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Chrome's 1,000th web experiment visualizes all the others
Google has offered a ton of Chrome Experiments to show what modern web technology can do, but it's doing something special for the 1,000th project -- namely, visualizing all the other projects. The effort lets you browse six years' worth of browser-based art, games and other creative works in multiple ways, including a tag-based timeline and a live code editor. To top things off, Google has redesigned the Experiments site so that it scales properly on everything from phones to desktops. You probably won't have time to explore every single web snippet, but it's worth a visit to number 1,000 if you're wondering what you've missed.
Cosmos for Android lets you browse the web via SMS
In many parts of the world where LTE and 3G aren't as accessible, something like the Cosmos browser for Android could be incredibly cheap and useful. This upcoming Android app, you see, doesn't need data to work -- you simply plug in a URL, and it sends back a simple, stripped-down version of the page via text messages. On the project's GitHub page, its developers explained that once you input a URL, the app texts it to their Twilio number, which then forwards it to their backend. The system then gets the source code of the website and nukes the CSS and javascript to deliver a series of clean text messages to the user's phone.
Dell charging EU customers for Firefox installation, Mozilla's not having it
Installing a web browser is not a challenging task. In fact, you probably installed the one you're using today all by yourself. Nevertheless, Dell is offering to take the burden off the hands of customers in Europe. The cost of avoiding a few lazy double clicks? Only £16 in the UK or €19.60 (about $26.74) the EU. The bizarre service can be found on the accessories page when ordering select workstations, specifically the OptiPlex 7010. It's a strange and unnecessary option, harkening back to Best Buy's silly PS3 Firmware upgrade surcharge. It's also a blatant violation of Mozilla's trademark policy, which states that companies may not charge for the company's software in its unaltered, Mozilla-branded form. According to The Register, Mozilla is already looking into the matter. That said, there's no reason for anybody to buy this absurd add-on: installing Firefox is ridiculously easy. We promise.
Google invites iOS users to experience data compression with Chrome
Like it or not, thinking about every megabyte is essential for smartphone owners hoping to keep their monthly usage from topping whatever tier they've purchased. The nasty, unbecoming world of data caps isn't changing in the near-term, and Google knows it. Following in the footsteps of Opera, the outfit's Chrome browser for iOS is evidently equipped with a data compression feature that's engineered to save precious bytes when browsing via mobile. This technology has existed for some time, but it's just now being rolled out en masse to those with an iPhone. We're told that it "compresses and minimizes HTML, JavaScript and CSS resources, removing unnecessary whitespace, comments and other metadata not essential to rendering the pages," which can reduce data usage by up to 50 percent on certain sites. So, Apple -- thinking about tossing something similar under the hood of Mobile Safari?
Opera unveils Coast, a new web browser purpose-built for iPad and iPad mini
Opera's no stranger to the mobile web, as it's been building browsers for phones and tablets for years. Today, however, it's revealing an all-new window to the web called Coast. Coast's been constructed specifically for the iPad and seeks to make browsing the internet feel the same as using an app. What's that mean? Well, for starters, a series of swipe-able home screens and a tile-based UI that makes all your favorite websites look like icons. Also, Coast wholly does away with browser chrome, instead showing just content, with only small home and history buttons residing beneath whatever page you're viewing. Navigation forward and back's accomplished by swiping, and a customizable search bar sits atop your favorites. Essentially, Coast aims to be simple to use and to deliver web content in an unobtrusive, elegant way. When launched, Coast shows you a tiled grid of favorites, and you can set the number of tiles you see per screen (the default is nine). Adding a new site's as easy as dragging and dropping it onto one of the home screens. Upon returning to home from a site, the icon tile of that last-visited page shows up beneath your favorites, so you can make it stick around permanently by sliding it up to join your other bookmarks. Coast also takes a page from the webOS playbook by providing your browsing history as a series of panes that are tapped for access or swiped upwards to be deleted. And, Opera has, of course, thought to secure the browser, too. Coast is backed by a security engine that constantly consults an online database of unsafe sites -- stray into a nasty corner of the internet, and Coast strings police tape across the page and warns you of the danger. You can also view the security and reputation of any given site by tapping the history button, then swiping down from the bottom of the webpage to reveal such info. Want to know how Coast came to be? Join us after the break to find out.
Chrome 29 brings more intelligent omnibox suggestions, while Android users nab WebRTC support
Those with a hearty level of respect for beta builds have been enjoying these spoils for weeks now, but Google has today seen fit to push Chrome 29 and a refreshed Chrome for Android out to rest of us. Effective right now, Chrome 29 users on the desktop will see "improvements to omnibox suggestions based on the recency of websites visited, resulting in more timely and contextually relevant suggestions." Interestingly, Google has also added a "Reset browser settings" option for those who end up going a bit overboard with extensions; thankfully, waving the aforesaid white flag won't impact your themes, apps or bookmarks. On the mobile front, Chrome on Android is being updated with improved scrolling and startup performance, as well as WebRTC support that will enable video conversation directly in the browser without a plugin. Yeah, we thought you'd dig that.
