Dolphin Browser

Not to be confused with Dolphin (file manager).
Dolphin Browser
Dolphin-browser-icon.png
Dolphin-browser-screenshot.jpg
Screenshot
Operating system Android, iOS
Type Mobile
License Proprietary
Website dolphin-browser.com

Dolphin Browser is a mobile browser for the Android operating system and iOS developed by Mobotap. It was one of the first alternate browsers for the Android platform[1] that introduced support for multi-touch gestures.[2] Dolphin HD uses the Webkit engine and the native platform rendering capabilities, which allows for a small disk footprint.[3] It is capable of running Adobe Flash, but it can have problems with video streaming.[4]

Features

Gesture Browsing - Users can create custom gestures for individual websites, and Dolphin Browser also comes pre-programmed with Gestures for many popular websites. Ex: Draw a "T" with your finger to visit Twitter.com or an "F" for Facebook.com.[1] Webzine – Webzine displays web content in a magazine-style format, providing select content from over 300 sources on topics including lifestyle, music, technology, business and many others. Webzine also caches content to be available offline.[1] Tabbed Browsing – Users can open and switch between web pages with multiple tabs at the top of the screen.[1]

Versions

Both iOS and Android versions are free without advertising.[1] There is an advanced version called Dolphin Browser HD for Android 2.0 or later.[4][5]

Privacy concerns

In October 2011, privacy concerns were raised about Dolphin browser after it was discovered that all URLs loaded in Dolphin HD were being relayed as plain text to a remote server,[6] a process described by Ars Technica as 'an unambiguous breach of privacy'.[7] This breach was patched in the next update.[8]

Reception

Since its initial release for Android, Dolphin has received generally positive reviews from both the media and the public.[9] Both the Android and iOS versions have been particularly lauded for their gesture-based functionality, speed and ease-of-use.[10] Business Insider claims “Dolphin Browser blows Safari out of the water.” [11]

As of November 15, 2011 Dolphin Browser iOS has maintained a 5 star rating across more than 6,500 reviews in the App Store.[12] Dolphin Browser HD for Android has over 250,000 5 star reviews in the Android Market.[13][14]

Awards

Since its launch, Dolphin Browser has received several notable awards. The app was named one of PC Magazine’s Best Free iPhone and iPad Apps of 2011,[15] was an Editors Choice at PC Magazine[16] and was named to the CNet 100.[17]

In November, 2011, The Street’s Tamara Chuang described Dolphin as a better alternative to Android’s Built-in Apps.[18]

Dolphin is included in the top startups to watch in 2012 according to Networkworld[19] and Appolicious[20]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e CNET.com: Jessica Dolcourt. "Dolphin Browser for Android". http://download.cnet.com/Dolphin-Browser-for-Android/3000-2356_4-75005194.html. 
  2. ^ Engadget: Chris Ziegler. "Dolphin browser for Android adds multitouch support on Droid". http://mobile.engadget.com/2009/11/29/dolphin-browser-for-android-adds-multitouch-support-on-droid/. 
  3. ^ Ars technica: Ryan Paul. "Hands on: Dolphin HD browser for Android is swimmingly good". http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/reviews/2011/01/hands-on-dolphin-hd-browser-for-android-is-swimmingly-good.ars. 
  4. ^ a b PCWorld: Brent W. Hopkins. "Dolphin Browser™ HD Review". http://www.pcworld.com/appguide/app.html?id=519000&expand=false. 
  5. ^ Gigaom.com: Kevin C. Tofel. "8 Reasons Android Owners Should Try Dolphin Browser". http://gigaom.com/mobile/8-reasons-android-owners-should-try-dolphin-browser/?utm_source=earth2tech&utm_medium=specialtopics. 
  6. ^ McCullagh, Declan. "Dolphin HD browser snared in security breach". CNET. http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20127195-281/dolphin-hd-browser-snared-in-security-breach/. Retrieved 30 October 2011. 
  7. ^ Paul, Ryan. "Major privacy flaw found in Dolphin HD browser for Android". Ars Technica. http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2011/10/major-privacy-flaw-found-in-dolphin-hd-browser-for-android.ars. Retrieved 30 October 2011. 
  8. ^ "Webzine Does Not Store User Data". Dolphin Browser Blog. http://blog.dolphin-browser.com/2011/10/27/webzine-does-not-store-user-data. Retrieved 29 November 2011. 
  9. ^ USA Today: Mark Saltzman (12 September 2011). "Dolphin Browser, Surf Web with gestures". USA Today. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/technologylive/post/2011/09/dolphin-browser-surf-web-with-gestures/1. 
  10. ^ Lifehacker: Adam Dachis. "Dolphin Browser Brings Its Gesture-Based Web Browsing to the iPhone". http://lifehacker.com/5835840/dolphin-browser-brings-its-gesture+based-web-browsing-to-the-iphone. 
  11. ^ Business Insider: "This New iPad Browser From Dolphin Blows Safari Out Of The Water". http://www.businessinsider.com/dolphin-launches-browser-for-ipad-2011-9. 
  12. ^ iTunes App Store: "Dolphin by Mobotap". 
  13. ^ Android Market: "Android Market". https://market.android.com/details?id=mobi.mgeek.TunnyBrowser&hl=en. 
  14. ^ "Dolphin Browser - Androidrank". androidrank.org. http://www.androidrank.org/details?id=mobi.mgeek.TunnyBrowser. Retrieved 2012-04-02. 
  15. ^ PC World: "Best free iPhone and iPad apps of 2011". http://www.pcworld.com/article/243615/the_best_free_iphone_and_ipad_apps_of_2011.html. 
  16. ^ PCMag: l "PC Magazine’s Editors’ Choice". http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2383132,00.asp l. 
  17. ^ Cnet: l "CNet 100". http://reviews.cnet.com/2300-19736_7-10008766-2.html l. 
  18. ^ The Street: Tamara Chuang. "6 Better Alternatives to Android’s Built-In Apps". http://www.thestreet.com/story/11299406/2/6-better-alternatives-to-androids-built-in-apps.htmll. 
  19. ^ NetworkWorld: Brad Reed. "9 hot technology startups to watch in 2012". http://www.networkworld.com/slideshow/24815#slide4. 
  20. ^ Appolocious: "Top Get Started Apps of 2011-2012". http://www.androidapps.com/curated-apps/6609-top-get-started-apps-of-20112012. 

External links

Features
Web standards
Related topics
  • Software no longer in development shown in italics