Dolphin Browser

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Dolphin (file manager).
Dolphin Browser
Dolphin-browser-icon.png
Dolphin Browser Screenshot.jpeg
Screenshot of Dolphin Browser on an iPhone 7
Developer(s)MoboTap Inc. (subsidiary of Changyou.com Limited)[1][2]
Stable release(s) [±]
iOS

10.0.6 (November 24, 2020; 15 months ago (2020-11-24)[3])

Android
12.2.9 (August 12, 2021; 7 months ago (2021-08-12)[4])
EngineDual engines with Webkit and Dolphin Jetpack (based on Webkit)
Operating systemAndroid, iOS
TypeMobile browser
LicenseFreeware
Websitedolphin.com

Dolphin Browser is a web browser for the Android and iOS operating systems developed by MoboTap. 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[]

  • Tabbed browsing – users can open and switch between web pages with multiple tabs either at the top of the screen[5] or as thumbnail buttons at the bottom.
  • Dolphin Sonar – users can use voice to search, share and navigate.
  • Gesture browsing – users can draw characters to call websites. Users can use preloaded gestures for popular websites or create custom gestures as needed.[5]
  • Sync – across devices and desktop browsers using Firefox or Chrome extension.
  • Webzine – displays web content in a magazine-style format, serving content from over 300 sources, and caching content to be available offline.[5]

Versions[]

Both iOS and Android versions are freeware.[5] There is an advanced 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 Jetpack. In December 2013, Dolphin Zero, a privacy-focused version, was released.

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

Reception[]

Since its initial release for Android, Dolphin has received generally positive reviews.[13] The Android and iOS versions have been lauded for their gesture-based functionality, speed and ease-of-use.[14] Business Insider claims "Dolphin Browser blows Safari out of the water."[15] As of December 2021, the browser holds an approval rate of 78% on rating aggregator site Rouvou.[16]

The app was named one of PC Magazine's Best Free iPhone and iPad Apps of 2011,[17] was a PC Magazine Editors Choice in 2012,[18] and was named to the CNet 100 in 2011.[19]

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