Database Develop

Google Chrome

Hey everyone,
What are your thoughts about the new browser?
Have you clicked the "make default" button?
How would you like to try one out on a mobile device?

Hello,
Chrome, by itself, is really good to use, initially i was not comfortable with the idea for google collecting data about my surfing habbits, but further reading suggests that almost all browsers do "call home" its not something that is really special with Chrome and defenitely not what some websites try to portray...
I am sure Google knows enough about my surfing habits without having the google toolbar and chrome installed
dammit, i just want to visit some sites which they won't know about....hmmm...maybe won't know about...
So, no "make default" yet, I'm eagerly trying out the new firefox 3.1 beta...
On the mob, yeah sure, 'cauz my mobile browsing is quite limited...

To make it clear, I, for one, have made the switch... Using Chrome as Default, there are still many areas they need to cover, but my biggest concern at the moment is Bookmarks. Firefox and Opera have great Sync features, Chrome has none. That's a real pain, considering the whole Cloud phylosophy which Google understands all too well..
Downloading is another area...
Being a big Google fan I'm prepared to live with this version, but not sure if it's ready for mainstream.
I imagined Chrome to be updated quite often, but that's not the case at all.

I'm definitely using Chrome full time. I've had to go back to Firefox a couple times for certain plugins (specifically media rippers, to pull FLV files off video sites) but hopefully Chrome will open up to third parties soon.

I think it´s too "Beta" now
Maybe in a couple of years could be a good candidate, but now still too young and limited.
I´ll stick to Opera meantime
Cheers,

I have been using Chrome every now n then but not 'default'. It does look promising but will take time to mature like Firefox 3. Firefox simply rocks.

Aparently they have this policy that everything you upload using google chrome is now considered theirs.. or so I've been told...

I enjoy a certain level of privacy. So....im sticking to FF on the PC (except when IE is required) and Opera on WM6.1+

@Mikeeey: Nope. They resolved that a while ago. They used a general TOS agreement that was pretty blanket and covered a number of services (to save on writing up different legal agreements every time). They forgot that the wording was sort of bad in this particular case and have since changed it. Everything you do under Chrome is yours, as expected.
@Zeezee: What do you mean by privacy? Because they track usage?

I really like Google products, but Chrome just doesn't cut it against FireFox or Maxthon. I've grown very accustomed to certain plug-ins and/or features in FireFox and Maxthon that I just can't part with.

I'm absolutely loving Chrome. So speedy.
Still lacks a couple of things I liked from FF, but I'm not going back.
/defaults it.
Oh - and regarding privacy - I figure Our-Googley-Overlords already know most of my browsing habits, seeing as I use Google to search for everything anyway.

make the switch. it will change your life.

joel2009 said:
make the switch. it will change your life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why you say this?
Can you extend your opinion please?

I've always hated FF and was an IE user.
I find Chrome screws up sometimes on streaming videos, but other than that, I use it all the time.
IE7 would crash on me daily, not any more. The ultimate browser for me would be some sort of Chrome-IE8 hybrid.

Willtastic said:
@Zeezee: What do you mean by privacy? Because they track usage?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, google likes to know ppl's business

zeezee said:
yeah, google likes to know ppl's business
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
who don't?

Setting Default Browser UAString to "Desktop"

Ok I have Froyo 2.2 running on my Captivate but I cannot force the browser to browse pages in desktop mode instead of wap/mobile mode.
I tried about:debug from the browser to change the advanced settings but the UAString value is not displayed in the list at all, the last time is Set JS flags.
Does anyone really know how to set this on 2.2 with the captivate?
-D

you need to mess with the framework-res.apk file.

madjsp said:
you need to mess with the framework-res.apk file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response I was looking for something a little more informative, are you telling me I need to edit files in a package, etc? Just to enable this?

Probably the easier solution would be just to use the Dolphin HD browser and set the user agent to desktop if all you want is to avoid the re-direct to the mobile sites.

I've done that, and Skyfire as well, but I am not sure how flash 10.1 works with the other browsers or if it works with all of them. I know Skyfire intercepts and tries to play them with its only build.
I am also curious why the UAString value is omitted from the debug settings on the default browser to begin with.
I also found that I had to actually manually install 10.1 it was not installed after updating to 2.2
I am also a little disappointed with the sept.11 build of 2.2 I installed, it does not feel faster than the stock 2.1 as a matter of fact web browsing is worse, and so is screen transitioning on the desktop compared to 2.1. Not sure why.

