M8: HTC Stock Browser gone?

[HenryKrinkle]

I purchased the M8 yesterday and have noticed that HTC seems to have dropped their stock browser in favor of Chrome. I actually preferred the stock browser on the HTC one (2013) and am surprised that they removed it. Anyone else notice this?

 

[hilmar2k]

Yup, though not until you pointed it out. I only use Chrome, so I am actually glad it's gone.

 

[Slickyy]

I don't think that was HTC. I've never used a phone stock with 4.4.2 have the regular internet browser.

 

[iowabowtech]

Yeah it was gone on the G2 also. The push is toward Chrome it seems.

 

[KOLIO]

Yeah it was gone on the G2 also. The push is toward Chrome it seems.

Still got the stock browser on my T-MOBILE G2 w/KIT KAT, so, perhaps it's a carrier option?

 

[iowabowtech]

Still got the stock browser on my T-MOBILE G2 w/KIT KAT, so, perhaps it's a carrier option?

Hmm, must be then. I ended up flashing the stock browser and now that you mention it, that was pulled from a different variant iirc.

 

[KOLIO]

Hmm, must be then. I ended up flashing the stock browser and now that you mention it, that was pulled from a different variant iirc.

Gotta make room for all of those wonderful apps that are exclusive to VZW....

 

[iowabowtech]

Gotta make room for all of those wonderful apps that are exclusive to VZW....

My counterargument to that is...that there is no counterargument.

 

[KOLIO]

My counterargument to that is...that there is no counterargument.

All the U. S. carriers are guilty as charged.
Honestly, I don't think it's such a big deal anymore. Most of those "Premium Apps" can be disabled, leaving plenty of storage for hundreds of other apps & their corresponding data.
A couple years ago, definitely a different story. My 1st ANDROID, a HUAWEI ASCEND on CRICKET, comes to mind.......

 

[iowabowtech]

Yeah same here...Droid Incredible anyone? And they had a limitation on the sizing of the /data/data partition so that too many apps & data would result in major performance issues.

Good point about the addition of disabling. Almost forgot about that. I've always been rooted so sudo rm /system/app/suckonthatverizon in the old days, TiBu for some time now.

 

[iowabowtech]

Sorry about the sidebar there OP.

I'm not sure if you're in the market for 3rd party browsers but another staffer turned me on to Boat Browser and I even ended up ditching my sideloaded stock browser after coming to prefer it over all others. May be worth a look?

 

[KOLIO]

I purchased the M8 yesterday and have noticed that HTC seems to have dropped their stock browser in favor of Chrome. I actually preferred the stock browser on the HTC one (2013) and am surprised that they removed it. Anyone else notice this?

Here's another thread on the subject that you may wanna follow,from our neighbors @XDA-DEVELOPERS:

stock browser?? - xda-developers

 

[Deleted User]

I purchased the M8 yesterday and have noticed that HTC seems to have dropped their stock browser in favor of Chrome. I actually preferred the stock browser on the HTC one (2013) and am surprised that they removed it. Anyone else notice this?

Mine has the stock browser...

 

[KOLIO]

Mine has the stock browser...

On which carrier,SPRINT?

 

[Deleted User]

On which carrier,SPRINT?

Yes. It's called internet.

 

[sikclown]

Yup stock browser here too, on Sprint.

 

[DEng66]

Yep, looks like it's just a Verizon thing. Verizon M8 is alos missing the Power Saver options. Not just the Extreme Power Saver settings, but the regular one too. Sometimes I think Verizon does this just because they can because I can't think of any business advantage to eliminating a browser. For what it's worth, the Verizon version also doesn't have the "powered by Android" message on the boot screen....at least mine doesn't!

 

[KOLIO]

Yep, looks like it's just a Verizon thing.
Sometimes I think Verizon does this just because they can because I can't think of any business advantage to eliminating a browser.

^^^^
This & this: http://androidforums.com/6499702-post7.html

Seriously,the HTC browser (at least on the M7) was,IMHO,just as much a beneficial feature as some of the more highly regarded ones (BOOMSOUND/Build Quality).
GOOGLE would be wise to emulate.
Perhaps HTC could put their browser in the GOOGLE PLAY STORE.If for no other reason,it'd be a nice way of giving VZW the one-finger salute.
For that matter,I'd love to see it in the GOOGLE Play Store & put it on all of my devices,even if that meant paying for it on non-HTC devices.

 

[Deleted User]

In my research chrome uses more data... So if you think about that you see Verizon's intentions

 

[xPhantom]

I'm so glad the Sprint version keeps the HTC browser. That is honestly my favorite browser of all the ones I've tried. The quick controls are so great!

 

[Tlicious1020]

So true, the Sprint version does have it. I haven't even touched the power saver mode. I told my buddies with the S4 that they need to just hold this phone in their hand.

 

[parkert]

But chrome is better isn't it

 

[PyroSporker]

I noticed on Friday, while reading an extra long online article that is offered in a weekly installment, that HTC's stock browser is missing 'Reading Mode'. They must have dropped it in the latest Sense builds.

Since I have unlimited Sprint data and since I don't find myself reading long articles too often, I haven't exactly noticed the subtraction of the feature, however I am a little bummed that the opportunity to utilize the option has been removed.

(Reading mode displayed webpages as simple black and white text with all backgrounds, page styles, and formatting removed)