#Safari browser version for ios 10.3.1 series#

How big a difference is it? I ran a series of test on my iPad, and as you can see, Chrome on iOS is significantly slower, especially when it comes to the all important javascript rendering (the last two 'Sunspider' tests). But the second you save them as a web app to your home screen, they are suddenly forced to use the old Safari engine, and are thus much slower to use. As long as you see them in Safari they work great. The limitation is even put in place for native web apps, the ones you see inside Safari itself. This is purely anti-competitor behavior that limits choice and forces people to create native apps. There is no reason why the iPhone and iPad comes with two different rendering engines - one for Apple and one for everyone else. Apple wants control and force people to create native apps, and are thus limiting the performance of web apps in third party apps. This is true for Flipboard, the Facebook app, the Twitter app, and every other app - including the new Chrome for iOS. Seeing a website in Safari is much faster than seeing a website inside an app.

It also forces them to use an older version of Safari than the one Apple can use themselves.Įvery iOS developer knows this. Not only does Apple not allow other browsers. Google Chrome for iOS is still interesting because you get Chrome synch and other Chrome goodies.īut there is a big problem with third party browser on iOS. It's the iOS system version of WebKit wrapped in Google's own browser UI. The actual browser, the rendering, and javascript engine is 100% Apple Safari.Īs John Gruber puts it: It's not the Chrome rendering or JavaScript engines - the App Store rules forbid that. It's Apple's Safari with a 'chrome' interface. The same was as they are trying to stop the web with iBooks, the Newsstand and in every other area where the web could shine.Īs you might have heard, Google Chrome is now available for the iPhone and iPad, but before you get too excited, you need to realize that it isn't Chrome at all. They are limiting web apps from becoming truly functional by making them three times slower in 3rd party apps or saved to the home screen. Apple is doing everything they can to stop the web.

Safari browser version for ios 10.3.1