-i have the same problem, i try to load a site and i get the mobile version , and i try the skyfire, dolphin browser hd and nothing ...

eclypse3demons said:
I've done that, and Skyfire as well, but I am not sure how flash 10.1 works with the other browsers or if it works with all of them. I know Skyfire intercepts and tries to play them with its only build.
I am also curious why the UAString value is omitted from the debug settings on the default browser to begin with.
I also found that I had to actually manually install 10.1 it was not installed after updating to 2.2
I am also a little disappointed with the sept.11 build of 2.2 I installed, it does not feel faster than the stock 2.1 as a matter of fact web browsing is worse, and so is screen transitioning on the desktop compared to 2.1. Not sure why.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used Dolphin HD to watch a full episode of the Daily Show from the website, so I know for a fact flash works with it, and keeps it from re-directing to the mobile site. Must be some kind of EUE.

Open the browser then on the address type:
about:debug
Then go to settings, scroll all the way down and enable normal rendering.
That's it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

LGSilva said:
Open the browser then on the address type:
about:debug
Then go to settings, scroll all the way down and enable normal rendering.
That's it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-don't work!!!

I know Hulu is blocking **** so thats expected but its still detecting Dolphin and Skyfire with the correct Strings set.
I know Flash is working but since 2.1 had some sort of flash support previously its hard if the new one is working if it does not show "HD" options.
Since setting UAString cannot be done via debug menu for the default browser, in 2.2 on the build on my captivate I will just wait it out and see if someone figures it out I guess.
Its odd that even with skyfire set to desktop, that Hulu can detect the version still.

mafiaSIC said:
-don't work!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works for me

not for all sites.

This may be because the website uses other aspects besides just UAString. For instance, even though both a PC and a phone have flash 10.1 I am positive there is still a way for a website to indicate which is a mobile version. Also it can use screen res, IP address (unlikely), and other factors. Most likely it is flash player having its own useragent.

LGSilva said:
Open the browser then on the address type:
about:debug
Then go to settings, scroll all the way down and enable normal rendering.
That's it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to make this clear, which browser are you talking about and can you post a screen shot.

eclypse3demons said:
Just to make this clear, which browser are you talking about and can you post a screen shot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-defaut browser. =settings

In regards to the framework-res.apk...
There is an xml file in there that has the user agent string that our phones are using. I don't remember exactly where it is. perhaps framework-res.apk/scripts/???/
Like I said I'm not sure where it is. It is a lot easier to mess with it on stock than it is on Cognition, Sheps, etc.
Hulu will ONLY work if we are able to change that setting. Skyfire, Opera, etc wont because it still has the string settings.

eclypse3demons said:
I've done that, and Skyfire as well, but I am not sure how flash 10.1 works with the other browsers or if it works with all of them. I know Skyfire intercepts and tries to play them with its only build.
I am also curious why the UAString value is omitted from the debug settings on the default browser to begin with.
I also found that I had to actually manually install 10.1 it was not installed after updating to 2.2
I am also a little disappointed with the sept.11 build of 2.2 I installed, it does not feel faster than the stock 2.1 as a matter of fact web browsing is worse, and so is screen transitioning on the desktop compared to 2.1. Not sure why.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, there are several things I need to point out about this post
a) flash 10.1 will work with non-stock browsers like Dolphin HD, Skyfire uses it's own method to circumvent flash and I don't believe there's a way around it
b) UAString is omitted probably because there is no real need to change that for most users, and the above method for "enable normal rendering" does prevent redirects to mobile, but it doesn't change the UAString (in mobile, it's more importat to have an option to switch to desktop mode than change the UAString)
c) flash 10.1 was installed across every other person's device running 2.2, likely you had an update in the market, but everyone else who installed 2.2 had it. Also, android 2.2 != flash 10.1. Android 2.2 is the version of the OS capable of running 10.1, but there are requirements and licensing issues, so it doesn't necessarily come preloaded on every 2.2 device
d) where are you getting this "september 11th" build date from? I assume you're looking at kernel version [email protected] #1? that means a user named "jetaek.lee" made a build on a COMPUTER NAMED "sep-11". if you knew how to check build.prop, you would see this build was made on 9/21 and that the "sep-11" name showed up on the 2.1 kernel built in June. And considering it was only leaked at the start of october, it was only a week or two old at the time. I'm sick of people complaining about literally the dumbest thing imaginable.
e) the "laggy browser" issue has already been acknowledged and there is a SIMPLE fix available in the forums, search for it.

