Advanced Browser app brings Tabs, Search and more to the TouchPad 23
TouchPad owners everywhere should rejoice over this latest creation by MakleSoft, the guys who brought us SecuStore 2 and Plancastic, that will be due out sometime next week. Advanced Browser (which we were given an exclusive preview of from the developers) brings enhancements to the TouchPad web browsing experience that are sure to tickle the fancy of more than a few tablet owners. With tabbed browsing, the ability to search for words on the page, send the current website to printer, visual bookmarks for the home page, integration with Instapaper and automatically filling fields on a page, this new app is going to be a favorite once it's finally released.
In our first look at the app, which we were reminded is still not feature-complete and will receive updates in the future, we really loved the interface and advanced features. Tabbed browsing isn't completely finished yet, due to a bug that is keeping pages from loading properly, but for us it was a welcome replacement to the lack of advanced gestures in webOS 3.0 that allow switching between browser cards quickly on webOS smartphones. And with how often we need to find a specific comment or post in our forums, it's nice to have the search button readily available at all times in the top right corner. Just type the word or phrase you want to find, and Advanced Browser directs your attention to it by moving the page to the right spot and highlighting relevant text.
The app is built off of the same rendering engine as the existing Web browser that comes by default with your device, meaning it has the same full web browsing experience that we know and love on our TouchPad. Plus, it looks pretty darn good, with a larger "Back" button for easier finger-tapping and a row of buttons to the right of the URL bar that make a number of features very easy to get to.
MakleSoft wanted to sweeten the deal for people interested in getting Advanced Browser early on, too. For users who bought their other app, SecuStore 2 for the TouchPad, you will not only be able to use both apps to auto-fill long forms from websites, but you can also get the new browser for free through an App Catalog Promo Code once it's released. Simply leave a review in the App Catalog of SecuStore 2 to prove your purchase and email contact@maklesoft.com to claim your code, and they'll take care of the rest.
You can see more screenshots of the app and a few other cool features by clicking through the break below, and then keep your eyes open here in the future for a full review and announcement from the developers once the app has been officially released to the catalog.
23 Comments
In six months I hope we can look back and say this was the start of a flood of quality apps. This looks like a quality App on paper and hopefully it proves to be that way once released.
Glimpse, by Inglorious Apps, a great app. You shold check it out, if you haven't.
Already purchased Glimpse about two days ago. Nice program with real multi-tasking to show off WebOS. I should have mentioned it above also!
I wish H/P would court opera mini and make sure both netflix and opera mini comes to Opal. DeWitt do it!
First we all wanted Kerris to bring apps, and now that Kerris has proved he is incompetent (Epocrates app anyone?) we all want DeWitt to bring apps. Are we gonna ask Leo to bring the apps next?
I don't see why on earth HP would waste time trying to bring a browser that uses a different rendering engine into their OS that is heavily based off webkit.
These are still great browsers though, and HP would lose nothing by bringing them over, they would gain in app choice actually.
Priority wise another browser is lower than NetFlix. HP needs to plug the big app holes first, not repetition. Other developers should try to bring better competing Apps, not HP. I want HP to write all the other unique Apps.
Bah on the naysayers! Easy to be negative, hard to be constructive!
This is GREAT news! I will gladly pay for both of the apps, no promo code necessary, to promote quality work like this. A developer who sees a need/desire in the user community and then creates a quality app for it. YAY! Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou! Can't wait to get my greasy fingerprints all over it!
wash ur hands lol
Hi. My name is Andrew and I don't care a white about tabbed browsing. I'm one of 3 people in the world, I realize, but there you go.
Meh, I guess you still have the stock browser with cards.
It's great news, but - and this is no offense to great work from Maklesoft - I think HP needs to either buy this app out or put them out of business by stealing every enhancement.
iOS and Android have (or have announced in the next upgrade) most of these capabilities in their respective native tablet browser. So when new customers are trying out all of these products in a store, WebOS' native NON-tabbed browser is going to come off as lacking, IMHO.
Meh. I think having the choice is what's fantastic. Safari's operation has always been klutzy. Tab browsing with the browser on Honeycomb was nice. But there is also elegance in stacks, and just having all the web browser cards laid out. I can see myself using all three "modes".
Well, I look at it this way. Every major desktop browser is tabbed, and NOBODY opens a bunch of different windows for each website on Windows.
Ergo, if you're going to promise a desktop-class browsing experience, you need to have tabbed browsing. Honeycomb has it. Safari will have it as of iOS 5. WebOS needs it.
My son actually choose the iPad2 over the TouchPad in large part due to the way the browsers can be displayed in thumbnail view. I still don't get it myself but there you go. Different strokes for different folks.
I'm sure that's not the only reason he chose the ipad 2.....
Next, we need a homebrew patch to hide the app icons we will no longer need, as more app replacements find their way into the Catalog.
LA, great point but even more so,we need a patch to enable default browser editing. It is there, but doesn't work. Is it simply commented out?
Why don't you just use dolphin browser hd? Oh wait.....
That looks great!
Still haven't used TouchPad or any other tablet so far but wouldn't it be logical to have the commands on the bottom part of the display?
I already hate if I have to go tapping something at the top of the display on my Pre thus I can only imagine how much worse that could be with a device the size of TouchPad...
I wouldn't mind if the whole top toolbar including the address bar could be re-allocated to the bottom, if user wishes to do so. That might allow for a much better experience to the users who feel like me.
Still waiting for my promo code.
Anybody else get theirs?
Good marketing plan; but, lacking in enhanced features which were described. Also experienced the same TouchPad reboot received with the standard browser when accessing heavily iphone customized web sites.
Hopefully, the money earned will support completion of the enhancements and include the ability to transfer bookmarks and change the user agent if required.