Dolphin Browser

Last updated
Dolphin Browser
Developer(s) MoboTap Inc. (subsidiary of Changyou.com Limited) [1] [2]
Stable release(s) [±]
iOS

10.0.6 (November 24, 2020;3 years ago (2020-11-24) [3] )

Contents

Android
12.2.9 (August 12, 2021;3 years ago (2021-08-12) [4] ) [±]
Engine Dual engines with Webkit and Dolphin Jetpack (based on Webkit)
Operating system Android, iOS
Type Mobile browser
License Proprietary Freeware
Website dolphin.com

The Dolphin Browser is a web browser for the Android and iOS operating systems developed by MoboTap Inc. It was one of the first alternative browsers for the Android platform [5] that introduced support for multi-touch gestures. [6] Dolphin Browser uses its native platform's default browser engine.

Features

Dolphin Browser supports most web standards. The browser also supports tabbed browsing, voice controls, and touch gestures. It can cache web content for offline use and synchronize data across devices. It supports browser add-ons on Android only.

Versions

Both iOS and Android versions are proprietary software with optional in-app purchases. [5] There was an updated version called Dolphin Browser for Android 2.0 or later. [7] [8] Dolphin Browser Beta [9] was released in May 2012 with the in-house HTML5 engine Jet pack.[ citation needed ] In December 2013, Dolphin Zero, a version of the app that claims to be private by automatically deleting browser data, was released. [10]

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, [11] a process described by Ars Technica as "an unambiguous breach of privacy". [12] This breach was patched in the next update. [13]

Reception

In 2011, Steve Kovach of Business Insider compared Dolphin Browser favorably to Safari and claimed "Dolphin Browser blows Safari out of the water." [14] In 2011, Dolphin Browser was recognized on PC Magazine 's list of the best free iPhone and iPad Apps of the year, [15] and received a PC Magazine Editors Choice award in 2012. [16]

However, in the years since its release it has not had enough users to compete with competitor mobile browsers. [17] [18] As of March 2024, the browser holds a rating of 2.7 out of 5 on the Apple App Store. [19]

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References

  1. "Chinese startup behind Dolphin mobile browser sells 51% stake for $91 million". Tech in Asia. 2014-07-17. Retrieved 2018-02-24.
  2. "Changyou to Invest in MoboTap" (Press release). Changyou. 2014-07-16. Retrieved 2018-02-24.
  3. "Apple on the App Store". iTunes Store. 2020-11-24. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
  4. "Dolphin Browser - Fast, Private & Adblock🐬". Google Play Store . 2021-08-12. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
  5. 1 2 Jessica Dolcourt. "Dolphin Browser for Android". CNET.
  6. Chris Ziegler. "Dolphin browser for Android adds multitouch support on Droid". Engadget. AOL Inc. Archived from the original on 2011-06-16. Retrieved 2011-05-06.
  7. Hopkins, Brent W. "Dolphin Browser HD Review". PC World. Archived from the original on 2012-08-29. Retrieved 2011-05-06.
  8. Tofel, Kevin C. "8 Reasons Android Owners Should Try Dolphin Browser". Gigaom. Archived from the original on 2012-12-03. Retrieved 2011-05-06.
  9. James; MoboTap (2016-06-08), Dolphin Browser One of Best Performing HTML5 Mobile Browser, AndroidApks.Net, archived from the original on 2016-08-05, retrieved 2016-07-24
  10. "Dolphin Zero Incognito Browser - Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  11. McCullagh, Declan. "Dolphin HD browser snared in security breach". CNET . Retrieved October 30, 2011.
  12. Paul, Ryan (28 October 2011). "Major privacy flaw found in Dolphin HD browser for Android". Ars Technica. Retrieved October 30, 2011.
  13. "Webzine Does Not Store User Data". Dolphin Browser Blog. Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  14. Kovach, Steve (12 Sep 2011). "This New iPad Browser From Dolphin Blows Safari Out Of The Water". Business Insider.
  15. "Best free iPhone and iPad apps of 2011". PC World.
  16. "PC Magazine's Editors' Choice". PCMag.
  17. "Mobile Browser Market Share Worldwide". StatCounter Global Stats. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  18. "Mobile Browser Market Share Worldwide". StatCounter Global Stats. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  19. "Dolphin Mobile Browser". App Store. 2020-10-17. Retrieved 2024-03-27.