanged directly with the target website, but instead goes trough a third party server. Of course all server-device communications are encrypted, but still i don't encourage using these browsers for sensitive data like banking or shopping using your credit card information. This might be a bit paranoid, but considering how internet looks like today, paranoia is a rather healthy thing
Besides, there were already cases where browser used incorrectly made all the encryption useless: when opera (and probably skyfire too) is started for the first time, it generates a random key to encrypt data and identify your device. But when opera is cooked into ROM or made into CAB installer after this key has been generated, the server recognizes every device using this version as the same one. So if person A logs into a email account and then person B (using the same broken opera install with the same key) goes to this email website - he'll see he's already logged in as person A and can see all of his/her e-mails.
Of course this doesn't happen often (actually i know of only one such accident and the faulty opera was quickly removed from ROM) but still - better safe than sorry.
However, the advantage of these browsers is that they're really fast - all the hard work is done on the server so our devices don't need to do any html/css/javascript/etc interpreting and only have to draw the simplified version of website (opera mini) or something like a screenshot of the website (skyfire) sent by the server. And since the data sent to the device is compressed, they both use much less bandwidth than conventional browsers which is important on cellular connections where you usually pay for transmitted data quantity.
On the other hand, Opera Mobile (all versions), NetFront, Pocket Internet Explorer (which really sucks) are _real_ browsers, like the one on your PC - they communicate with websites directly. But they also have to do all the processing and interpreting, not only drawing so they're noticeably slower than Opera Mini and Skyfire. Also, they usually download all website content and transferred data is uncompressed so they use up much more bandwidth.
Generally, i prefer to use Opera Mini for general web browsing, forums, etc. But for sensitive data (shopping, banking, e-mail), or when bandwidth is not a concern (on a wifi connection) i tend to stick with Opera Mobile or NetFront.
Of these two browsers, Opera 9.5 gives a bit nicer and more finger-friendly user interface. But this requires quite a lot of memory and processing power to work smoothly, so it's almost unusable on low memory devices like Wizard.
NetFront has much simpler UI, closer to one seen in pocketIE and while it doesn't look as impressive an Opera's, it works much better on slower and low memory phones. Since they're both in open beta testing stage, it's best to download and try both to see which one you like more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you're right. my bad.
Incredible. Thanks for the update.
You guys @ XDA need a real THUMBS UP. Thanks for the fast answers, i hope that this will help a couple of users who we're wondering the same thing as I.
=)
That settles it. I'll try Skyfire & Opera Mini and find out wich one i like the most (since i don't use my cell phone for private use (banking & shopping) but more for browsing (forums & other).
YOU GUYS ROCKS!
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
Click to expand...
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!
Click to expand...
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?
This review is just based on July 2010 situation, when Opera Mini 5.0 final and BOLT 2.1 are released, UC Browser (UCWEB) version 7.2 is officially released as well. All this comparison is based on my own experience. The purpose is to introduce you the alternative choice for mobile internet surfing.
Scale used (points)
1. Feature is missing.
2. Feature exists but implementation is poor.
3. Implementation of the feature is adequate.
4. Feature is well implemented, aka it's good.
5. Implementation of the feature is excellent.
OS Supported
Bolt 2p
Opera Mini 4p
UC Browser 3p
Bolt is a Java ME based mobile browser, its rendering and processing is restricted by the Java MIDP 2, especially in Symbian and WM OS.
Except Java based version, Opera mini could support Blackberry/Windows mobile/Android.
To UC Browser, exclude the generic Java version, the dedicated Symbian/Blackberry/Windows mobile/iPhone/Android version is all available
But is it too much and complex for the user to download? Whatever, more choice is better.
Speed and traffic cost
Bolt 4p
Opera Mini 4.5p
UC Browser 5p
Bolt Opera Mini UC Browser
BBC.COM 7.8s 5s 4.5s
Traffic 700K 320Kb 251k
Opera mini and UC browser is based on proxy server-to-client architecture, the speed and traffic cost is much better than Bolt.