Chrome beta brings improved suggestions to address bar, Android users get new WebRTC benefits
Google has rolled out some changes to its Chrome browser on a number of fronts today, with new betas hitting Windows, Mac, Linux and Android. For those on a traditional desktop or laptop, the biggest change comes to the address bar (or "omnibox," as Google calls it), which the company says will now offer suggestions based on the based on the recency of websites visited and deliver "more contextually relevant suggestions at the right time." Those using Chrome on an Android phone or tablet can apparently expect to see faster page loading times, as well as higher-quality web-based audio applications courtesy of the Web Audio API (Google has a MIDI Synth demo you can try out) and in-browser videoconferencing that's now possible thanks to the new WebRTC implementation.
Xbox Music web version launches today
As teased by Microsoft last week, you can now get your Xbox Music fix on a browser (and non-MS hardware) starting today. The service has now gone live over at music.xbox.com, offering up a music interface similar to its recent Windows 8 app refresh. It's also curiously able to play music across multiple devices at the same time -- something that streaming rival Spotify doesn't allow. The player itself adjusts to the size of your browser window, like this site, while your playlists can be edited and then synced with your Windows phone, Windows and Xbox 360. At the moment, the web version is for subscribers only. Not sure if it's the music service for you? Don't worry, Xbox Music has kept the 30-day trial it's offered since it first launched on Microsoft's game console. Sample it for yourself at the source link below. Steve Dent contributed to this report.
Internet Explorer 11 to support WebGL and MPEG Dash
Few would say that consistency is good for its own sake. Microsoft certainly agrees -- it just revealed at Build that Internet Explorer 11 will reverse the company's previously cautious stance on WebGL. The new browser will support the 3D standard from the get-go, joining the likes of Chrome and Firefox. IE11 should improve plain old 2D as well, as there's hardware acceleration for video streaming through MPEG Dash. All told, Internet Explorer should be a better web citizen -- and deliver a speed boost in the process.
Dolphin browser for Android adds redesigned UI, new store for web apps
Dolphin has done a pretty fine job when it comes to keeping its browser loaded with plenty of handy features, both on Android and iOS. Now, the Dolphin's hit version 10 for Android, bringing along an array of things including a revamped user interface, drag-and-drop support for speed dials on the home screen, additional swipe-based gestures and a new store for web-based applications. In addition to all that, Dolphin brought back support for Adobe Flash, while also taking to this release to improve the built-in search options and allow users to dig through sites like Amazon, Twitter, Wikipedia and YouTube right from within the app. The overhauled Dolphin browser is now available on Google Play, so give the source below a quick click if you're eager to check out these changes.
Apple announces Safari upgrades as part of OS X Mavericks
Apple has announced an updated version of Safari at WWDC. The browser update adds a new home page featuring a Top Sites feature that stores all of your bookmarks and regularly read sites. Using a new bookmark bar, you can easily add and remove links to your Top Sites selection. They've also introduced a "Reading List" feature to the home page that allows you to quickly jump from story to story on the sites you read the most. Safari also now has Twitter and LinkedIn integration that allows you to monitor and open links shared in those services within the browser using another sidebar. Enhancements have also been made under the hood of the program, including improved Javascript support. In addition, Safari now uses far less memory and is better at power management than other browsers. To quote Craig Federighi "When you compare [Safari's energy efficiency] to Firefox, it's actually kind of sad."
Apple introduces new Safari for OS X Mavericks: shared links and iCloud keychain passwords
To complement its new version of OS X, Apple's also improved its native web browser, Safari. Alongside a cleaner homepage design, there's now easier access to your Reading List and a new shared link function that'll tie into sites that others have sent to you. On the technical side, there's javascript improvements, a new shared memory resource cache, plus power-saving improvements and background tab optimizations. According to Apple, the new version will apparently use one third of the energy it takes to power Firefox and significantly bests even Chrome on Javascript benchmark tests. Better still, iCloud keychain will now hold onto your passwords, credit cards and WiFi logins -- all within Safari. In fact, the browser will even auto-suggest passwords. "A super-secure one," apparently, but if you're using Apple's web browser (with the new iCloud keychain support) forgetting it won't even be an issue. Follow all of our WWDC 2013 coverage at our event hub. %Gallery-190863%
Camino web browser reaches its end of life
The developers of the venerable Camino web browser announced yesterday that the product is no longer being developed and that users should move on to "a more modern browser." As the team blog notes, "Fortunately, Mac users have many more browsers to choose from than they did when Camino started 10 years ago." Camino devs have gone on to create Safari, Chrome and Firefox, all of which are under active development and in use by millions. There's one overriding reason to switch from Camino; it isn't receiving security updates. It's time to move on...
Nook Simple Touch reportedly getting web browser, email client on June 1st
Remember that web browser that was found hiding in the Nook's search function? It's time could be nigh. According to a leaked memo acquired by TechCrunch, Barnes & Noble will be updating the Nook Simple Touch and Simple Touch with Glowlight with an email app, web browser and an updated store next month. The update will reportedly be sent over the air starting on June 1st and rolling out to all devices in the following weeks. The idea isn't too far fetched -- the Simple Touch is running a skinned version of Android. Nook owners not willing to wait for the official patch can always root the device of course, which comes with some peripheral advantages. Check out TechCrunch for a look the full memo.
