[Q] Does your stock browser suck? - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I'm using a Galaxy S II I9100G with DZKH4 stock firmware, Android 2.3.4. I'm finding that the browser sucks. Firstly, there's no Home in the menu. I can set a URL as Home in the options, but while I'm browsing, there's no way jump to Home other than opening a new window. Then the bookmark function is broken. I marked a page as a bookmark, but when I click the bookmark button, it doesn't show. In fact, the bookmarks list is totally empty! If I tried to re-add the same page as a bookmark, it says that the bookmark already exist, but I can't find it!
So the question is, why does it suck, and is there anyway to fix it, or even replace the stock browser with a better version? I like the stock browser on my (now dead) HTC Desire, is it possible to put that one into my Galaxy S II?

I use Dolphin Browser HD, free on the market. Lots of addons and highly customizable.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

I like the stock browser, Well the old one with bounce and not the new one with crappy overscroll.
Only thing i wish it had was tabbed browsing. I know Dolphin has that but i dint really like that one.
As for the OP bookmark issue ive no idea why that is happening, it certainly shouldnt be. Have you tried clearing the cache/data in settings?

use opera browser, dolphin hd they are good ones from the market..but for me i love my stock cant live with out it....and if you press menu button while in browser you can get options to make the browser the way you want.....i cant live without it

I switched to Opera mobile from day 1. The stock browser doesn't reflow text when zoomed in, make reading articles a pain in the butt.

Related

[Q] GTab with Vegan best browser?

Is there a better browser for the Vegan 5.1 release? The Facebook website in particular has a problem with the bottom-docked chat bar scroll up the screen and getting in the way of games and posts.
Thanks!
Jim
I have seen the problem your talking about on Facebook. I haven't used any other browsers on it besides the default, an old version of fennec and the crashy veiwsonic one. When I get back home ill check out how fennec does on Facebook. I know dolphins a popular browser but I've never tried it. Does anyone know how it does on the gtab?
Decided to use my precious limited data on my Htc Aria, Xda app
I've been really happy with Dolphin HD on Vegan 5.1. The up and down gesture controls are pretty helpful.
There is also skyfire and xscope
Okay, I installed Dolphin on my Gtablet. It seems like a nice browser and a little more adapt for tablets than the regular android browser in froyo. It still dosnt seem to be better with the facebook chat bar. To tell you the truth I wasnt expecting the bar to work at all in any browser in android when i fist got my gtab. Im hoping for better browsers soon. If you take a look at the demo of the moto Xoom, It looks like they might have put chrome in honeycomb, if so it would be much better than any browser for android right now.
They are all sorta lacking
Skyfire has a nice feature in being able to easily switch between mobile and desktop rendering of a web page. I find their little toolbar at the bottom of the screen that lets you integrate with Facebook to be annoying and there's no way to turn it off. The tabbed browsing isn't very friendly. You have to access it from a button on the control bar which opens another screen to select the tab. I never did figure out how to close a tab. It is pretty speedy. It's the only one I tested that isn't compatible with my Netvibes homepage--I don't know why, so I don't know what other sites might trip it up.
For me, Xscope was noticeably slower than the others in rendering pages. It's tabbed browsing works well, more like a computer browser's would. This one seemed to be the best at keeping flash-based items framed where they are supposed to be in relation to the rest of the webpage. (The facebook chat bar still rides up on this one...it rides up on all of them.) I don't like the fact that you cannot save webpages/bookmarks as shortcuts on the device's desktop with this browser.
No reason to talk about Opera Mobile.
I am using Dolphin. The tabs are best of the bunch. Swipe right and the bookmarks show. You can save bookmarks as shortcuts on the desktop. It's not quite as fast as Skyfire, but faster than Xscope. It does get to acting flaky sometimes--like trying to enter a term into the search field on the XDA site here. I've had it shut down a few times. To me, this ones features and usability set it apart from the others.
I mainly use Dolphin HD but have also installed Dolphin Mini and I really like it on the Gtab.
There's also a newer browser named Miren Browser. Check the market for it. It supports full flash and has tab browsing. Pretty neat.
Scott
Miren and Dolphin HD are my "go to" browsers on this.
Miren just "looks" nicer for some reason then Dolphin HD. I tend to use Miren more for aesthetic purposes.
Either browser sometimes gives me download errors when I try to download. Once in a while (more often then not) I get the following error when trying to download: "Can't download as file size is unknown" and then it just quits.
Any one have any ideas how to fix that?
I'm also for Dolphin HD. Lately it's been FC-ing on me, but I'm not blaming Dolphin itself (I'll be repartitioning today).
Dolphin Mini, seems to be geared more towards the g-tab. I've tried several of the others and mini works best for me.
I just put vegan on my gtab but many of the applications wont show up on the market and when i find them via browser it says they are not compatable with my device ie launcher pro and any of the dolphin browsers. I love HD on my droidx and would love to have in on my gtab aswell
riverfenix729 said:
I just put vegan on my gtab but many of the applications wont show up on the market and when i find them via browser it says they are not compatable with my device ie launcher pro and any of the dolphin browsers. I love HD on my droidx and would love to have in on my gtab aswell
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All u have to do is look at the sticky that says READ HERE FIRST. its got a market fix that will let u access everything
Via TT
take a look at firefox. Was using Dolphin, but this is much faster.
I have been using dolphin browser hd. It has been working well on my g-tab
Swyped from my St0n3d VEGAn 1.0 Beta 5.1.1 G-Tab
On the G-Tab I have tried most of the browsers.
Dolphin HD is my favorite so far. I am really looking forward to their public beta of the tablet optimized version.
Skyfire is fast, but I HATE that bottom bar.
Firefox 4 is out for Android, but the website graphics are bad compared to others. Some type of optimizing I am guessing. Despite that it is still slow.
I need to try Miren. I have not had a chance yet.
Being a tablet as opposed to a phone I would love for them to just release full Chrome on it.
Dolphin HD has some nice features, but it seems to present a condensed version of my favorite daily newspapers. I've tried typing in the full url, but it changes it and won't seem to present the normal view, that the stock Vegan browser presents. (An example, AZcentral.com.) Anyone know of a fix. Meantime I will try Miren. Can't get firefox to download to my Viewsonic, as Google does not recognize it as a android device. (I heard that going back to stock rom will fix that??)
jeffhvt said:
Dolphin HD has some nice features, but it seems to present a condensed version of my favorite daily newspapers. I've tried typing in the full url, but it changes it and won't seem to present the normal view, that the stock Vegan browser presents. (An example, AZcentral.com.) Anyone know of a fix. Meantime I will try Miren. Can't get firefox to download to my Viewsonic, as Google does not recognize it as a android device. (I heard that going back to stock rom will fix that??)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's probably on the newspaper's web site, reacting to the fact that it is a mobile browser. Go in to the Dolphin settings and change the user agent to Desktop, and see if that helps.

