Internet Browser

A browser is the most vital link between internet surfing and the user. Most of us spend our maximum time browsing on a computer.

In other words, browser is the most used software on a computer. For many people, a browser is equivalent to Internet Explorer. That's the default Windows browser and many people don't bother exploring other browsers. But during the last few years, browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera etc. have presented a tough challenge to Internet Explorer. Its formidability faces a serious threat from these new browsers.

'Browser Wars' are getting hotter than ever. With changing times, browsers have also undergone drastic changes. Companies have started upgrading the browsers keeping in mind the needs of the users. The present-day browsers are not only HTML5 based, they also let users to access Facebook and Twitter with a single click.

Internet Explorer 9

IE still remains the Grand Daddy of all browsers. Microsoft recently launched the successor to Internet Explorer 8 - Internet Explorer 9. The browser is only compatible with Windows 7 and Windows Vista.

Key Features

1. Its biggest USP is it being HTML5 based. This enables features like built-in playback and drag n' drop.
2. Like Google Chrome, the new IE has a cleaner interface. Border space has been reduced. This bestows more space to the website. Microsoft has only included the address bar, and the 'back' and 'forward' buttons in IE9's frame.
3. There's a new option of 'website pinning'. Using this, the users can place the icon of their favourite site in the tray at the bottom via the 'drag n' drop' method. Thereafter, the site can be opened via a single-click, just like any other application in Windows.
4. Apart from the built-in download manager, there's a new-age feature called 'Smart Screen Filter' which blows a whistle if the browser suspects a site to contain malware or any other suspicious content.
5. After its earlier version failed to give a satisfying browsing experience to the users, IE9 more than makes up for that. While many other browsers only use 10% of CPU's capacity, IE9 also makes use of Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) during browsing. This takes browsing to an all new level.

Download it from: www.microsoft.com/India/Download-IE9

Mozilla Firefox 4M

Firefox continues to be the numero uno choice of millions of internet users across the globe, especially the ones who do creative tasks on the internet. Firefox 4, the browsers latest offering, has numerous add-ons and offers advanced security. Many new features have been inspired by Google Chrome.

Key Features

1. There's a new 'sync' feature in the newest Firefox. Users need to go towww.firefox.com/sync and then create a new account. Post this, the browser can be synced with the Firefox server on any other computer or an Android device.
2. Firefox 4 offers speedier browsing as compared to its predecessor Firefox 3.6. It also makes full use of the CPU's capacity and enables quick video playback and quick loading of high-res images.
3. There's an option of Single Touch Application Access which allows the users to park important/favourite apps like Google Maps, Email, Calendar, Google Dashboard etc at a single place and they can later access them through a single click. There's also a provision of accessing social networking sites like Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, LinkedIN, etc. via a single click.
4. The new Firefox is based on HTML5 and CS3. Fans can expect Firefox 5 to be rolled out soon.

Download it from: www.mozilla.com

9

Google Chrome 10e

Google Inc. has launched the newest version of its Chrome browser - Google Chrome 10. It is being viewed as Google's direct challenge to IE9. Chrome has always been known for easy handling of tabs, quick navigation and speedy browsing. The new Chrome does ample justice to Chrome's overall reputation.

Key Features

1. The new Chrome 10 gets the best out of Javascript during browsing. This improves the quality of video playback and lessens the load on CPU. This also helps maintain the battery life of the laptop/tablet.
2. The new Chrome also has the option of syncing the browser with another PC or Android device. Users can access their favourite Chrome Apps, websites, bookmarks, links etc. while working on some other computer.
3. Thousands of new apps can be found on Chrome Apps Store and Web Store.
4. Efficient bookmarking. Favourite sites can be accessed in a single click. Users can also view the Apps Store and a list of most-visited websites as soon as they open Chrome 10.

Download it from: www.google.com/chrome

Opera 11

The new Opera 11 is no less than Chrome or Firefox but it is mostly used as a smartphone browser. Opera Mini has already made waves as the most used mobile browser.

Key Features

1. There's an option of making new extensions and then linking them together.
2. The tabs can be stacked together.
3. As soon as you click on a tab you can view a mini image of the website (something bigger than a thumbnail). This can instantly let you know which site is open in the browser.
4. It has similar syncing options as the ones in Chrome and Firefox.
5. Users can download widgets from Opera's website. Social Networking sites can be thus easily accessed.
6. Now the new Opera has a revolutionary feature to offer its users. Through 'Opera Unite', users can directly share content with their friends and family. Videos, music, live-streams, photos, folders etc. can be easily shared. There's also an option of note sharing in Opera 11.

Download it from: www.opera.com

Apple Safari 5

This is probably the most underrated product from Apple's stable. But the new Safari 5 is capable of giving a great performance on both Mac and Windows.

Key Features

1. There's a feature called Safari Reader. If you open a site which opens up a number of unwanted pop-up windows, you can click on the Safari Reader button and all these nasty pop-up windows would disappear.
2. It supports HTML5 and also saves the users the trouble of installing third-party plug-ins.
3. A 'Nitro Engine' has been installed in Safari 5. Apple claims that after engine upgradation, Safari 5 gives 30% better speed than Safari 4 and three times speedier browsing than Firefox.
4. Apart from Apple, Yahoo!, Google Maps, Wikipedia etc. several news websites are also pre-installed in Safari 5. Social networking sites can be accessed by a single click.
5. There's a special feature called 'Private Browsing'. Once this feature is enabled, Safari 5 does not save browsing history and does not save email addresses and usernames to later auto-populate the boxes.

Download it from: www.apple.com/safari

A Look at the New Kids on the Block

While Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Opera and Safari dominate the browser space, these rookie browsers are also worthy trying.

Rockmelt

It looks like a twin of Chrome. Just like Google Chrome, Rockmelt is also a Chromium-based open source browser. The catch is that it can only be accessed after a user logs in to Facebook. It is being touted as the ideal browser for social networking. The browser, launched by the founders of Netscape, is targeting the young internet users. Whenever you get a new tweet, or a new wall post, an alert pop-up is generated. A minimum of 2GB RAM is required for running Rockmelt on a computer otherwise it may slow down the performance of the PC.

Download it from: www.rockmelt.com

Maxthon

This browser's USP is that is it fully customizable. For example, if you do not like the skin, menu options, toolbar icons etc., you can easily change them. Hot Keys and Word-based commands can also be used. Toolbars can be easily installed. User tab can be renamed and it also gives the option of 'mouse navigation'.

Downloaded it from: www.maxthon.com

Flock

This is a wonderful browser for those who spend a lot of time doing social networking. Flock has come to the rescue of those who can't resist facebooking, tweeting etc. even when they are in the office. Users can continue to get updates from social networking sites even when some other website is opened in the browser. This one too, like Google Chrome, is an open source Chromium Based browser.

Download it from: http://beta.flock.com/

Epic

This is the first browser which supports almost all Indian languages. It is very “Indian” in nature. There's a built-in Word Processor, an Indian theme based wallpaper(s), and a built-in ESET antivirus. Now this new browser has a feature which is indeed epic in the true sense of the word. Users can access the hard disk of the computer through the Epic browser!

Download it from: www.epicbrowser.com

Image and Article Credit: MensXP.com