Apple Allows 3rd Party Web Browsers in App Store

MacRumors · Jan 13, 2009, 11:24 PM

Over the past 24 hours, Apple has begun to approve 3rd party web browsing applications for the iPhone. A number of new web browsing apps have suddenly appeared with original submission dates ranging as far back as October.

While Apple has made no official acknowledgements, it appears these applications were likely in a special queue awaiting for approval. We had seen a similar "group" delays with other categories of apps. The most notable example involved flatulence applications such as Pull My Finger and iFart Mobile. Once Apple decided to allow the category within the App Store, a backlog of apps quickly appeared.

Web browsing applications were previously charged with "duplicating functionality" of other iPhone apps and was felt to be the reason why Opera would never be approved by Apple.

A partial list of these new applications include:

- Edge Browser (Free) - No loss of screen real estate to the address or navigation bars.
- Incognito ($1.99) - Now you can browse without leaving a history of any kind.
- WebMate:Tabbed Browser ($0.99) - Web Mate simplifies browsing by queuing up all the links you click on, then allowing you to view them one by one when you're ready.
- Shaking Web ($1.99) - adds a sophisticated algorithm to compensate small hand shaking to allow for easier reading.

This could open the door for mobile versions of prominent web browsers such as Opera and Firefox, though there remain other SDK restrictions that could prevent full-featured versions of those browsers from appearing. Still, Apple appears to be loosening some early restrictions they had applied to the App Store approval process.

Article Link: Apple Allows 3rd Party Web Browsers in App Store

amac4me · Jan 13, 2009, 11:25 PM

Nice development! I wonder if Firefox will find its way onto the App Store and then the iPhone.

Bernie-Mac · Jan 13, 2009, 11:27 PM

Awesome!! I cant wait for Firefox!

wakka092 · Jan 13, 2009, 11:28 PM

It's good to see Apple relax its acceptance rules.

puffnstuff · Jan 13, 2009, 11:28 PM

All Apple needs to do now is release an updated version of the SDK that allows apps to show up on an external screen.

ravenvii · Jan 13, 2009, 11:29 PM

... So this means someone can develop an browser with Flash built-in?

levitynyc · Jan 13, 2009, 11:30 PM

wow, webmate looks awesome

iParis · Jan 13, 2009, 11:31 PM

These aren't browsers like you'd see on a desktop.
They're basically just skins/plugins for Safari Mobile.

NT1440 · Jan 13, 2009, 11:32 PM

As someone said in the other thread, this is essentially webkit/safari with different UI thrown over it.

ltldrummerboy · Jan 13, 2009, 11:32 PM

Hooray! Here's to mobile FF with bookmark syncing!

mugen76 · Jan 13, 2009, 11:32 PM

Please Give Me Flash.

levitynyc · Jan 13, 2009, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by levitynyc

wow, webmate looks awesome

I just downloaded it.....wow it is awesome.

Very cool app

Me1000 · Jan 13, 2009, 11:33 PM

hasn't 1Password been doing this for a while now? If these are indeed just webkit browsers....

TuffLuffJimmy · Jan 13, 2009, 11:33 PM

YYYYYYEEEEEEEEESSSSSSS

Hopefully a good version of Opera or chrome will be on the phone soon.

Me1000 · Jan 13, 2009, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TuffLuffJimmy

YYYYYYEEEEEEEEESSSSSSS

Hopefully a good version of Opera or chrome will be on the phone soon.

a version of Chrome on the Mac would be nice to see first...

TuffLuffJimmy · Jan 13, 2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Me1000

hasn't 1Password been doing this for a while now? If these are indeed just webkit browsers....

1Password is basically just a skin over safari, much like the browser built into various twitter clients. I'm not sure what the differences here are, or what rules in the SDK Apple had to change to allow these.

dante@sisna.com · 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravenvii

... So this means someone can develop an browser with Flash built-in?

I would not be surprised to see this. I have a friend who uses a browser on his Blackjack--SkyFire (beta) -- that plays flash perfectly.

twoodcc · Jan 13, 2009, 11:38 PM

well this should make a lot of people happy. i, for one, do not have a problem using safari on my iphone though

Me1000 · Jan 13, 2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TuffLuffJimmy

1Password is basically just a skin over safari, much like the browser built into various twitter clients. I'm not sure what the differences here are, or what rules in the SDK Apple had to change to allow these.

exactly, which from what I understand is exactly what these browsers are...

Can anyone shed some light on this?

juanster · Jan 13, 2009, 11:39 PM

man can't wait for firefox and thunderbird...if they allow mail apps too...

iParis · Jan 13, 2009, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juanster

man can't wait for firefox and thunderbird...if they allow mail apps too...

Email apps have already been denied.

dukebound85 · Jan 13, 2009, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amac4me

Nice development! I wonder if Firefox will find its way onto the App Store and then the iPhone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernie-Mac

Awesome!! I cant wait for Firefox!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltldrummerboy

Hooray! Here's to mobile FF with bookmark syncing!

FF has said they wont make a mobile version for iphone
http://www.wired.com/techbiz/people/...16-08/ff_lilly

who knows, maybe their outlook will change now with this move by apple

PlaceofDis · Jan 13, 2009, 11:43 PM

be interesting to see what comes of this, as in if any other rendering engines will be ported to the iPhone.

another thing i hope we start to see is other mail applications.

randomusername · Jan 13, 2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iParis

Email apps have already been denied.

And so were web browsers, right? Sounds like they're loosening up and maybe will allow more stuff.

Warbrain · Jan 13, 2009, 11:49 PM

These aren't web browsers - these are different UIs for WebKit/Safari on the iPhone. It's still the same engine as before. When Apple begins to allow new engines then Firefox and Opera could possibly come. But that's not going to happen.