Opera Mobile 11 FINALLY HERE

I've been an Opera user on desktop since before I was on Android so I was bummed to find out it didnt yet have flash support. Months and months of using Dolphin Browsers waiting for Opera to get flash with no updates or blog posts about it was starting to make me think the.project got abandoned. Well.. just opened up Market and there it is. Some changes include flash support and ui changes. Just thought id alert all the other opera fans incase you didn't know.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
Thank you for that. I ve been waiting for that for long time too. Opera mini on older java enabled phones is awesome so is opera desktop on computer.
I've never been a fan of Opera Mobile, doesn't render pages very well and has a bunch of other quirks. I'll probably check it out though.
Been messing with with since I posted this and the first thing I noticed is the UI is gorgeous. Pages seem to render properly and on large pages most of the content is already viewable while the rest loads. Also the scrolling is still smooth even while loading finishes. SO awesome to finally have my bookmarks and speeddail back.
Also I noticed the browser does use significantly more memory than others. I didn't notice any lag with my phone will opera sat in the background though.
YouTube videos play on the full site smoother than I've seen on any other android browser.
Now I need to try it with Turbo mode on.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
What is the big difference(s) between Opera Mobile and Opera Mini? I see that Mini was just updated to 6.0.
Opera mobile renders pages client side and you have access to your bookmarks. And now has flash.
Opera mini renders server side. And if I remember correctly you can only save bookmarks to your opera account but can't get full access to your bookmarks.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
It's definitely my favorite browser now.
I've used Dolphin (HD & Mini), Firefox, xScope, Miren, Skyfire and Boat Browser but Opera Mobile 11 suits me the most. It's simple, beautiful yet very fast and functional.
For those who don't want pages to be compressed, just turn off Opera Turbo. You have a choice to let it render server side or locally.
ive always been a dolphin fan...but it is very bloated, and can be laggy.
opera lacks features, but is very lightweight and extremely speedy.
just upgraded my opera version and right away, upon opening, the UI looks so much sleeker. my only complaint as of now is not being able to set a homepage. like looking at google right when i open my browser
also, theres no "exit" button......i want the option of either pressing the "home" button and leaving my browser open in the background, or clicking exit so my browser completely shuts down.
EDIT: one more gripe....cant add bookmark shortcuts to homescreen or folders
------
i know it sounds like im being overly negative, but dont read too much into it. im seriously ocnsidering dropping dolphin for this. which says a lot cause ive only used dolphin since i started using android altogether. im just sharing observations and *****ing out loud .....still a fantastic browser!
I think the lack of a homepage is to promote the speeddail. I too wish for a exit button but since the task manager is only a long press away its not that big of a deal to me.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
you can set the home page in opera:config
xat.mobile said:
you can set the home page in opera:config
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please classify....where is "config"...i don't see it here in the settings
Sent from my pocket rocket!
type "home" into the search bar and it'll come up.
tried it, still like the feel of stock browser.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
regP said:
type "home" into the search bar and it'll come up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i typed "home" in the search bar, and the navigation bar.....it just acts as normal behavior
TopShelf10 said:
i typed "home" in the search bar, and the navigation bar.....it just acts as normal behavior
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its just like firefox. Type opera:config in address bar and hit enter and it will take you to configuration settings. Scroll all the way down to user pref and expand it and you will find what you are looking for.
1.type opera:config
2. user preferences
3. custom user agent
4. paste this Opera/9.80 (Linux; en) Presto/2.7.81 Version/11.00
5. save & restart browser.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Nice browser for sure. Needs better copy/paste and google live search in search bar. Any one tried new Firefox released today ?
try scrolling fast when page is long, magic button pops up
kolyan said:
try scrolling fast when page is long, magic button pops up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw that too but mine only shows when scrolling up
regP said:
I saw that too but mine only shows when scrolling up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i get it up and down....maybe a bug or something.
ps. tried Firefox on my Nexus One.....didn't feel like its complete...but web pages loaded a bit faster then on Opera, at least they did a few times that i tested.

