[Q] A few questions about the stock s4 browser - Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey guys, got my S4 this morning and love it of course, what a great device. I have a few questions about the stock s4 browser though. I do browse quite a lot on daily basis and when I realized ICS browser (+) don't work, I tried the stock browser. Things I don't like on the stock browser:
1. no text reflow
2. no way of syncing bookmarks from my pc (ICS browser + did this, it automatically synced all my bookmarks from my desktop PC's chrome)
I don't think I can live comfortably with this browser. I've tried chrome (randomly changes font size, eww), ics browser and ics browser + (neither of these work on the s4) so far. Basically, I want a browser that does text reflow and syncs bookmarks. Any ideas? Thanks.

Would also like to know this..
Sent from my XT890 using xda app-developers app

1- i think Dolphin have text reflow option
2- Stock browser will sync bookmarks with desktop Chrome
edit : i think there is extension for Chrome desktop to Sync Bookmarks with Dolphins account

yahyoh said:
1- i think Dolphin have text reflow option
2- Stock browser will sync bookmarks with desktop Chrome
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it isn't syncing for me. how do I get it to sync?

Eclap78 said:
it isn't syncing for me. how do I get it to sync?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sign in with the same account u use for Chrome

Couldn't you accomplish all those features you want with Mozilla Firefox?
Sent from my HTC Rezound using Tapatalk 2

yahyoh said:
sign in with the same account u use for Chrome
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there's no sign in that I can see for the browser

Try Dolphin or Opera Mobile.
ICS+ unfortunately only works in ICS (which is a shame because it was my favorite with the thumb controls).
For the sync, goto Settings=>Google (profile)
Tap your Google account (that's synced with Chrome) and make sure Browser is ticked ON.

There's no browser sync option under the google account, only chrome and that is ticked. The stock s4 browser still won't sync the chrome bookmarks. they do work in chrome, but not the "internet" stock browser. Chrome is ok on the s4, I guess, but some websites display some fonts with different sizes on the same page making it all look bad, plus there's no text reflow in mobile chrome.

Must be because of Samsung then. They probably want you to use some weird Samsung sync instead. Figures.
Chrome Mobile is pretty much the worst browser for Android at the moment. It doesn't reflow right all the time, randomly changes text sizes (especially in forums), isn't the smoothest, has input lag and can't use Flash in any iteration. The stock browser is so much better than I don't know why Google's Chrome team can't get it right.

ChronoReverse said:
Must be because of Samsung then. They probably want you to use some weird Samsung sync instead. Figures.
Chrome Mobile is pretty much the worst browser for Android at the moment. It doesn't reflow right all the time, randomly changes text sizes (especially in forums), isn't the smoothest, has input lag and can't use Flash in any iteration. The stock browser is so much better than I don't know why Google's Chrome team can't get it right.
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Click to collapse
yeah, the stock browser is pretty good actually, much better than chrome. but chrome syncs. which is a big plus. other than that, chrome sucks. ics browser worked on my s2 (jellybean) and it's a shame it doesn't work on the s4. let's hope there'll be a new browser soon that does sync, reflow and has a bookmark button next to the address bar. that's all I'm asking from a browser.
A little bit off topic, but any news on people working on some roms for the s4?

Eclap78 said:
yeah, the stock browser is pretty good actually, much better than chrome. but chrome syncs. which is a big plus. other than that, chrome sucks. ics browser worked on my s2 (jellybean) and it's a shame it doesn't work on the s4. let's hope there'll be a new browser soon that does sync, reflow and has a bookmark button next to the address bar. that's all I'm asking from a browser
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thing is, stock browser also syncs with Chrome. But that's the Android stock browser apparently and not the Samsung stock browser for whatever reason.
Dolphin is pretty good and I think there's a Chrome extension to sync it to Dolphin.
Firefox Mobile syncs with Firefox and Opera Mobile syncs with Opera.
My most preferred browser is probably Opera just because it has been consistently smooth and quick while doing things like reflow properly.