FWIW, Skyfire uses both the regular flash 10.1 as well as its own streaming implementation. So, you can use the standard flash for most websites but if there is a flash video that is slow you use the skyfire converted stream.

glitterballs said:
Probably the easier solution would be just to use the Dolphin HD browser and set the user agent to desktop if all you want is to avoid the re-direct to the mobile sites.
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Click to collapse
- Yes, I concur

@Kaik541
Well I have only had this phone for 3 days so I cannot say I am an expert on it but I can form a reasonable opinion on the differences in performance in a pre-released leaked version of 2.2 and the stock 2.1 and I am not entirely sure that is complaining about the stupidest thing.
Everything else however you posted I kinda knew but was not sure of hence the post. =)
I agree will prob just stick will Skyfire or Dolphin (although Dolphin worked on fewer sites for me than Skyfire did.)
Will have to see if the release version of 2.2 is optimized.

Opera browser for tablets

A browser designed specifically for larger touch screens could indeed make a difference. Currently, browsers with touch interfaces work pretty much the same on mobile phones as they do on tablets.
http://www.techspot.com/news/41807-opera-previews-browser-for-tablets.html
Can any one post akp file?

The Opera browser for tablets hasn't been released yet. It's only been talked about, and shown in a very short youtube video.

It's suppose to be out soon:
http://www.opera.com/press/releases/2011/01/03/
There was a beta awhile ago, but it didn't support Flash integration.
Firefox also has a beta, but, at least when I tried it, it didn't support Flash yet.
Jim

I like better and cooler just as much as the next guy, but what can you really do different?
The same improvements for panning and zooming should be valuable for phones,so why not just improve those functions for the base app?

I know it's an old thread and you probably may not view this, but I just installed Opera Mobile 11 from opera's website. Nice clean and simple. Also has Flash support.
I was even able to use the quick search feature of this forum via a browser for the first time!!! (without having to go into advanced search).

nimiaj said:
I know it's an old thread and you probably may not view this, but I just installed Opera Mobile 11 from opera's website. Nice clean and simple. Also has Flash support.
I was even able to use the quick search feature of this forum via a browser for the first time!!! (without having to go into advanced search).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome man. All I heard was flash support

Thought I'd throw this link up http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1009443 for anyone interest in this browser. It shows you how to set the useragent up to open pages in desktop view instead of the default mobile view
Sent from my GT-I9000M using XDA App

Google Chrome on Android

No one posted this yet?
It's available on the Android Market for ICS devices
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.android.chrome
APK also available here:
http://min.us/mv2d7nyM6#5o
edit: I screwed up the upload - it only uploaded around 1MB instead of 16MB - fixed now

What do you think of it, performance-wise?

Love it! :-D
Edit: 'till now ;-)

It was posted in the Themes and Apps sectino - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1485686

Running great!!

I compared several pages and it the stock browser still feels like it scrolls smoother and loads considerably faster.
This IS a beta though so improvements in this regard are inevitable.
The fact that there is no Flash support hurts it just a bit too. Once Flash is completely eradicated from the web(I can't wait for that to happen, such a completely inefficient, performance hogging format) it'll be a non-issue though.

going to try this out now. thanks for heads up

Does is work well in Desktop mode? Do websites recognize the mode correctly or does it auto load the mobile page?

kiroiv said:
Does is work well in Desktop mode? Do websites recognize the mode correctly or does it auto load the mobile page?
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Click to collapse
Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a way to change user-agent to desktop.
chrome://flags/ doesn't work. Some of the other chrome:// commands do, none of them have the option to change user-agent.

