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January 14, 2009 5:49 AM PST

New browsing apps available for the iPhone

by Caroline McCarthy
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We're guessing that they won't surpass iBeer in popularity any time soon, but this is big news for the App Store: Apple has quietly started allowing Web browser applications in.

According to MacRumors, a small bunch of browser apps were recently let into the App Store. They include the free Edge Browser, the historyless Incognito ($1.99), the tabbed WebMate ($0.99), and something called Shaking Web ($1.99) that attempts to make Web sites easier to read.

Previously, Apple had not approved third-party browsers for the App Store; its own Safari browser is preinstalled on the iPhone. Other browsers weren't allowed, citing "duplicating functionality."

The browser apps currently in the App Store all have some kind of quirk that sets them apart from standard browsers, ranging from a slant in design (Edge) to one in privacy (Incognito). They're all built using Safari as a base too. So it's not yet clear whether Apple will open the gates to iPhone versions of completely separate third-party browsers, such as Firefox or Opera.

Caroline McCarthy, a CNET News staff writer, is a downtown Manhattanite happily addicted to social-media tools and restaurant blogs. Her pre-CNET resume includes interning at an IT security firm and brewing cappuccinos. E-mail Caroline.
Topics:

Browsers and extensions,

Mobile

Tags:

Apple,

iPhone,

iPhone apps,

browsers,

mobile,

App Store

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by kevindarling January 14, 2009 6:05 AM PST
The headlines are bogus.

These ARE Safari browsers, or at least they still use the same browser component.

They're just apps with an HTML control embedded in them.

Nothing new, nothing to do with allowing actual third party browsers.
Reply to this comment
by caroline.mccarthy January 14, 2009 6:22 AM PST
Cool, we have looked into it a bit more and clarified things. Thanks!
by samkass January 14, 2009 6:55 AM PST
To be clear, they use WebKit, not Safari. Safari is Apple's browser built with WebKit, just like Chrome is Google's browser built with WebKit. These are other browsers built with WebKit that are now available on the App Store. The interesting thing will be to see if non-WebKit browsers, or WebKit plugins that enable Flash, Java, etc, will be allowed.
by kevindarling January 14, 2009 6:28 AM PST
Excellent. Much better headline. Thanks!
Reply to this comment
by sting7k January 14, 2009 6:57 AM PST
These aren't browsers, they are just safari with different UI and looks. They use the exact same Webkit rendering engine Safari is already using. I wouldn't hold out much hope for any "actual" third party browser like Opera, Firefox, or anything else (it would be pretty funny though to have an iPhone version of IE).
Reply to this comment
by samkass January 14, 2009 8:41 AM PST
Having something that renders HTML/CSS (which WebKit does) is just one piece of a browser. These ARE browsers, just like Safari, Chrome, OmniWeb, Nokia's S60 browser, or one of the dozens of other applications using WebKit (http://trac.webkit.org/wiki/Applications%20using%20WebKit).
by seven7dust January 14, 2009 6:59 AM PST
Finally ,
hopefully we'll also see Divx/Xvid playing software soon !
I heard Core already developed a Iphone app
which was rejected !
Reply to this comment
by NicoTheGeek January 14, 2009 7:37 AM PST
Cool ! Next step is to get Fennec on iPhone :)
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by scaught78 January 14, 2009 8:15 AM PST
I was showing off my iPhone to our VP yesterday and he asked about the App store. He wanted to see the top selling Apps and at the top was iFart and iBeer. Needless to say I don't think he was impressed.

Sorry, nothing to do with the article....I just thought it was kind of funny.
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by Spartan_458 January 14, 2009 9:50 AM PST
I doubt that third-party browsers will be let in anytime soon. Apple is too busy trying to control everything.
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by bluelight421 January 14, 2009 11:25 AM PST
This is all good news as Apple is finally beginning to bend their original app development rules however, when will then allow flash? numerous people have said that flash is possible on the iPhone and this would truly help Apple's claim of "the internet in your pocket". I know i'm beating a dead horse but hey, im just looking to start a conversation. : )
Reply to this comment
by sciontcya January 14, 2009 12:07 PM PST
Interesting - 1Password app has it's own browser and has been there a long time...
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by greggman January 14, 2009 12:33 PM PST
Oh how I wish I could run Operamini on my iPhone. Safari SUCKS. Safari crashes all the time. Safari doesn't cache pages so going back to pick the next link from a search or from a news site takes forever vs operamini which is instant. Safari has no option to reformat for small screens, operamini does making it MUCH better for browsing on a phone. I love my iPhone but my browsing experience is much worse than my previous phone.
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by moretroops January 14, 2009 1:38 PM PST
Perhaps you haven't updated to latest software (2.1 or some such)? Safari crashed a lot before I updated -- no longer.
by random truth January 14, 2009 3:34 PM PST
And because we all know how good opera mini is on the storm *rolls eyes
by AppleSuxLeo January 14, 2009 1:50 PM PST
After watching the Palm Pre in action , it`s obvious Apple needs a new phone OS/UI.
http://cnettv.cnet.com/?type=videoId&value=50005010,50004980,50004922,50004935,50004977,50004942,50004909,50004968,50004886,50004925&name=Best+new+products+of+2009&tag=smallCarouselArea.3
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by onedrb January 14, 2009 4:32 PM PST
There is already a way to run Flash enabled Firefox on the iPhone. Purchase and download the excellent Jaadu VNC client from the iPhone App Store and connect to the beta release of Free Online PC at www.freeonlinepc.com. The service provides a complete Linux desktop with a full range of applications, that runs pretty good on the iPhone with Jaadu client - and supports Firefox.
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by Starfires January 15, 2009 5:23 PM PST
What we need now is a better, more stylish 'Home' screen to rearrange our apps on. I can sense Divx coming soon, too, though converting videos isn't that much trouble for someone like me who doesn't use them much.
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by JT_07 January 16, 2009 8:29 AM PST
Didn't Microsoft get sued for nearly the exact same thing? Only difference here is the platform. If Apple is going to release development tools then they need to allow all types of developed apps even if it conflicts with one of their own products.

If you don't want development competition then don't allow third parties to develop on your platform. It's only a matter of time when the lawsuits start.
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by Rants&Raves January 17, 2009 5:28 AM PST
The timing is suspicious; is this related in any way to teh EU actions on Microsoft ?
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