Firefox 21 officially released for desktop, Android version also gets a boost
If you like the internet, especially updating things from the internet, today is a good day for you. Mozilla has released not one but two major versions of its Firefox browser, the first being the increasingly social Firefox 21 on the desktop. The browser's integration with Facebook is now extended to include other partners including Cliqz, Mixi and msnNOW -- a trio that doesn't quite offer the same recognition of that first network. However, an open Social API holds the promise for others to follow suit. Facebook 21 also has better support for Do Not Track settings and includes the Firefox Health Report, which has the ability to track crashes and make recommendations for boosting performance. Firefox for Android was also updated, offering new open-source fonts, better HTML5 support, an improved UI and the ability to save media files by long-tapping. That is available for download now, as are the various versions for desktop operating systems. Choose your favorite flavor below.
Rockmelt says goodbye to its social web browser, says hello to Rockmelt for Web
It was a good ride while it lasted, but the browser wars haven't been kind to Rockmelt, which has announced that it'll cease supporting its socially-inclined desktop browser sometime in the next few months. The decision was made because keeping up with the steady stream of updates for Chromium, the code upon which the Rockmelt browser was based, was simply too costly. In its place, the company has announced Rockmelt for Web, a portal that may serve to alleviate some of the Reader rage many of us are experiencing. It aggregates content from "your favorite sites, your favorite people, and a dash of crazy stuff you never would have discovered," so it's like a combination of RSS, social networks and StumbleUpon. It's an invite-only beta for now, though users of the browser and iOS app have already been invited to the party. The rest of you lot can get on the list by hitting the source and signing up.
Chrome beta for Android delivers a proxy-based speed boost, now syncs autofill and saved passwords
As Google continues to work on improving Chrome for Android, today's update for the company's beta build of its browser appears to be a step in the right direction. Aside from the usual stability improvements and bug fixes, version 26.0.1410.26 adds two major additions. Lurking within this new software update is a data compression feature powered by Chrome for Android's recently uncovered SPDY-powered proxy boost. When enabled, this feature optimizes HTTP traffic over an SSL connection and transcodes images to Google's homegrown WebP format to reduce file sizes. In addition to turning your browser into a speed demon, this optional setting also uses Safe Browsing, which checks the sites you're visiting against a list of potential threats for malware and phishing. Further focusing on efficiency, this new update adds the ability to sync autofill and saved passwords across mobile devices. Google says it will deploy this new feature "in the coming days" and notes that you'll also need the latest version of Chrome's desktop beta in order to successfully sync your account. So, with that said, we suggest you wait at least a day or two before using your smartphone to go on a shopping spree, because those online checkout forms can be downright tortuous.
Windows 7 (finally) gets Internet Explorer 10
Microsoft has (after a few months) offered access to Internet Explorer 10 for users that haven't made the switch to Windows 8 just yet. The auto-upgrade process will roll out over the next few weeks and includes better JavaScript performance and, apparently, better battery life for mobile users. Spotted by Neowin user Mephistopheles, you can sample those fresh IE10 delights at the source link below.
Opera's WebKit-based Ice web browser coming to Android and iOS in February
Opera has been in the mobile web browser game for some time now, but it looks like it's set to soon shake things up considerably. As detailed in an internal video obtained by Pocket-lint, the company has been working on an all-new mobile browser dubbed "Ice," which ditches the company's own Presto engine in favor of WebKit (bringing it in line with the likes of Safari and Chrome). What's more, Ice looks to fully embrace a touch interface optimized for smartphones and tablets, with gestures replacing buttons and icons on a central home screen replacing tabs. You can apparently look for it to land on both Android and iOS sometime in February, with a new desktop version of Opera set to follow in March (details on it are comparatively light). Head on past the break for some highlights from the video.
US-CERT warns users to disable Java in web browsers, Apple and Mozilla move to block it
It's far from the first time that computer users have been warned to disable Java, but this latest security issue has risen to some high levels at a particularly rapid pace. After first being reported by security researchers on Thursday, the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (or US-CERT, a part of the Homeland Security department) stepped in with a warning of its own on Friday, which bluntly suggested that all computer users should disable Java in their web browsers (for its part, Oracle says that a fix is coming "shortly"). The flaw itself is a vulnerability in the Java Security Manager, which an attacker could exploit to run code on a user's computer. Not content to wait for a fix, some companies have already taken steps to block possible exploits. That includes Apple, which has added recent versions of Java to its blacklist covering all OS X users, and Mozilla, which has enabled its "Click To Play" functionality in Firefox for all recent versions of Java across all platforms (it was previously only enabled by default for older versions of Java). Apple's move follows an earlier decision to remove the Java plug-in from browsers in OS X 10.7 and up last fall. You can find the full alert issued by US-CERT and additional details on the vulnerability at the links below.