Does not load or have option to load pages in desktop mode. What is the point in a browser for tablets that loads pages as if they where on a phone.

smegatron said:
Does not load or have option to load pages in desktop mode. What is the point in a browser for tablets that loads pages as if they where on a phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In fairness, most web developers are taking a shortcut and assuming anything with "android" in the user-agent string is mobile instead of asking the browser for screen dimensions. This is bad but common practice.
The way which was finally added in the ICS browser to work around this is to change the user-agent string platform info to X11 instead of Android.
When you "request desktop site" this is what happens.
Site thinks is mobile: (Linux; U; Android 4.0.3; en-us; Build/ITL41F)
Site thinks is desktop: (X11; Linux x86_64)
This is an inelegant hack. (Though I am surprised it's missing from Chrome for Android)
Ideally, web developers will clue into the existence of tablets and properly handle things.

I find the stock ICS browser to be smoother and more fluid for me....

ZanshinG1 said:
Ideally, web developers will clue into the existence of tablets and properly handle things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When people still design sites/apps for IE6 I wouldn't hold my breath.

Agreed with others here. Stock feels faster and smoother.
IMO its a terrible beta. No user string, no flash, bookmarks are terrible, colour theme doesn't fit with ICS..
Also, why does it exist? If it's only for ICS and above, why didn't they replace stock browser with it? I thought stock android browser was web kit and chrome based anyway.

TheStickMan said:
Agreed with others here. Stock feels faster and smoother.
IMO its a terrible beta. No user string, no flash, bookmarks are terrible, colour theme doesn't fit with ICS..
Also, why does it exist? If it's only for ICS and above, why didn't they replace stock browser with it? I thought stock android browser was web kit and chrome based anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funnily enough, Chrome relys on the stock browser for half its settings
Sent from my D255 using XDA App

I installed it. Went to a few sites. Said cool. And now I'm back to using the stock browser.

I like it because my chrome bookmarks now sync, the feature never worked in Honeycomb or with the new ICS browser and I had to use the chromemarks app as a work around.
Its quite fast to use but it still needs a lot of work, flash, themes and extensions would be nice lolz
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk

I think its not bad for a beta been using it on my phone for a few days now... Remember beta here.. We cant expect everything from your desktop onto your mobile device right now as with google they are going to add features as time comes... Personally i would like to see extentions work but most people would be like that
Sent from my mind control device

When i first downloaded chrome i used it a little then went back to ics + because i thought chrome was akward and hard to close tabs. I missed quick controls right off the bat because they are pretty ingenious and intuitive. Well since then i have only used chrome. I only use ics+ when i need to view flash. Chrome is fast, although it takes some effort to close tabs and open new ones. I can't wait for an update and all the things that are obvious (extensions, flash, quick controls). I love how android is growing up. I feel like a proud father watching it go from a small phone ui to now on the brink of blossoming out to all areas of life. By that i mean throughout our homes i.e. Google home integration. I don't think Google has any plans to support flash though with this browser. The HTML YouTube in this browser is fast an non buggy. I'm sure Google wants to keep their browser flash free so they can monopolize web m.

I think I have to agree with you, I've gone back to the ICS browser because it's better designed for touch screen devices. Chrome beta is quite fiddly to use with your fingers! lolz
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk

[Q] Default browser

I've searched and haven't found much other than it is not possible threads but is there any way to change the default browser to something other than stock?
I want to use UC Browser. The reason, I subscribe to a few boards that have videos posted, such as Powerblock TV, an automotive enthusiast site. Internet Explorer doesn't play half of them and when it comes to Flash, neither do.
However, I can cut and paste out of IE into UC and the video plays fine.
I did development back on Windows Mobile and never mad the cut to WP. We had some cool tools back then and I know the SDK is limited in WP in comparison.
Hopefully there is a way. If not, I will just live with it like I have been.

Nope, currently we can't make a default browser for THIRD PARTY Apps even SECOND PARTY apps.
Hope this feature will come in WP8.2 or may be WP9.

djamol said:
Nope, currently we can't make a default browser for THIRD PARTY Apps even SECOND PARTY apps.
Hope this feature will come in WP8.2 or may be WP9.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suspected that although has anyone seen any reference to it in future releases?

It *might* be possible, on interop-unlocked phones. On WP7 I was able to make a different browser launch for *most* scenarios (that normally invoke IE) but changing the HTTP and HTTPS URI handlers in the registry.
It would be really nice if Microsoft had just let people list those URI schemes in app manifests, but nooooooo.