With the same architecture, it seems that the UC browser compressed more than Opera mini, But the high speed and less traffic UC gained is at cost of page quality loss.
Please see the rendering comparison below. At least, according to the speed and traffic volume tested , UC browser is the winner.
Bookmarks favorites
Bolt 5p
Opera Mini 4p
UC Browser 4p
Here are only assessed the simplicity and efficiency how bookmarks can be arranged on client side, not the possible synchronizations tools.
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Managing bookmarks on Bolt 2 is quite simple. Bookmarks are displayed on start page for easy access. Folders can be used, and what is best is the possibility to arrange bookmarks and folders. Therefore it is actually possible to do the same as on Opera Mini: show few "speed dials" at first and then all the rest in folders. Access is easy thanks to #0 key shortcut.
Bookmark folders are finally implemented on Opera Mini 5 as well. However, bookmarks and folders can't be arranged, but they are in alphabetical order. Access to bookmarks is under menu, so several steps (clicks or finger moves) have to be taken to use bookmarks. User can however, create nine speed dials on start page. Unfortunately only small thumb nail images are displayed for speed dials. In case you have two exactly similar speed dials for the same Web site, you can only rely on your memory to distinguish them. Using speed dials and bookmarks are made simple and easy especially for touch screen phones, but this turns into disadvantage on non-touch screen devices.
Using bookmarks on UC Browser 7.2 is somewhat similar as on Bolt 2. Bookmarks can be rearranged and organized into folders. Access to bookmarks is almost just as simple as on Bolt. The bookmark can be synchronized and backup both from/to local mobile phone and server. You could share your bookmark both by SMS and Bluetooth.
Cookie and password manager
Bolt 5p
Opera Mini 5p
UC Browser 5p
Saving passwords and using cookies is possible on Bolt 2. Keeping passwords saved is very useful since some sites just does not seem to keep login cookies saved. All private information can be cleared at once.
Opera Mini 5 gives possibility to save passwords and keep the cookies, just like Bolt 2. There's separate settings to clear passwords and cookies.
There's no password manager on UC Browser 7.2 but cookies are saved. There is a option to clear the cookies as well
Download and upload manager
Bolt 3p
Opera Mini 4p
UC Browser 5p
Downloading and uploading works somewhat fine on Bolt 2. No special or highlights in Bolt
Downloading and uploading files on Opera Mini 5 works as well. Currently there is some server issues because uploading fails sometimes, and it has to be started again.
Some People keep on claiming UC Browser has the best file manager on J2ME browsers. According to my experience this time, it is much better than the others.
Fast speed, resume broken downloads, maximum 9 concurrent download tasks, maximum 3 downloading tasks, manually default download folder setting, and etc…
All files downloaded even deleted are remembered in download manager, so once you re-download it again, the system will remind you so that you could save your time and traffic.
Select, copy and paste text
Bolt 3p
Opera Mini 4p
UC Browser 4p
Select, copy and paste text works adequately on Bolt 2. Personally I find the Bolt's "select box" cumbersome and inaccurate.
In Opera Mini 5, complete new and improved tools to select, copy and paste text were introduced. Selecting text works almost as it does on desktop browsers. You can select and copy almost anything, and paste it exactly where you like using inline mode. Only reason why I did not give full 5 points is lack of possibility to copy link URL.
I like very much is the possibility to copy link URL. This makes it possible to copy URL without need to open the page, but what is even more important is the possibility to copy URL addresses of PDF and other closed source format files. The copied content is stored in mobile clipboard rather than browser clipboard which can allow you to send the content by SMS or Bluetooth.
Settings preferences
Bolt 3p
Opera Mini 5p
UC Browser 4p
There are adequate selection of preferences on Bolt 2. Worth to mention is possibility to install fonts. Personally I find no use for it but I admit it can help making the UI more usable with proper choice of font used.