ChronoReverse said:
Thing is, stock browser also syncs with Chrome. But that's the Android stock browser apparently and not the Samsung stock browser for whatever reason.
Dolphin is pretty good and I think there's a Chrome extension to sync it to Dolphin.
Firefox Mobile syncs with Firefox and Opera Mobile syncs with Opera.
My most preferred browser is probably Opera just because it has been consistently smooth and quick while doing things like reflow properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when I say stock browser on the s4, I mean the stock samsung galaxy s4 browser. and that one unfortunately doesn't sync with chrome. shame. I've never used dolphin, that's about the only browser I've never tried.

It must be a bug, it has always synced the Chrome destop bookmark.

how often do your bookmarks change? just make shortcuts on one of your home screens imo.
i havent gotten my s4 yet, but on my droid 3 i just use adw launcher & create all the icons i want with the websites i use most, and/or the apps i use, with the icon i like for it. this way i dont have the ugly bookmark icons on the shortcut.

Not to hijack this thread, but how in the world do you go to the home page one has set for the stock Samsung browser? Cannot find a Home button anywhere. Also, cannot get desktop view to stick, has to be rechecked after anytime browser is closed. Anyone know how to make it permanent, other than using a different browser?

Naked browser ftw. Or nb pro the paid version.
Sent from my GT-N7100

Eclap78 said:
Hey guys, got my S4 this morning and love it of course, what a great device. I have a few questions about the stock s4 browser though. I do browse quite a lot on daily basis and when I realized ICS browser (+) don't work, I tried the stock browser. Things I don't like on the stock browser:
1. no text reflow
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Neither do i. Sam sets the text reflow, please.:crying:

someone needs to port the 4.2.2 AOSP browser to s4 touchwiz stat, had been doable for all previous galaxies and touchwiz versions so shouldn't be too much of a hassle.
otherwise both chrome and the sammy stock browser are literally unusable in this day and age...

where did it go the 'open behind this' option on link longpress?? aaaaahhhhhhhh

Related

browser and mail app

hi guys!
i'm just curious: which browser and mail app do you prefer?? excluding chrome and gmail app for ics/jb (i'm on gb)
i'm using gmail app but it's so ugly if compared to ics/jb version..
and dolphin mini browser! it works really good but i miss the sync feature from chrome or jb stock browser..
any suggestion??
thanks!!
I'm running CM7 with GMail & Boat Browser
GMail is quick enough for me but lacks some features like sending out an email to a group which I have made up in gmail but doesn't transfer into contacts for the phone. Anyone with some email app suggestions, I'll be more than willing to listen.
Boat Browser is perfect for me. minimalist browsing but with enough features when I (uncommonly) need them.
The screen is fullscreen for me: no URL bar or any overlay except for a thin blue loading bar atop the screen.
When you press menu you get all the extras right in front of you: URL, search, Tabs!!! for each window, bookmarks etc.
Much of my minimalist browsing is my own preference settings, ie show title bar(URL etc) when scrolling: Off. Always show Title Bar: Off...
Not sure if it has any feature to sync with google and Chrome.
Just grab it and mess with the settings and see if it fits!
Thanks!
I like the tab style in boat browser but I prefers the theme in boat browser mini.. I have to decide!
I originally installed both. If I recall correctly, it was the extra functions of the full version that made me drop the mini.
i'm trying maxthon mobile browser and till now it's the best! give it a try
thanks guys
Try Opera or Opera mini and K9-Mail
kjjjnob said:
Try Opera or Opera mini and K9-Mail
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks but i think opera is too ugly
has k9-mail push mail? because when i tried last years it hadn't..
Using both K9 Mail and Mail Droid. Both cope well with multiple accounts. Mail droid has good rules and notification settings.
Dolphin Browser and trying the latest Dolphin Beta.
I'll be honest, haven't used any other email apps except for the Android Mail and GMail. Both were crap for CM7.
Unfortunately I've been trying out CM10 and there are so many improvements to gmail... still a little too feature cluttered (visually) but at least it has features I needed. Unfortunately CM10 also took away some of my favorite functions that were standard on CM7! I''ll have to make up my mind...
FYI, Boat browser also allows for tons of settings. I just found out I can edit that quick menu bar! Also has volume rocker as an optional "switch between tabs."

