Lookout IE & Firefox, Safari 4 is da S#!t
Apple just released Safari 4 as a public beta and I predict it will make Safari a force to reckon with in the browser wars. Safari has always been a solid, fast browser in OS X. Last year’s release of the first Windows version was an ipso-facto announcement by Cupertino that they can compete with any browser. Safari 3, while a very good browser, didn’t offer a real differentiator to the two leading market share holders despite Apple’s claims of speed, safety and reliability. It really was a “me too” entrance into the mainstream browser market.
No more. Safari 4 is a true game-changer. With it’s cover flow and “Top Sites” views, this browser will give Windows users a glimpse into the beautiful world of Apple core animation. People who’ve never experienced OS X will get an eye-popping introduction to the most visually pleasing UI on the planet. I downloaded the beta this morning and installed it on my Mac and Vista machines. I opened it on the 24″ monitor of the Vista PC that faces my office door. Within an hour, nearly a half-dozen people (PC users) stuck their head in asking, “What’s that?!” Safari 4 is that stunning.
Of course, it’s too early to tell how robust, stable, etc. this new Safari version is, but if it’s just functionally “good enough” many will use it just because it’s so pretty. Apple’s tag line for their new offering is “…the world’s fastest and most innovative browser.” I’ll leave the speed tests for others, but I will attest to its innovation. Putting the tabs across the top of the browser was genius, especially on smaller screens where real estate (room on the screen) is at a premium. That, coupled with the views I mentioned are reason enough for most people to switch. For me, I’ll wait and see just how much I miss my Firefox add-ins.
Let’s face it, the reason Internet Explorer enjoys a 70+% share of the browser market is because it is the default on the most popular operating system. Firefox has continued to whittle away at IE’s share with its huge assortment of add-ins. I have no doubt this will make Safari a real player in the browser market. The interesting question is, at who’s expense?
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