Opera Mini is full of useful settings. For some strange reason part of them are located on so called power user settings page.
There are plenty of preferences on UC Browser 7.2. Worth to mention are possibilities to change the shortcuts and choose the night theme (useful at night time).
Rendering
Bolt 4p
Opera Mini 5p
UC Browser 3.5p
Page rendering aka way how pages are displayed is very delicate issue and certainly a matter of personal tastes. All the comments here are certainly just my own opinions but when it comes to rendering, it's important to remind the reader about this.
Bolt 2 continues showing Web pages as true as possible. This approach has it's advantages. For example many pages and features that just does not work on any other J2ME browser works on Bolt, and looks just the same as on desktop browsers. For example here at MyOpera I can easily access all features of my photo albums. I can edit and sort photos etc. There's also rather interesting split screen view available on Bolt, which is useful sometimes. However, I personally like Opera Mini's zoom more.
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In case of Opera Mini 5, I must confess being just so used to the way it renders the pages. I don't care if pages are not always showed exactly as they are on PC browsers. Usability is the most important issue for me and if the Web site provides a page that looks nice and is easy to use, then I really don't care if mobile site is different than users on PC can see. Many Web sites have finally started to understand how important it is to offer all the same features for all users, no matter what device they use. It is perfectly acceptable to give different content for mobile phone users, but it just should never be something less or limited compared to desktop browsers. Opera Mini 5 shows pages as I want to see them and that's all I have to care.
Rendering on UC Browser is not so good as opera mini. But I still have to say it's adequate, because at least they tried to offer a sort of desktop view. Their default setting is page view which is more fit able for the mobile with small-sized screen. In desktop view, many pages I use just looks not so good as opera mini. But on normal mode many pages are much better.
Save page
Bolt 3p
Opera Mini 3p
UC Browser 4p
Save page works just fine on Bolt 2 and it's easy to access saved pages on start page.
Save page feature works fine also on Opera Mini 5. It's easy to save pages and open them via menu. On Opera Mini 4.2 I liked the possibility to show few of the saved pages on start page. This is no longer possible on Opera Mini 5 but the lack of this feature is a question of start page features.
Except the saved URL page as opera mini and bolt, UC Browser 7.2 has an option to save the page as txt format which could save the mobile memory and easier to extract the content you like. Then you can easily copy to your word document or send SMS to your friends. After all, the content is more important than the URL, isn’t it?
Conclusion and summary
Bolt 3.55p
Opera Mini 4.27p
UC Browser 4.22p
From the point perspective, Opera mini is the most function-Rich browser with
most users around the world, and actually it is!
But its leading position is facing the challenge from new mobile browser players such as Bolt and UC browser. Especially for UC browser, comparing with its 7.2.0 version, more function and optimization is deployed in version 7.2.2.Botl is good as well. But not good enough. As a java based mobile browser, the function they provided is enough for the java supported feature phone. But not for the smartphone with high processing ability and more memory. Bolt should consider how to satisfy these customers.
Severely spoiled by Chrome, my transition back to IE on my 900 has been has been a tad bit bumpy.
If I may, fellow members? What browser do you use?
I'd say the only decent alternative to IE is using UC Browser. It is a bit more functional than IE, but still using the same rendering engine. I actually like UC a touch more than IE.
UC browser would be the closest alternative. but it crashes when attempting to load large pages, and it doesn't flush out all the histories of pages stored. you can go on hitting back non stop just to end the application. Kind of annoying at times.
What's UC browser?
What is that UC browser? Do you mean that Chinese-user-interface-only app that is in the marketplace? I could not find anything else with that name for WP7.
On the UC Web site they explain their technology, and if I understand correctly the UC browser does not work with the IE engine, i.e. is much more than a simple shell around IE (of which are quite a few available, I think), namely a render engine running on servers and a displaying client on the smartphone, much in the style of Opera Mini.
Interesting. I'll give it a try.
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
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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.