Stock Browser

I don't like the Chrome browser that has become "stock" over the stock browser on the N7 because:
Chrome is connected to my Office's Chrome browser so private things i browse on my tablet show up in my search history at work. Plus I want N7 bookmarks to be different than my office bookmarks
The bookmark widgets are horrible on Chrome and much better on stock Android.
Because of this, I ended up rooting and flashing CM10's M1 build, which is somewhat stable...and I love the stock browser's simplicity and love the widget pack that's there by default.
I would like to go back to a stock ROM ....4.2 but want to get rid of Chrome and somehow load the stock browser. Is there a way to ditch Chrome and sideload stock? Need some help/direction.
Thank you!
Why not create another Gmail account just for logging into Chrome at work?
i have the stock android browser on stock 4.2.1. can't remember where i got it, might have been from another site, but i put it in /system/app, set permissions and rebooted, and it works. (requires root)
i agree about the bookmarks. i like how the stock browser works with my Android Pro Widgets bookmark widget.
yogi2010 said:
i have the stock android browser on stock 4.2.1. can't remember where i got it, might have been from another site, but i put it in /system/app, set permissions and rebooted, and it works. (requires root)
i agree about the bookmarks. i like how the stock browser works with my Android Pro Widgets bookmark widget.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the link and instructions. Do i need to figure out a way to uninstall Chrome or can stock and Chrome work side by side. Would prefer to ditch Chrome all together....
If you can't ditch Chrome (easily) what would happen with the bookmarks widget...would it connect to Chrome or Stock?...
Thanks again!
mmoreimi said:
Thanks for the link and instructions. Do i need to figure out a way to uninstall Chrome or can stock and Chrome work side by side. Would prefer to ditch Chrome all together....
If you can't ditch Chrome (easily) what would happen with the bookmarks widget...would it connect to Chrome or Stock?...
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i uninstalled Chrome using Titanium Backup. the bookmark widget you are talking about i believe comes with Chrome so will disappear with Chrome. i haven't tried to connect that widget to the stock browser, so i don't know if it would work. i have used the APW bookmark widget from the market for a long time, and it works great with the stock browser.
Edit: the APW widget also works with Chrome but doesn't seem to fetch thumbnails as well as with the stock browser. If you switch to stock you might have to re-bookmark your sites, unless some are backed up on the Google servers from before!

