Third-party apps enhance web browsing for iPhone, iPod touch

Earlier this week, there was a sudden influx of web browsing applications in the App Store. Mac Rumors points out that some of them, most notably Edge Browser [App Store link], have very old release dates even though they only showed up in the store recently (Edge Browser's release date is listed as Oct. 13, '08). It's important to note that these aren't true third party browsers, but enhancements to Mobile Safari.

What's interesting is that Apple has previously rejected applications for "duplicating functionality" of some of their own software. Specifically, Podcaster was rejected because it "...duplicates the functionality of the Podcast section of iTunes," while MailWrangler was denied for duplicating "...the functionality of the built-in iPhone application Mail without providing sufficient differentiation or added functionality."

Perhaps Apple is now loosening the reigns a bit. Applications like Edge Browser, Incognito [App Store link], QuickSurf [App Store link] and WebMate: Tabbed Browser [App Store link] offer web browsing functionality in one form or another. For example, Incognito allows for history-free browsing, QuickSurf speeds things up by omitting most images and WebMate queues up all links for later viewing.

Sure, they aren't full fledged, third party browsers, but it's baby steps we're after.

[Via MacDailyNews]

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Source: http://www.macrumors.com/2009/01/13/apple-allows-3rd-party-w…

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Earlier this week, there was a sudden influx of web browsing applications in the App Store. Mac Rumors points out that some of them, most...

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jpcx00

Sigh. Wake me with Firefox or Opera releases a proper alternative to Safari on iPhone. What a pile of crap that browser is. It can't stay running for more than 10 minutes of browsing. Seen the same problems for both my 1st gen and 3g iPhone.

Seems crazy to me. Apple isn't charging for Safari. So why are they threatened by browser competition?

January 15 2009 at 10:56 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Michael Coyle

Update: I see now that if I go to an individual category, I see more updates.

So looking under NEW and sorting by DATE gives you crap.

January 15 2009 at 8:05 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Michael Coyle

Two things:

By back dating the release dates of these apps, Apple has effectively buried them. What better way to screw your competition.

At the trickling release rate of Apps, I don't see how they ever got to 10,000. When I sort by Release Date, only 8 new apps appear for this year. Are they back dating like crazy?

January 15 2009 at 8:01 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

bistromaths

Finally, 1Password for the iPhone...as it should be!

January 14 2009 at 7:58 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

t_bracelin

Is there any way to get a flashplayer add-on?

January 14 2009 at 7:22 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Timothy Hankins

These are not browsers. They are UI wrappers for Safari. These apps are similar to the browsers included in other apps, such as Twitteriffic, NetNewsWire, etc. This isn't a concession by Apple. Don't look for mobile Opera or Firefox anytime soon. Or ever.

January 14 2009 at 6:05 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

zezke

Or a browser that allows downloading files...

January 14 2009 at 4:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Kevlar

How about a web-browser that includes support for Flash, built-in?

January 14 2009 at 3:22 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

jthomp1286

Cool. Let's see some Firefox on the App Store then!

January 14 2009 at 3:06 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Instead of parroting what other blogs have already said, why don't you tell us what these browsers do?

January 14 2009 at 2:53 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply