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Question

Looking for a good web browser for Android

Jun 18, 2013 11:29AM PDT

Something that looks nice and focuses on stuff I actually can use like intuitive controls, speed, and security instead of useless bullcrap that just gets in the way and invades your privacy and that nobody but the reviewers actually care about like gestures, Facebook integration, and the quote-unquote "almighty cloud"

"Speed dial" and "cloud bookmarks" are definitely deal-breakers unless I can disable them

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Odd.
Jun 18, 2013 11:32AM PDT

I've been using the Chrome one on the Nexus. What am I missing here?

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Please clarify
Jun 18, 2013 11:35AM PDT

What do you mean what are you missing?

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How would I know?
Jun 19, 2013 2:08AM PDT

Since I don't know what I'm missing, can you clear up what I missed?
Bob

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Er...
Jun 21, 2013 5:57PM PDT

Well... uh... is there any particular part of the OP that you're finding especially confusing?

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Your post below clears it up.
Jun 22, 2013 1:15AM PDT

I found the controls on Android to be what you wrote about below. However it's not a Windows PC and there is no efforts to duplicate what we had back then.

Chrome seems fine to me so unless you tell me what you didn't like I can't discuss it.

But as this is a smaller platform and the user interface did change, all apps tend to use the same new ways.

Maybe you don't like this OS?

As to Facebook integration I looked again and didn't find it. Maybe I opted out at some point?
Bob

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Just to clarify further...
Jun 22, 2013 8:19AM PDT

I don't want it to duplicate the controls on the PC. That would just be silly, especially (but not exclusively) because Chromes controls on the PC are also rather counter-intuitive. I want the controls to be intuitive for a smartphone. And they really aren't.

I'm not aware of it having Facebook integration either. That was just an example of the useless frills I don't like. It does have cloud bookmarks, though. And on top of my complaints about those below, Google is the last company (that I know of) that I'd want to trust my cloud-stuff to, seeing as how they have few qualms about selling my personal info to the highest bidder (which is usually an advertiser, and I don't like those ******** either).

My philosophy about internet security is: Just because my car isn't worth stealing doesn't mean I should leave it unlocked with the keys in the ignition in the wrong part of town.

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I'm not aware of it having Facebook integration either.
Jun 22, 2013 8:22AM PDT

Sorry but I went looking for this because you mentioned it. I came up empty handed.

I don't mind checking out stuff like this since the office is porting apps and it gives me access to more devices than the average Joe/Jane.

My install does not have cloud bookmarks because I answered no.

Well, at least I can stop asking and looking for that Facebook item now. In the future please don't do that.
Bob

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Answer
I've been happy with Maxathon browser
Jun 18, 2013 11:39AM PDT

I downloaded the Maxathon browser from Amazon. It works fine for me.

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I don't know...
Jun 18, 2013 2:11PM PDT

I don't know. I'm looking at it now and it seems to be awfully focused on cloud "services". Can those be disabled?

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Absoultely not
Jun 18, 2013 2:19PM PDT

A browser that exists entirely on the cloud??? Absolutely not. Not now, not ever. Please re-read my original post.

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Answer
best android browser
Jun 21, 2013 12:36PM PDT

I would recommend chrome.

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Tried it
Jun 21, 2013 5:53PM PDT

Tried Chrome. Controls seem to be deliberately counter-intuitive, and please read what I said about cloud bookmarks being a deal breaker.

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What happens when you don't sign in?
Jun 21, 2013 11:13PM PDT

Doesn't Chrome still provide you with an opportunity to bookmark on item on your Android powered handset?

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Chrome Browser
Jun 18, 2015 11:08PM PDT

Is that browser support with my Samsung Galaxy S5670 mobile model? It will allows me for rapid browsing.

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Answer
For the record...
Jun 21, 2013 5:55PM PDT

Believe me guys, I wouldn't be asking online if I hadn't already tried all the obvious choices (that I know of) and been sorely disappointed by them.

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It's cloud time.
Jun 21, 2013 7:20PM PDT

Can you explain your objections about using it for bookmarks? And against Facebook integration? I think you're able to browse without using it.

Kees

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Yes
Jun 21, 2013 11:10PM PDT

I'm fairly certain you can browse w/o using it.

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Security
Jun 22, 2013 8:10AM PDT

My main objection to cloud bookmarks is that I cannot turn them off, even if I'm not even using the same browser on another platform. I do not need them. I do not want them. But I'm being forced to use it anyway, and thus taking a needless and pointless privacy risk by storing something on an unsecure internet server that just as easily could have been stored on my device just for a "feature" that I have no use for and never wanted in the first place. That just doesn't make any sense to me.

Facebook integration just gets in the way, unless you actually use it which is something I have no desire to ever do. Facebook integration isn't a deal breaker though. I just don't like it.

And both of these are time, effort, money, and code that could have been spent making the browser faster, more intuitive, more secure, and just generally better that has instead been wasted on useless frills that are ultimately just going to sit there taking up space.

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Let me pull up chrome on my phone.
Jun 22, 2013 8:17AM PDT

Cloud bookmarks? No.
Facebook showing anywhere? No.

Sorry but I'm missing why these items are appearing at all for you. I answered no and it's working for me without your concerns.

There is a FireFox beta browser but I can't see loading up another browser when the 3 I have on this phone are doing fine.

Bob.

PS. The office is porting Android apps so I have access at almost all times to a dozen Android things. I wish I was seeing what you were seeing.

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Speed Dial
Jun 22, 2013 8:25AM PDT

Is there a way to disable the Speed Dial screen on Firefox?

I love Firefox on the computer, and have no practical concerns about it on the phone, but I really hate the Speed Dial screen. If only it didn't have that, or there were a way to disable it, Firefox would be perfect-ish. But I've searched through the settings and the add-ons and can't find anything for it.

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To that, yes.
Jun 22, 2013 8:32AM PDT

The Firefox is open source and folk can modify it to their own wishes.
Bob

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Okay, but
Jun 25, 2013 1:40PM PDT

Yeah, that's all well and good if you can code, but I can't.

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Answer
Missing Online Video Download Feature
Jun 23, 2016 5:52AM PDT

I have been using chrome for a very long time and still using it. The only thing i felt i missed is a Feature to download Online Videos directly to my Device.
For that i found an alternate Browser Called - Cool Browser Pro
It lets you download FB, YouTube and other online videos directly to your mobile.