What browser are you using and why

Tried dolphin browser which has long been my favourite due to desktop mode. But it's been very laggy and stuttering to use on my note 4,as compared to note 3. Can you please share what browser you prefer on the note 4 and why?
I have Dolphin for flash when I need flash,
other than that I use the touchwiz browser because it allows scrolling when hovering the spen at the top and bottom of the screen when chrome doesn't
Chrome has been fine for me. No problems whatsoever.
sent from my galaxy note 4
UC browser for flash
Stock browser for surfing web
Dolphin browser.
Sent from the TermiNOTEr 4!
I didn't know uc browser can play flash..dolphin and firefox is so laggy..
Sent from my SM-N910C using Tapatalk
iznee said:
I didn't know uc browser can play flash..dolphin and firefox is so laggy..
Sent from my SM-N910C using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using Firefox and it doesn't seem laggy. Am I wrong?
Chrome:
- reliable
- password sync
- tab sync (which I use a lot between my Android, desktop and ios devices)
- formats websites perfectly
EDIT: I actually run both Chrome and Chrome beta, each with separate google profiles, and it works wonderfully.
For me dolphin was all round the best. Sadly until they update it it's pretty much useless on note 4. I agree the default browser is best for browsing at the moment with no lag.
Firefox, because I can long-press on an image and share it to Hangouts without having to download the image.
Chrome is the best all round browser IMO
marvi0 said:
For me dolphin was all round the best. Sadly until they update it it's pretty much useless on note 4. I agree the default browser is best for browsing at the moment with no lag.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed i used dolphin for the longest putting up with the crashes and freezing because of the extra features but enough is enough. Stock browser for me on my note 4
pushcush1983 said:
Agreed i used dolphin for the longest putting up with the crashes and freezing because of the extra features but enough is enough. Stock browser for me on my note 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dolphin had an update a few days ago and after updating and turning of java script under settings. It's usable now but had to turn of java script and also set flash to be on demand instead of on always.
I'm tired and just use Chrome. It syncs across all devices and home computers. And now that Amazon deemed android worthy of prime video I'm finally finding flash less important.
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
Opera Beta has text reflow when resizing and a menu along the bottom of the screen, which is good for one-handed operation of a phone with such a big screen.
What's the best browser for flash? I like to watch sports with adthe.net and can't find a browser that work
marvi0 said:
Dolphin had an update a few days ago and after updating and turning of java script under settings. It's usable now but had to turn of java script and also set flash to be on demand instead of on always.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx i may return
I used to be on Dolphin but it's so laggy... Right now I'm using Chrome. They get you hooked because it's most likely your desktop/laptop/tablet browser and it syncs everything....
Opera Next.
Fast, reliable.
Chrome was slow on note 1. Yes it is faster on note 4. But opera is even faster.
Really need a browser that allows desktop view to load always, been using Dolphin but it has been annoying me as it has bugs. Firefox doesn't have tab view like in Chrome or Dolphin. Chrome doesn't have always desktop which is ridiculous as it came installed on my note 12.2, also it's bookmark area just sucks. UC browser HD doesn't work with SwiftKey as auto correct is non existent for some reason. I've tried others, all the popular ones and each one has some usage breaking quirk. I need a browser with desktop view and sync bookmarks and unfortunately I have been forced to use Dolphin for years as its the most complete package out of them all.
One that I've previously used was opera on my LG g2 and it was decent. Just at the time the sync feature was in future plans. Might try it again when I recieve my note 4
Sent from my SM-P900 using XDA Free mobile app

Chrome vs Internet (Samsung Browser)

