Android browsers and the Web

[Brad]

My default Android browser is Dolphin.  I have no idea what rendering engine it uses but every once in awhile I encounter a page that just won't render right.  Its not Flash, but it is like all the layers won't stay on the screen, so I can see the background but the content slides down off the screen.  At these times, I find that Opera and the native Android browser will not render the page right either.

What does work is Firefox for Android which is slow but seems to be better at rendering anything.

I feel like I'm back in 1998 sometimes with IE vs NN browser wars.  Is this just me or does anyone else have these problems? 

[rcjordan]

I have the same problem with Icab on the ipad2. I believe Dolphin and Icab and most other browsers are based on Webkit, which I think is the root of the problem.  I have a hunch that sites relying on heavy use of ajax causes webkit to choke, but that's just a hunch.

[ergophobe]

I used to use Dolphin on the Android, but switched when Firefox mobile got better. If it's been a long time since you've tried it, you might have another look

[Brad]

>ajax >choke

I think that is it. 

Ergophobe, thanks, I think I might just give FF a try as default for awhile.

[rcjordan]

Ultimately, I think the demon is poor memory management.  And ajax overwhelms the already thin ram on tablets  more quickly.

I was reminded this morning that I spoof the browser agent using icab on the ipad2.  By doing so, servers like gmail see me as a desktop and unload both barrels.

[bill]

I'm a bit torn between Opera and Firefox on my Android devices. I have Dolphin, but have never fired it up.

[Rooftop]

I like Dolphin, but I've had occassional issues of late.  I keep thinking about switching to chrome.  Maybe. 

[Brad]

I like the layout of Dolphin.  I also like that I can change the default search engine in Dolphin.  That is something I have not figured out in Opera. Although I also like the layout of Opera for Android.

I'm not liking the layout of FF, but FF is an important backup for when Dolphin gets Ajaxed out.

[bill]

They're talking a lot about Dolphin Zero today. It's their new privacy-focused browser. I will have to give that one a try.

http://thenextweb.com/apps/2013/12/18/dolphin-launches-new-ephemeral-browser-snapchat-generation/

[Brad]

Thanks bill I will give that a try. 

I've always liked Opera too, since I first learned about it at WmW many years ago.  I use it on my computers all the time, but with the mobile editions I can't move past not being able to select my own default search engine since I refuse to use Google unless all else fails.

[Brad]

I went on a scud hunt for new browsers in android.

Mercury browser has been ported over from iOS.

Next Browser, by the Go Launcher people looks really good, phone very only. I'm testing this.

New to me:

UC Browser and Maxthon Browser both have potential.