Apple greenlights third-party iPhone browsers
updated 09:25 am EST, Wed January 14, 2009
3rd-party iPhone browsers
A slate of new third-party web browsers has unexpectedly appeared at the App Store, reports indicate. The browsers were all published within a short space of time, and include titles such as the 99-cent WebMate, which queues up multiple links without switching to them, and the $1.99 Incognito, which deliberately omits any history tracking. Apple has not made any special notice of the software's existence.
The apps' presence remains significant however, as Apple has traditionally rejected third-party browsers at the App Store, accusing them of "duplicating functionality" offered by Safari. The approval of simple browsers may potentially pave the way for more comprehensive Safari alternatives, such as Opera Mini, or a mobile version of Firefox. An iPhone version of Opera Mini has already been completed, in fact, but has sat in limbo for months due to Apple's official restrictions.
Madness Method
01/14, 10:27am reply
It's easier to loosen the reins than it is to tighten them. Apple's strict control over the app store is to protect the consumer. Maybe the browser restrictions wasn't so much frivolous feature dup law as it was part of research of phone performance. I expect the future to continue with more options as competition keeps the heat on. The users will benefit.
kdogg73
Dedicated MacNNer
Joined: Dec 2002
Flash?
01/14, 10:56am (1 reply) reply
Could this signal the future availability of Flash on the iPhone?
beyere
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2002
RE: Flash?
01/14, 11:03am reply
God, I hope not.
exca1ibur
Mac Elite
Joined: Oct 2000
Safari
01/14, 11:46am reply
Maybe we will finally get a browser that isn't so darn crash happy as Safari.
gskibum3
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2006
Re: Flash
01/14, 12:47pm (1 reply) reply
Considering how sluggish Safari seems to render regular HTML, I can only imagine how slow it would be while loading Flash. No thanks.
afaby
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2005
Re: Madness method
01/14, 01:13pm reply
Right, it was all part of research. But apps to pretend you're using a light saber, or pretend you're drinking a beer, or one to make cheap f*** sounds, those don't need research or performance checks. But a browser. Yes, I can see where Apple would need to investigate those fully before allowing any new ones in.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Webkit?
01/14, 02:19pm reply
I'm guessing these apps use Webkit to do the rendering, which make it easier for Apple to accept. If I'm right, then the existence of these do not suggest Opera and Firefox will follow.
Dez
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2002
Yep Webkit based...
01/14, 10:48pm reply
Yeps. right on about webkit.. so essentially themed safari... I hate safari. Crash happy is right... Can't wait for my Pre to come in, or Jobs to let my iPhone off of his leash.
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
Oh please!!
01/18, 01:11pm reply
More farting apps!! I just can't get enough...
15000 apps, sounds great. 90% s***, not so great. While I appreciate the fun and games associated with the iTouch devices, if I want to play games I use my PSP or DS. Give me apps to make my device, and therefore me, more productive and useful. If a new browser is better, then dammit Apple, get out of my way. I'm busy!! Bring on the mobile Firefox, bring on something to work with MS Office files like XLS and DOC. Why not let me edit a PDF on here? Come on!! Bring it!!
macuserssmelllikebum
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Dec 2006