I just performed a couple of benchmark tests on my newly bought Galaxy S6
Chrome eats dust unfortunately (still me preferred browser for other reasons)
JetStream (browserbench.org)
Chrome: 35951
Internet: 40168
Octane (chromium.github.io)
Chrome: 6335
Internet: 8269
Speedometer (browserbench.org)
Chrome: 14.4
Internet: 19.0
Browsermark (web.basemark.com)
Chrome: 1724
Internet: 2369
Photos here:
http://imgur.com/a/F8Ywq
I love chrome but even Firefox destroys it on my wife's nexus 5...
Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
Prefer Samsung stock browser over all others as it is the most optimized browser with the device
Chrome isn't fast, efficient or feature-rich, but it still wins over every other browser for me because of the sync feature. I switch phones a lot and not always to Samsung devices, so it has to be Chrome. I also use Chrome on my PC and need to have my tabs and stuff all synced up for the work I do.
Sevael said:
Chrome isn't fast, efficient or feature-rich, but it still wins over every other browser for me because of the sync feature. I switch phones a lot and not always to Samsung devices, so it has to be Chrome. I also use Chrome on my PC and need to have my tabs and stuff all synced up for the work I do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The sync is the only feature which currently keeps me using chrome on the PC (already switched back to default on the S6), otherwise the latest Chrome versions are resource hungry and laggy.
Chrome can't be used with a single hand since they made it a point to put the buttons to the farthest places possible. Why put the home button to left-up? Do you have something against people pressing that button?
The default browser however is very user friendly and fast. It's my choice.
chrome got better actually with updates but still not optimized for performance nor for battery life or memory usage.....i still use it for syncing ( bookmarks , passwords etc.. )
I don't use Chrome for one main reason, high battery usage. and I can't use Samsung Browser because I'm on Verizon. I use CM but would like to try another browser out
Javelin is pretty good!
Sent fra min SM-G925F via Tapatalk
eric150 said:
I use CM but would like to try another browser out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using CM Browser too, but I'm open to other recommendations.
I'm using lightning browser+. Pretty minimal, but also has adblock.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk
midreestaj said:
Prefer Samsung stock browser over all others as it is the most optimized browser with the device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I prefer stock browser, but avalid alternative is doplhin.
just for knowledge, is there a way for sync chrome desktop bookmarks with stock browser on S6?
lamperouge999 said:
I prefer stock browser, but avalid alternative is doplhin.
just for knowledge, is there a way for sync chrome desktop bookmarks with stock browser on S6?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm actually blown away by the stock Samsung browser. I was using Dolphin, but the stock browser has built-in adblock, full-page browsing and is faster than any other browser I've used. I honestly couldn't be happier with it.
I use chrome with chromer. Best combo available
Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
Stock browser with adblock enabled is the best for me at the moment!
I'm on MM btw
Got a question can we sync google with the stock browser ie so I can use all my saved passwords/bookmarks.....?
Sent from my SM-G920F using XDA Free mobile app
What keeps me using the stock browser is the fingerprint authentication for passwords for websites. None better.
nolimit78 said:
What keeps me using the stock browser is the fingerprint authentication for passwords for websites. None better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the reason it works so well is that it's dead simple, but everything it has works absolutely perfectly. Full screen, ad-free, blazing fast.
I think I mentioned this in another thread... what keeps me from using Samsung's browser is that it doesn't open new tabs in the background! Completely baffling.
episode96 said:
I think I mentioned this in another thread... what keeps me from using Samsung's browser is that it doesn't open new tabs in the background! Completely baffling.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is, you're right. I actually use Flynx for that, with the Samsung browser as my secondary. It's a perfect combination.

What browser are you using and why.

Hello we spend most ofof our time using our phones to browse the net. I can't remember when last I used my laptop. Can we please share what browser we use and why. I have always used chrome Dev as it's easily since across my devices with regards to passwords and bookmarks. I also think that Google Chrome Dev is fast and really smooth. I would be very interestedinterested to hear thosethose who use the s6 with the stock Samsung browser and what attracts you to it thanks.
I use multiple combinations but 2 stand out from the others. Mozilla Firefox and Chrome re those. They both are browsers that sync passwords, bookmarks, and saved pages, but firefox does have a better security framework than chrome since firefox has been working on this track the longest. So in my opinion firefox is the best browser to ise.
Sent from my SM-G925P using Tapatalk
Uc browser for the add blocker and speed.
Opera because I it has Opera Turbo, nice interface and good performance. Also, it syncs with my PC.
I use as few Google services as possible so no Chrome for me
I use #NoChromo, a modded Chrome, for the sake of ad block.
I use Firefox Aurora only (nightly)
I use the stock browser just for the fact i can use my fringerprint to log in to sites, no more forgotten passwords
It's not very fast but I use Dolphin Browser cos it has AdBlock and Flash support (you still need Flash to view some pages). I think it's the only browser that support that both features.
i use chrome and firefox, but chrome si a little bit faster. i use adaway to remove ads and banners (need root)
Next browser for its UI, is speed, and the way it handles tabs and translation. Also very swishy, built for swiping!
Stock Samsung browser for speed and stability.
Opera for reliability.
Firefox just because Firefox.
Sent from my SM-N910H using XDA Premium HD app
Chrome with AdAway
You have to be rooted for that though

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