Web Browsers

Opera Mini adds new features, including opening links from other apps via iOS 8 extension

The Opera Mini web browser for the iPhone and iPad by Opera Software has received a much-needed iOS 8 extension and a few other features in its latest 9.1 update. The extension makes it easy to open links in Opera Mini from other apps using the multi-purpose iOS Share menu.

After enabling the new ‘Open in Opera Mini’ extension in the Share menu, you'll be able to open links in Opera Mini from other apps, including browsers like Safari and Chrome.

“This is especially helpful when you want to jump from Safari to Opera Mini to save on mobile data,” developers noted alluding to their browser's Turbo mode which compresses web pages to cut down on your cellular data usage.

Google’s new Bookmark Manager surfaces in latest Chrome Beta

Following Wednesday's release of a stable version of the 64-bit edition of Google Chrome for Mac, the Internet giant issued a new version of Chrome Beta for Mac, Windows and Linux that includes an all-new Bookmark Manager feature that previously leaked via screenshots (it was called Stars).

With Bookmark Manager, it will be a lot easier for Chrome fans to manage their saved bookmarks, delete unwanted ones, file them under folders and more.

And when creating a new bookmark, Chrome will let you select an image and add a note or snippet so you can find it more quickly later. “Google will also suggest a folder if it seems like it could be a fit,” the team said in a blog post.

64-bit version of Google Chrome for Mac launches

After releasing 64-bit Chrome for Windows and a beta version of Chrome for Mac with 64-bit support back in August, Google today announced that the app is out of beta and available to everyone.

Public release of the 64-bit Chrome for Mac edition marks the end of the road for 32-bit NPAPI (Netscape Plug-in APIs) plugins as the Internet company now requires developers to provide their extensions with 64-bit support.

Most users shouldn’t be affected, however, because the vast majority of plugins and extensions are readily available in both 32-bit and 64-bit form. Chrome 39.0.2171.65 (Google, we need to talk about version numbers!) also includes more than three dozen under the hood changes for stability and performance and comes with a set of new APIs allowing extension developers to take advantage of new features.

Opera Mini 9 adds Video Boost, promises less buffering and data usage

Opera has released an update for its iOS web browser, Opera Mini, bringing the app to version 9.0. There isn't much of a change log, but there is a significant new video compression feature Opera is calling Video Boost.

Built on Skyfire's video optimization tech, Video Boost aims to lessen both buffering and data usage while streaming video content. It accomplishes this by quickly shrinking down video data before it lands on your device.

This Chrome extensions lets you open Google Drive files in compatible Mac apps

Google on Wednesday announced a new extension for the Chrome browser which makes it easy to open files stored in your Google Drive in compatible applications on your Mac or Windows PC.

“This includes apps like advanced image and video editing software, accounting and tax programs, or 3D animation and design tools,” wrote the search firm in a blog post.

Simply right-click on the file from Google Drive and select “Open with” to see a list of applications on your computer that can open it. The extension is called “Application Launcher for Drive” and you can download it for free in the Chrome Web Store.

Google Chrome gains iPhone 6 support, ability to download and open files in Google Drive

The Internet giant Google on Tuesday issued a small update to its Chrome for iOS browser, adding better support for the “Retina HD” iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus screens.

The free download also enables another interesting feature — the ability to download and open files directly in the Google Drive application, if installed on your device. Finally, this release includes customary bug fixes and stability improvements.

Google Chrome is available free in the App Store.

Alternative iOS web browser iCab optimizes for iPhone 6 and iOS 8, 1Password extension and more

iCab Mobile by German developer Alexander Clauss used to be my favorite browser alternative for the iPhone and iPad. Yesterday, Clauss pushed a substantial update bringing out support for Apple's iOS 8 software and the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus “Retina HD” display sizes, along with several improvements such as Bing and Waibo search suggestions, new Bluetooth keyboard features, the ability to use 1Password or Dashlane as external password manager and more.

This update is free for existing users of iCab Mobile.

Google updates Chrome for iOS with support for App Extensions in Share menu

The Internet giant Google on Monday issued a minor update to its Chrome browser for the iPhone and iPad adding support for the new third-party App Extensions in iOS 8 using the multi-purpose Share sheet.

This allows you to download apps which advertise their own extensions and actions to the system, making them available in any app that makes use of the standard Share menu, Chrome included.

This edition of Google's web browser also includes iOS 8 compatibility as well as stability improvements and bug fixes.

64-bit Chrome for Mac in the works, test drive the beta now

The search giant Google yesterday posted the first beta of the upcoming Chrome for Mac browser with 64-bit support, following the public release of 64-bit Chrome for Windows earlier this week.

The 64-bit edition of Chrome for Mac was first made available for testing purposes to early adopters earlier this month, via the Mac edition of Chrome Canary.

For those unfamiliar with it, Chrome Canary is an experimental Chrome version for testing upcoming new features in their earliest form, and before they make their way into the beta and then the stable channel.

Mac users on the Chrome beta channel should have been updated to a new 64-bit version of Chrome 38 for Mac. If not, you can download your copy direct from Google and start reaping the benefits of 64-bit browsing.

Fantastical 2 for iPad gains Dolphin browser integration, list/reminder improvements and more

Flexibits has issued an update to its Fantastical for iPad today, bringing our a few new useful features and enhancements.

In addition to half a dozen bug fixes and various other fixes and improvements, Fantastical 2.1.1 includes support for Dolphin Browser [free download] and comes with improvements to the app's handling of lists and reminders.

Specifically, your list will finally show reminders that have an alert time but not a due date.

And if you use iOS automation via URL schemes, you can tell other apps to open reminders directly in Fantastical by taking advantage of a new URL handler 'fantastical2://show?view=reminders'...

Google updates Chrome for iOS with Cast support

Following a relatively quiet period when it comes to Chrome for iOS, Google is again demonstrating willingness to continue advancing its popular iPhone and iPad browser with useful new capabilities.

The new Google Chrome version 36.0.1985.49 is now available to download in the App Store, bringing out Cast support for websites that have implemented integration with Cast-enabled devices.

Furthermore, this edition also includes stability improvements and bug fixes and a slightly tweaked app icon for your Home screen...