To Dolphin HD Users - Typing/Input Lag

I just emailed the Dolphin HD devs and made them aware that this issue exists. I also let them know that Opera has fixed this issue, so it's not Honeycomb OS specific.. rather a coding issue on their part. I assume they modeled the base of Dolphin after the stock browser, hence why they show the same lag issue and also the same highlighting of the text field/box.. not sure if this blue highlighting is causing the lag, but Opera sure doesn't show this.
If everyone could just please take a min to send a note to the Dolphin devs letting them know also, I'm hoping we could get them to update this browser with the lag fix. I'd rather not use Opera, and I'm sure you prefer Dolphin more as well.
You could easily contact the devs in the Android Market.. within the Dolphin browser app page
Update:
Got a response from the devs. They're looking into this issue now. Hopefully you guys sent them a note also, so we could give this issue some priority
Definitely will do. I use dolphin as my default browser on my phone, but it needs some work on tablets.
I thought more people would actually put the effort to try and get a fix for this browser. I guess people aren't bothered enough by the lag. I hope I'm wrong and that more than two people actually wrote the devs.
Anyway, I've been communicating back and forth with the devs. I sent them here to check out the lag while typing in XDA after they requested sites for examples. They are looking into it, and hopes to have a fix soon. They have version 6 developing, and I saw a note for the beta testers, so hopefully it will come soon.
Thanks. I wrote too, and hopefully it'll be fixed soon. Now Google should also get their act together and fix this as well.
Sent them an email about this.
I've also noticed that when searching for images under google search, the page does not load properly; tiny thumbnails that can be zoomed in, but doesn't interactive properly. The stock browser does a good job at this.
Worse than the keyboard lag is the fact that half of the time when I long press a link and click "open in new tab" it doesn't open the tab. Never had that problem on my phone, just the tab. It got so bad that I went back to the stock browser, even though the keyboard lag is worse there.
EvoXOhio said:
Worse than the keyboard lag is the fact that half of the time when I long press a link and click "open in new tab" it doesn't open the tab. Never had that problem on my phone, just the tab. It got so bad that I went back to the stock browser, even though the keyboard lag is worse there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it happens on the stock browser too. sometimes the new tab will not open. so dolphin is possibly a shell or uses some common api's that stock uses. unless we get the stock browser fixed i doubt dolphin will be able to fix anything w/o writing their own browser like opera did.
madsquabbles said:
it happens on the stock browser too. sometimes the new tab will not open. so dolphin is possibly a shell or uses some common api's that stock uses. unless we get the stock browser fixed i doubt dolphin will be able to fix anything w/o writing their own browser like opera did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This has not happened to me one time on the stock browser, but happens all the time in dolphin.
madsquabbles said:
it happens on the stock browser too. sometimes the new tab will not open. so dolphin is possibly a shell or uses some common api's that stock uses. unless we get the stock browser fixed i doubt dolphin will be able to fix anything w/o writing their own browser like opera did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
having the same issue.
I'm a long time fan of Dolphin on the mobile, unfortunately the tablet version user experience it's not even closer
dropped devs an email too
Dolphin Browser Question
Is there anyway to have Dolphin Browser keep the navigation/tab bar at the top to be able to scroll down with the webpage... Its annoying to have to go all the way up to the top of the page just to select another tab or address etc.....
i'd like that too. esp since i'd be able to see if a link opens in a new tab or not without having to hit "menu."
agred. Would love to keep tab bar on top. Without it turning "load new tab in background" on becomes a pain in the ass.
I'm assuming this thread originally started with dolphin hd? Have any of you tried dolphin for pad beta?
for a lagless typing in the Dolphin browser and in any other browser for that matter just use the android keyboard not the Samsung one,I am actually typing in Dolphin right now no lag at all.

