Browser wars
With Yahoo! launching its newest web browser, Axis, Google knocking out new versions of Chrome at an alarming rate, Firefox and Microsoft are hanging on for dear life. So whose side are you on?
Google Chrome
As much as it pains for a Firefox user to admit, Google Chrome, as of May 2012, is the most popular web browser in the world according to StatCounter. It also suggested that Google Android’s built-in browser is now the most popular programme on mobile phones. Regardless of Chrome’s popularity, it is quite evident that Google has managed to produce a very efficient application which is extremely fast, easier to use and one can customise it using the different themes available. It also takes in lesser memory per tab and even if the tab crashes, you can still continue with your other browsing activities. Of course it doesn’t have as many plugins as Firefox but it reduces the hassle of updating your browser as there are automatic updates.
Mozilla Firefox
A lot of people swear by Firefox when it all boils down to using an efficient and creative web browser. As of May 2012, Firefox has approximately 25% of worldwide usage share of web browsers, making it the third most widely used web browser. It has long been the head of the Mozilla browser family and even with Chrome in the market, it still remains the prime rival for Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. With a massive number of plugins, it allowed geeks to create, add and share their own content: extensions (their main attraction) and themes
Microsoft Internet Explorer
What was probably the most widely used browser a decade ago is facing the heat from Chrome and Firefox with its newest version 9, smarting other browsers with epic new changes. It has been resurrected from recycle bins and stands at a respectable position, earning a sweet spot in this legendary league. It takes its inspiration from Chrome and combines the search box within the location box making navigation to sites and viewing of browsing history, a simple task.
Apple Safari
With Safari launching its newest version 5, not much has changed except for some neat features. With a slight improvement in performance, Safari is still touted to be the best browser for MAC. It’s lack of Aero support brings it down on the list for a Windows user as it is comparatively slower than the other browsers. The best feature yet in v5 is the Safari Reader, an adaptation of bookmarklet “Readability”. While scoring 100% in Acid3 test, surfing has been a near pleasure on Safari.
Opera
Once a paid software, Opera till date is the most feature rich browser ever. With a candy interface combined with speed, security and lightness, it gives us a rich browsing experience. Opera was one of the pioneers of tabbed browsing but with the introduction of Tab stacking, working with multiple tabs has become a whole lot easier. Despite the fact that it offers a whole lot of interesting and pioneering features, Opera does not have an extensive backup from the user community— unlike other top browsers such as IE, Safari, Chrome and Firefox. Even though it is slowly losing ground in the desktop environment, it still has a good hold in the mobile space.
Popularity meter
- Google Chrome – 1
- Mozilla Firefox – 2
- Internet Explorer – 3
- Apple Safari – 4
Category: Internet, Science & Tech
About the Author (Author Profile)
Desperately in search of inner peace. Loves traveling. Will write for money. Picky with food but loves her pastas and South-Indian thalis. Highly entertaining. Loves watching gossipy TV shows and good looking vampires. Would like to be abducted by aliens, at least once. Also I am not fat, I am just big-boned
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Yahoo!’s new Axis browser is one of the most innovative evolutions in the browser market. It isn’t a contender for the desktop market but shines in iOS, where the Axis app is faster/better than Safari for iPhones and iPads. It’s bookmarking functionality doesn’t compare to iCrumz.com but a valiant effort!