Jan 13, 2009, 11:24 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Apple Allows 3rd Party Web Browsers in App Store Over the past 24 hours, Apple has begun to approve 3rd party web browsing applications for the iPhone. A number of new web browsing apps have suddenly appeared with original submission dates ranging as far back as October. While Apple has made no official acknowledgements, it appears these applications were likely in a special queue awaiting for approval. We had seen a similar "group" delays with other categories of apps. The most notable example involved flatulence applications such as Pull My Finger and iFart Mobile. Once Apple decided to allow the category within the App Store, a backlog of apps quickly appeared. Web browsing applications were previously charged with "duplicating functionality" of other iPhone apps and was felt to be the reason why Opera would never be approved by Apple. A partial list of these new applications include: - Edge Browser (Free) - No loss of screen real estate to the address or navigation bars. - Incognito ($1.99) - Now you can browse without leaving a history of any kind. - WebMate:Tabbed Browser ($0.99) - Web Mate simplifies browsing by queuing up all the links you click on, then allowing you to view them one by one when you're ready. - Shaking Web ($1.99) - adds a sophisticated algorithm to compensate small hand shaking to allow for easier reading. This could open the door for mobile versions of prominent web browsers such as Opera and Firefox, though there remain other SDK restrictions that could prevent full-featured versions of those browsers from appearing. Still, Apple appears to be loosening some early restrictions they had applied to the App Store approval process. Article Link: Apple Allows 3rd Party Web Browsers in App Store

Jan 13, 2009, 11:25 PM	#2
amac4me macrumors 65816 Join Date: Apr 2005	Nice development! I wonder if Firefox will find its way onto the App Store and then the iPhone. __________________ Switch To A Mac http://switchtoamac.com

Jan 13, 2009, 11:28 PM	#4
wakka092 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2007	It's good to see Apple relax its acceptance rules. __________________ Formul8: Formulas for math, science, and chemistry, $0.99 Pocket Theorems: 130+ geometry theorems, $0.99

Jan 13, 2009, 11:28 PM	#5
puffnstuff macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2008	All Apple needs to do now is release an updated version of the SDK that allows apps to show up on an external screen. __________________ iBook G4, Macbook, iPod touch 1g SOON: MBA Tablet

Jan 13, 2009, 11:29 PM	#6
ravenvii macrumors 68040 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Melenkurion Skyweir	... So this means someone can develop an browser with Flash built-in? __________________ You spoony bard!

Jan 13, 2009, 11:27 PM	#3
Bernie-Mac Banned Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sin City, NV	Awesome!! I cant wait for Firefox!

Jan 13, 2009, 11:30 PM	#7
levitynyc macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2006	wow, webmate looks awesome

Jan 13, 2009, 11:31 PM	#8
iParis macrumors 68030 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New Mexico	These aren't browsers like you'd see on a desktop. They're basically just skins/plugins for Safari Mobile. __________________ -2G 16GB iPod touch 3.0 (Jailbreak) -Keyboard w/ Numeric Keypad & Mighty Mouse - eMachines AMD Athlon 1.6GHz / 2GB ram / 320GB HD / Win7 RC

Jan 13, 2009, 11:32 PM	#9
NT1440 macrumors 601 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rochester	As someone said in the other thread, this is essentially webkit/safari with different UI thrown over it.

Jan 13, 2009, 11:32 PM	#10
ltldrummerboy macrumors 65816 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kenai Peninsula	Hooray! Here's to mobile FF with bookmark syncing! __________________ New to AT&T (30 days or less)? Want a $25 credit towards your next bill? PM me and we can both save!

Jan 13, 2009, 11:32 PM	#11
mugen76 macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2007	Please Give Me Flash. __________________ ibook g4 \| pbook g4 \| quicksilver g4 \| macbook pro 2.6/4gb \| mac pro dual quadcore 2.8/8gb ipod 1G, nano 2G, ipod photo, ipod touch, iphone 3G

Jan 13, 2009, 11:33 PM	#13
Me1000 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jul 2006	hasn't 1Password been doing this for a while now? If these are indeed just webkit browsers.... __________________ TimeTable: The Freelancer's Tool

Jan 13, 2009, 11:33 PM	#14
TuffLuffJimmy macrumors 601 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, OR	YYYYYYEEEEEEEEESSSSSSS Hopefully a good version of Opera or chrome will be on the phone soon. __________________ "Next PM I get from you about this, and it gets posted as my signature." --LTD

Jan 13, 2009, 11:38 PM	#18
twoodcc macrumors 603 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Right side of wrong	well this should make a lot of people happy. i, for one, do not have a problem using safari on my iphone though __________________ tville pump Smarter than the average bear

Jan 13, 2009, 11:39 PM	#20
juanster macrumors 68020 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: toronto	man can't wait for firefox and thunderbird...if they allow mail apps too... __________________ Macbook.C2D.Video iPod.iPhone.Canon Rebel XT Flickr MRoogle

Jan 13, 2009, 11:43 PM	#23
PlaceofDis macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chicago.	be interesting to see what comes of this, as in if any other rendering engines will be ported to the iPhone. another thing i hope we start to see is other mail applications. __________________ dim my eyes on the waves of confessions... SpringWarmCold

Jan 13, 2009, 11:49 PM	#25
Warbrain macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Chicago, IL	These aren't web browsers - these are different UIs for WebKit/Safari on the iPhone. It's still the same engine as before. When Apple begins to allow new engines then Firefox and Opera could possibly come. But that's not going to happen. __________________ WARBRAIN Twitter \| Blog MacBook, 2.1 GHz C2D, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD iPhone 3G 8 GB

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