Browser Advice

Richard46 · 24-02-2016, 11:14

I have been putting off getting a smartphone* for various reasons but have finally been tempted and got myself an Android Moto E to see if it justifies the data cost (I am very mean about such things).
Just wanted some recommendations about a browser. I always use FireFox plus adblock on the PC but it looks like Chrome might integrate better with this phone maybe?
I will be using 321 PAYG
Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks

*well I did have one years ago but hated it.

daleski75 · 24-02-2016, 11:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard46

I have been putting off getting a smartphone* for various reasons but have finally been tempted and got myself an Android Moto E to see if it justifies the data cost (I am very mean about such things).
Just wanted some recommendations about a browser. I always use FireFox plus adblock on the PC but it looks like Chrome might integrate better with this phone maybe?
I will be using 321 PAYG
Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks

*well I did have one years ago but hated it.

You can use firefox and have the adblock plugin as well on your phone which may serve you better than chrome which has no adblocking ability.

Gort · 24-02-2016, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard46

I have been putting off getting a smartphone* for various reasons but have finally been tempted and got myself an Android Moto E to see if it justifies the data cost (I am very mean about such things).
Just wanted some recommendations about a browser. I always use FireFox plus adblock on the PC but it looks like Chrome might integrate better with this phone maybe?
I will be using 321 PAYG
Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks

*well I did have one years ago but hated it.

I'm on Three's 321 and have the same phone using Firefox with Adblock Plus, and haven't touched Chrome bar once as a curiosity. My browsing works out fine and am not affected, in my usage, by not using Chrome (well, I get less adverts

). Actually, the Firefox Android browser is quite good in my experience and does have Adblock Plus there as an extension if you choose to use it, which Chrome doesn't have. I still have Chrome installed in case I ever need it. The best answer is to just try Firefox out and see what happens.

If you're not already aware, one thing to consider is to use Wifi whenever possible to do any heavy data use, as you'll save yourself a lot by doing that.

Richard46 · 24-02-2016, 17:07

Thanks both of you; looks like I will stay with FF then.

NB Thanks for the wi-fi tip Gort; In fact am waiting for the 321 sim so no mobile connection yet. Am setting it all up using my Wi-Fi and plan to carry on using it for downloading apps etc wherever possible.

binary · 24-02-2016, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gort

... Actually, the Firefox Android browser is quite good in my experience...

Unfortunately I've found the Firefox browser for Android to be prone to crashing or hanging (on a Moto G), which is a shame as I'd far rather use and support Ff than Google's Chrome.

Gort · 24-02-2016, 23:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by binary

Unfortunately I've found the Firefox browser for Android to be prone to crashing or hanging (on a Moto G), which is a shame as I'd far rather use and support Ff than Google's Chrome.

A case of YMMV, I suppose. After some months of use, it hasn't crashed for me once. Still, usage differs between individuals, etc.

binary · 24-02-2016, 23:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gort

A case of YMMV, I suppose. After some months of use, it hasn't crashed for me once. Still, usage differs between individuals, etc.

It was when there were a few tabs open, but not a stupid number. OK, maybe some of the times it happened I had quite a few tabs open! I haven't had this issue with Chrome.

However, I'll give Firefox another bash. Like I said, I'd much rather use their browser than Chrome.

Gort · 25-02-2016, 03:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by binary

It was when there were a few tabs open, but not a stupid number. OK, maybe some of the times it happened I had quite a few tabs open! I haven't had this issue with Chrome.

Admittedly, I don't tend to open that many tabs while using the Android version of Firefox; probably five at most at a time.

Mark in Essex · 25-02-2016, 09:14

I love Dolphin browser which has an ad blocker built into it (although I've never used it).

Also there are a lot of other add-on's (one of add-on's I love is the setting for desktop view for all web pages)..

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...k.TunnyBrowser

Richard46 · 25-02-2016, 09:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark in Essex

I love Dolphin browser which has an ad blocker built into it (although I've never used it).

Also there are a lot of other add-on's (one of add-on's I love is the setting for desktop view for all web pages)..

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...k.TunnyBrowser

As it happens I just read a review that had good things to say about Dolphin so now have a bit of a quandary.
& Thanks again all.

JurassicMark · 25-02-2016, 20:47

Got my first smartphone (Moto G) just over a year ago and had a similar dilemma about what browser to use, have currently got both Chrome and Firefox and use them interchangeably. One advantage of using the same browser as you use on your PC is that you can synchronise your bookmarks etc. with your smartphone.

Don't use either browser a great deal, so am probably not the best judge of what's best. I have this kind of dilemma when deciding what's the best app for any particular task, so have adopted the 'suck it and see' tactic. It's very easy to install/uninstall apps, I must have tried about 6 different music apps before settling on my current one.

