It is the revolution of web browsers; they rule internet now. Browsers have evolved so much from what we had seen during the days of IE6. Now Firefox, Chrome, Opera, IE are on war to prove who is the best. They try different ways to win the heart of users; Firefox took a great leap by introducing the ‘panaroma’ feature – focus on multitasking, chrome gets appreciation for its fluid design – focus on simplicity & ease of use, Opera and IE has browser stability on priority – focus on robustness.
During this evolution, some browsers tries to standout from others by introducing a new feature which had never been available in any of their counterparts. But the other browsers instead wait for the users comments on the new feature implemented, if appreciated, they implement the same feature in theirs, may be in a better way. The browser who introduced that feature first might even loose its credit in due course. User is forced to switch from their favorite browser for a ‘single feature’ they found useful in the ‘other’ browser. Once they completely switch and get used to the new browser, the old one brings out the same feature plus few bonus features. This cycle never ends. Firefox introduced tabs and extensions when IE did not have in them, people were attracted to it and finally switched to firefox. Then the light weight chrome came with Tab tearing, web apps, new tab page with speed dial and many other features, made few users to make chrome as their default browser. Firefox then inherited few of chromes’ features, syncing and expose like tab candy/panaroma effects. We don’t have to switch browsers just for UI features, and if at all we do, it should be seamless.
This article tries to identify best features in each of the browser and the features we expect to be part any modern browser. Here, we try to baseline few ideas, those ideas which takes browser design to the next level.
Browser Main Screen (Mockup)
MOCKUP - Main Screen - Click over image to zoom
