What is the perfect web browser for you? Get the facts
“What are you, a hipster or something?”
As a faithful Chrome user, I routinely bear with playful jabs like this. Changing browsers for the sake of avoiding browser-based generalizations is not the solution – they say switching to Firefox is a free pass to geek-dom, and Internet Explorer is tagged as the universal Mom-browser. Safari….well, the range of implications there are endless. The truth is, I don’t need a browser to tell me if I’m (not) a hipster – Google Chrome’s simplicity just happens to suit me, personally. Each browser has a set of offerings that achieve functionality and efficiency in their own ways. Especially with the recent release of brand new versions, this competitive time in the browser field is a perfect chance to desert any old notions and try out a couple of the other top-contending browsers to find your best match!
Internet Explorer
IE has an upper-hand by being the default browser installed on Windows PCs, so it’s known for being the most common and, at the same time, the most complained-about browser. However, the release of the new Internet Explorer 9 may pacify a good number of the nitpickers. “Fast is Now Beautiful,” as the new IE9 slogan boasts, comes into play with a completely new interface, better tabs organization, and implication of web services shortcuts. It also offers the best security features amongst the web browsers, and boasts 100% compatibility. Also, IE9 supports HTML5.
Test drive Internet Explorer 9
Mozilla Firefox
It has never been in the top spot, but Firefox continues its steady climb with the release of its fourth version. Its appeal lies primarily in its add-ons feature — Firefox’s bank of thousands of third-party plug-ins and extensions allow the browser to be minimalistic, yet retain a high degree of extensibility. Users are able to access endless options and customizations that make browsing more comfortable. Highlights of the new Firefox 4 are its added security features, simpler interface, and ”Panorama” feature, which helps you efficiently group and categorize tabs and windows.
Google Chrome
Google’s web browser is the baby of the group, but its clean look and feel has already magnetized a good share of internet surfers. The Chrome-like appearances of new versions of Firefox and IE attest to its position as a veritable competitor in the browser field. The fastest of the browsers for general purposes, Chrome offers an Omnibox that displays history contents before even typing in the address, as well as the ability to easily sync and transfer preferences and other favorites between networks. Google Chrome version 10 boasts the fastest viewing of flash contents, and includes a PDF reader built right into the browser. It also conveniently supports HTML5.
See if Google Chrome is right for you
Apple Safari
Clutter-free and straightforward like everything else Apple-made, Safari presents a sleek interface and a brushed-titanium frame. Even though it is primarily made for use on an Apple platform, a version for Windows users is also available. Its 2010 release of Safari 5 has new features that include Safari Reader (which helps strip pages of ads or other interruptive content), performance updates, hardware acceleration for Windows, HTML5 support, and an included Bing Search. Users also enjoy an attractive 3D most-visited-sites gallery upon opening new tabs.
Skybox Creative, Inc. – Elevate your business with browser-friendly brand + web design.
We develop and test our websites on all available browsers to ensure your brand image is consistent and polished across the board. Want more information? Get in touch! info@skyboxcreative.com