24-02-2016, 11:14	#1
Richard46 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: London Posts: 41,718	Browser Advice I have been putting off getting a smartphone* for various reasons but have finally been tempted and got myself an Android Moto E to see if it justifies the data cost (I am very mean about such things). Just wanted some recommendations about a browser. I always use FireFox plus adblock on the PC but it looks like Chrome might integrate better with this phone maybe? I will be using 321 PAYG Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks *well I did have one years ago but hated it.

24-02-2016, 11:45	#2
daleski75 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Northampton Posts: 1,014	Quote: Originally Posted by Richard46 I have been putting off getting a smartphone* for various reasons but have finally been tempted and got myself an Android Moto E to see if it justifies the data cost (I am very mean about such things). Just wanted some recommendations about a browser. I always use FireFox plus adblock on the PC but it looks like Chrome might integrate better with this phone maybe? I will be using 321 PAYG Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks *well I did have one years ago but hated it. You can use firefox and have the adblock plugin as well on your phone which may serve you better than chrome which has no adblocking ability.

24-02-2016, 16:53	#3
Gort Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 5,053	Quote: Originally Posted by Richard46 I have been putting off getting a smartphone* for various reasons but have finally been tempted and got myself an Android Moto E to see if it justifies the data cost (I am very mean about such things). Just wanted some recommendations about a browser. I always use FireFox plus adblock on the PC but it looks like Chrome might integrate better with this phone maybe? I will be using 321 PAYG Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks *well I did have one years ago but hated it. I'm on Three's 321 and have the same phone using Firefox with Adblock Plus, and haven't touched Chrome bar once as a curiosity. My browsing works out fine and am not affected, in my usage, by not using Chrome (well, I get less adverts ). Actually, the Firefox Android browser is quite good in my experience and does have Adblock Plus there as an extension if you choose to use it, which Chrome doesn't have. I still have Chrome installed in case I ever need it. The best answer is to just try Firefox out and see what happens. If you're not already aware, one thing to consider is to use Wifi whenever possible to do any heavy data use, as you'll save yourself a lot by doing that.

24-02-2016, 17:07	#4
Richard46 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: London Posts: 41,718	Thanks both of you; looks like I will stay with FF then. NB Thanks for the wi-fi tip Gort; In fact am waiting for the 321 sim so no mobile connection yet. Am setting it all up using my Wi-Fi and plan to carry on using it for downloading apps etc wherever possible.

24-02-2016, 23:16	#5
binary Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 636	Quote: Originally Posted by Gort ... Actually, the Firefox Android browser is quite good in my experience... Unfortunately I've found the Firefox browser for Android to be prone to crashing or hanging (on a Moto G), which is a shame as I'd far rather use and support Ff than Google's Chrome.

24-02-2016, 23:30	#6
Gort Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 5,053	Quote: Originally Posted by binary Unfortunately I've found the Firefox browser for Android to be prone to crashing or hanging (on a Moto G), which is a shame as I'd far rather use and support Ff than Google's Chrome. A case of YMMV, I suppose. After some months of use, it hasn't crashed for me once. Still, usage differs between individuals, etc.

24-02-2016, 23:46	#7
binary Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 636	Quote: Originally Posted by Gort A case of YMMV, I suppose. After some months of use, it hasn't crashed for me once. Still, usage differs between individuals, etc. It was when there were a few tabs open, but not a stupid number. OK, maybe some of the times it happened I had quite a few tabs open! I haven't had this issue with Chrome. However, I'll give Firefox another bash. Like I said, I'd much rather use their browser than Chrome.

25-02-2016, 03:56	#8
Gort Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 5,053	Quote: Originally Posted by binary It was when there were a few tabs open, but not a stupid number. OK, maybe some of the times it happened I had quite a few tabs open! I haven't had this issue with Chrome. Admittedly, I don't tend to open that many tabs while using the Android version of Firefox; probably five at most at a time.

25-02-2016, 09:14	#9
Mark in Essex Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,644	I love Dolphin browser which has an ad blocker built into it (although I've never used it). Also there are a lot of other add-on's (one of add-on's I love is the setting for desktop view for all web pages).. https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...k.TunnyBrowser

25-02-2016, 09:29	#10
Richard46 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: London Posts: 41,718	Quote: Originally Posted by Mark in Essex I love Dolphin browser which has an ad blocker built into it (although I've never used it). Also there are a lot of other add-on's (one of add-on's I love is the setting for desktop view for all web pages).. https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...k.TunnyBrowser As it happens I just read a review that had good things to say about Dolphin so now have a bit of a quandary. & Thanks again all.

25-02-2016, 20:47	#11
JurassicMark Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Nottingham Posts: 5,578	Got my first smartphone (Moto G) just over a year ago and had a similar dilemma about what browser to use, have currently got both Chrome and Firefox and use them interchangeably. One advantage of using the same browser as you use on your PC is that you can synchronise your bookmarks etc. with your smartphone. Don't use either browser a great deal, so am probably not the best judge of what's best. I have this kind of dilemma when deciding what's the best app for any particular task, so have adopted the 'suck it and see' tactic. It's very easy to install/uninstall apps, I must have tried about 6 different music apps before settling on my current one.

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