Just curious. Last app update was 3 weeks ago.
Android app is updated much more frequently.
Thanks!
All web browsers on iOS are just Safari with different design. Apple doesn’t allow third party developers to use any other browser engine other than the WebKit which is the engine developed by Apple. This is also the case why there might be difference in showing the websites on your iPhone and Android. Or why some features might be exclusive for PCs and Android.
Brave for PCs and Android devices is built on top of Chromium which is open source project developed by Google. And because Chromium is updated very frequently (unlike Safari), Brave is also frequently updated on the platforms where it’s based of Chromium.
Safari isn’t frequently updated so there’s no need to update Brave more frequently on the iOS. When Apple updates Safari, Brave team will release an update as well.
Is this correct?
So when I install Edge or Chrome on iOS, I’m still really using Safari/Webkit?
I’m finding that hard to believe!
Correct.
Take a look at this—https://9to5mac.com/2022/03/01/web-developers-challenge-apple-to-allow-other-browser-engines-on-ios/
Wow, I wasn’t aware of it! Thanks a lot.
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@migsyboy Yeah, essentially all web browsers use one of three engines (with some exceptions, but small enough to not count)
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Webkit = Safari and all browsers on iOS, as it’s mandated by Apple
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Chromium/Blink = Chrome, Vivaldi, Brave, Chromium, Edge, Opera, Samsung Internet Browser, Kiwi, etc. that run on anything other than iOS.
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Gecko = Firefox and Thunderbird email client
Honorable Mention:
- Goanna = Pale Moon, Basilisk, K-Meleon
In any case, they all pretty much share the same core and the differences are then just what gets added and removed. Like Vivaldi adds more for cosmetic choices, Brave does a lot for crypto and privacy, etc.
But much like the article shared by @marko30, we’re bound to be seeing some changes here in the future. It’s just a question of what Brave is going to do about it.
https://www.applemust.com/eu-industry-chief-warns-apple-will-be-forced-to-open-up/
Basically, EU has made rulings that Apple has to open up to competition and can’t demand Webkit only for browsers. This means Brave might be able to use the same Chromium core as Android and all.
EU also is one that pushed Apple to switch iPhone over to USB-C instead of their own special charger.
** NOTE **
One thing I will point out is that Brave has been using iOS as testing app as well. Like iOS version got Playlist before any others. It also was the first to get VPN. So as much as it often gets updated less and falls behind on version numbers, it’s usually stayed ahead a bit in terms of features.
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@Saoiray I’d like to add that, apparently, Apple has plans to limit these changes to the EU market only. Meaning, nothing will change for the users in other markets. Just for us in the EU.
Have a source for that? Keep in mind it’s usually a major pain for such things to go into play like that and opens up a lot of possibility for troubles. Just as they made sure not to make any regional specific iPhone for the ruling on charger, they very much won’t create different rules in their app store and OS to differentiate between regions.
https://9to5mac.com/2023/06/13/ios-17-beta-sideloading/
https://9to5mac.com/2023/04/21/ios-17-side-loading-feature-us/
Everyone has USB-C iPhone because it’s not viable for Apple to make two different versions with two different chargers. Too much hassle especially when Lightning was only used on iPhones when other Apple products embraced USB-C long time ago.
This one is different because it wouldn’t need hardware change, just a simple software one. They could create two different software versions like Android brands do. Besides, they want to force users to use AppStore because then they earn money; it’s not in their interest to make sideloading available worldwide, so they’ll make it available only where they have to.
My guess is Apple won’t change their policy of the AppStore. They still won’t allow 3rd party browsers with any engine, they’ll still require WebKit to be used. BUT they will add ability to install other AppStores that won’t have the same limitation.
@marko30 Ah, so you’re just going by people speculating, but nothing official. Nothing in those links have had anyone from Apple say it or anything. As such, I wouldn’t say Apple has plans to limit these changes to the EU market only. It’s just that some reporters or other individuals THINK that Apple COULD limit it.
Good to know thoughts, but just the way you had it phrased made it seem like it was something official. It will be interesting to see which way it goes.
I said apparently. I never said Apple confirmed it. But I really do believe sideloading will only be available in the EU. I mean, Apple earns a lot of money through the AppStore. It wouldn’t make sense to make sideloading and allow 3rd party app stores everywhere because that would mean less money to them.
Did you see how much they complained when EU forced them to adapt USB-C? It’s not without the reason. They made so much money from rights/certification of 3rd party accessories. Huh, there were even reports that Apple planned to limit charging speed for 3rd party cables, but EU warned them again that’s against the law and they will be fined if they do that and potentially have iPhones banned in the EU.
It’s the same story how they don’t want to make iMessage available for Android. Or add RCS support. All of that could only have negative effect on Apple.
Apple’s business model is pretty much to try to lock you in their ecosystem so you only leave your money with them and no one else. And they do it in a way that’s gray line here in the EU. This is why EC has to intervene.
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