Stock browser vs custom and other browsers

Guys I am curious. What is your preference? Between all those custom browsers vs stock ones, which do you like and use?
Send from my 'iPhone Killer' Samsung Galaxy S II using Tapatalk
Stock, it just does everything so smoothly. I have never needed any other features already present in the stock browser.
I prefer using dolphin browser but i also use the stock one too sometimes
After testing some popular browsers in the market by myself, I have this conclusion "Stock FTW".
Dolphin browser for xmarks and lastpass integration, and a exit button, though the tabbed ui is nice in theory, in practice its a bit of a pain.
Same rendering engine as the stock browser so web pages look the same.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
i prefer stock, but I cannot start any downloads with it. Every download I start fails automatically. Anyone have a clue?
Alternatively I use Opera Mini. It's really smooth and fast, has the ability to compress images and to download!
I've tried many, and while ones like Dolphin HD, Opera and Firefox offer more features none of them can match the stock browser for fluidity.
Only the stock browser is hardware accelerated (Samsung did it themselves) from my knowledge, hence the smooth scrolling even with flash.
I use Dolphin but sometimes stock browser. Also when I can not connect to 3G network due to its limited coverage in mountains area I prefer Opera Mini which is faster and does not need so much traffic.
Miren and xScope are the only 2 I use. Tried most of them. Hate stock
I atlculay lvoe my sumnasg glxaay s2 wtih VliaRionlm mroe tahn my xobx
I used to frequently delete the stock browser along with the bookmarks widget and replace with dolphin but lately I'm sticking to stock... this whole new motion thing with Samsung is sick!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
dr0idman said:
After testing some popular browsers in the market by myself, I have this conclusion "Stock FTW".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My thoughts exactly. The stock browser is by far the fastest for me.
ive tried stock, dolphin hd, dolphin mini, opera mobile, miren, xscope, skyfire, firefox.
the best for me is stock. the added features of other browsers cant make up for the speed, fluidity and (less)battery consumption of stock.
among the alternative browsers however i recommend opera mobile just because its text reflow is just so good and its almost as fast as stock. downside- battery consumption and doesnt do 100% native flash
a close second would be dolphin mini for its gestures and tabs. but its just not as smooth as stock and also uses more battery.
Stock browser has hardware acceleration, so it will be faster and smoother than all the other browsers out there. There is no practical replacement out there. Nuff said
Regards.
I use stock mostly but for the occasional just quick check ups I use Firefox.
Stock as well as Opera Mobile
Both are cool!!
Sent from My Mind using the Brainwaves...
I'd prefer the stock browser over any other alternatives out there just because it is hardware accelerated. The Galaxy S II has redefined mobile internet browsing and taken it to a whole new level.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
nevara said:
i prefer stock, but I cannot start any downloads with it. Every download I start fails automatically. Anyone have a clue?
Alternatively I use Opera Mini. It's really smooth and fast, has the ability to compress images and to download!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's I think a limitation of Android 2.3 that it won't download file types for which there is no app installed on your phone. An easy way that I use to fix this is to download Astro file manager, and in it's preferences there's an option to 'enable browser downloads' (or something like this) and this basically associates all file types with Astro, so the OS thinks that there's an app that can open the file.
Btw I use the stock browser usually, but when I get over 8 tabs I 'transfer' them to Dolphin and continue with that .
nevara said:
i prefer stock, but I cannot start any downloads with it. Every download I start fails automatically. Anyone have a clue?
Alternatively I use Opera Mini. It's really smooth and fast, has the ability to compress images and to download!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use opera mobile for that and when I want text reflow
Sent from my samsung galaxy s2 using tapatalk
thx for the tip, will try it!
When you guy say "Stock" what do you mean? My default browser with my new SGS2 is Skyfire!? So stock = skyfire? and if not how would I run the the stock browser?
Thanks

Does ANY mobile browser let you control new tabs?

What is the obsession with Android web browsers and new tabs?! Dolphin Browser HD, my preference, is great but EVERY TIME I want it to open a link it opens in a new tab. EVERY TIME I click a link from a desktop widget Dolphin opens and creates a new tab. Why? My desktop browser overwrites the content on the tab I have open unless I tell it not to. Mostly I prefer that. I don't need instant access to the last three tabs I had open yesterday. Why is there not a control to change that behavior? Seems so simple. Dolphin has no control for DO NOT open in new tab. Neither does Opera for Android. Neither does Firefox for Android.
try chrome beta instead.
chrome beta opens link in the same tab, but when you long-press on a link, you have a few options, like "open in new tab"
AFAIK only Chrome does that but u need ICS in order to install it
It doesn't do it to me everytime. But regardless I cant sway away from dolphin HD. The only problem i have had with Dolphin HD is downloading things.
There's a setting in Dolphin to control this. I don't know where it is. Try contacting Dolphin support.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda premium
boat browser
Try Boat Browser. I've been using it since my droid charge and onto my razr maxx. Allows new tab controls. Other very cool features to go with it as well. Completely replaced my stock browser
Turkishflavor said:
try chrome beta instead.
chrome beta opens link in the same tab, but when you long-press on a link, you have a few options, like "open in new tab"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aye it does, but Chrome beta is ICS-only. It worked wonderfully on my Galaxy Nexus, and I was sad to find out it doesn't work here
Just be aware that some websites default to opening external links in new tabs. vBulletin forums do this, and XDA is vB if I'm not mistaken. So, it's not necessarily a browser issue.

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