Develop Bugs

Browser rant

Ok, the browser is great in terms of the speed, layout, support for animations/javascript etc. But I think the interface sucks a little. Where's the home page? I have to press 3 buttons, and yet `share` and this other crap I'm never going to use (share a web page? what does that even mean?) is right in your face. I find bookmarks clumsy to navigate, and there doesn't seem to be and way of constructing a folder full of bookmarks in under 30 minutes. If I double click to zoom then half the time I'll not quite double click and it'll load whatever link I clicked on first, so I have to double click on a blank part of the page, or use pinch to zoom, neither of which is ideal. How do I stop a page from loading if I've made a mistake or changed my mind? I'm not used to browsers with no stop button. Seems that you're supposed to just wait.
When I'm zooming in , it would be nice if the text was reformatted to fit the current width of the screen. Otherwise I have to keep scrolling left and right as I read. Am I supposed to have to do that? It would be nice to have a `reformat` button. Oh, but not hidden away on a sub menu somewhere like the home page is, but accessible from a long-click on the current page.
It's as if the browser was coded by two entirely different teams - a really competent one which has produced a fast, powerful browser which handles most web pages perfectly; and some other guys who've knocked up some rubbish front end quickly.

1) About stopping the page. You can either click in the top-right, where the refresh icon normally is, or you can press the back hardware button.
2) I'm guessing your Desire is from Orange? They took out the re-formatting function for some crappy reason. Really pees me off as well

Try xScope browser, probably that will solve your problem.

gogol said:
Try xScope browser, probably that will solve your problem.
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I've tried a couple of other browsers, and they're usually rubbish (no multitouch etc). The stock browser just needs a few fixes and it'll be fine.

dpk said:
1) About stopping the page. You can either click in the top-right, where the refresh icon normally is, or you can press the back hardware button.
2) I'm guessing your Desire is from Orange? They took out the re-formatting function for some crappy reason. Really pees me off as well
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Yeah, it's Orange uk - home of the `yeah, lets take off Google Talk but leave the service running all the time` customization. The sooner there's a safe way of putting on a stock rom (with the possibility of putting back the crap Orange one if I need help from Orange) the better!

I'm in exactly the same boat as you mate, and it pisses me off too. I just wanna go generic, and i'll be happy.
Sent from my HTC Desire using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk

poldie said:
Yeah, it's Orange uk - home of the `yeah, lets take off Google Talk but leave the service running all the time` customization. The sooner there's a safe way of putting on a stock rom (with the possibility of putting back the crap Orange one if I need help from Orange) the better!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's currently perfectly safe to flash a stock rom. An Orange branded rom will appear soon as a lot of operator specific roms are currently surfacing.

I have quite a few major annoyances with the stock browser although I like it best from the offerings. One of which was the stop button, the home button and the zoom. It always zoom in far too much and usually I'm one handed so that becomes a pain.
Sent from my HTC Desire using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk

Well, it seems you have not tried xScope.
It is pretty good and it does pinch to zoom etc.
Also, there is a new "Dolphin Browser HD".
But yeah, stock browser user interface sucks! I really don't understand why it does not have proper "favorites" feature.
poldie said:
I've tried a couple of other browsers, and they're usually rubbish (no multitouch etc). The stock browser just needs a few fixes and it'll be fine.
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Click to collapse

I think the default browser is the best but it's too complicate to switch from a tab to another one.
Is there an android web browser that support the **file upload** ?

I really like the Android browser... but i've had crap phones in the past.
Omnia, 5800XM then the Tattoo which i loved and caused me to get the Desire.

gogol said:
Well, it seems you have not tried xScope.
It is pretty good and it does pinch to zoom etc.
Also, there is a new "Dolphin Browser HD".
But yeah, stock browser user interface sucks! I really don't understand why it does not have proper "favorites" feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have switched to Dolphin Browser HD, very nice.
It has tabs at the top so they are easy to switch between and also has swipe gestures to open a tab menu. Works almost exactly the same as the stock browser including pinch to zoom, I don't think it uses our flash lite though but flash lite isn't really worth it currently.

Orange took out the text wrapping? Crazy.

Chrome Beta vs. Stock ICS Browser?

Just trying to get some feedback on the the launch of the chrome beta and how it compares to the stock ICS browser. Even after the 4.0.4 gapps update Im feeling they're pretty similar in speed. Overall Im not not yet sure which one I prefer. Hopefully your insight will help me out.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

The UI/UX is far superior, but it lacks critical features to make it a replacement - at least for me.
We'll see in a few months when a better developed version comes out.

I heard that Chrome is a good browser. I think i will download it once flash gets support on it. Still may give it a go than delete it afterwards. I have the newest GAPPS though so i do notice a difference in speed as far as the stock browser.

no full screen and hide status bar was a dealbreaker. hopefully it will be added in later.

The UI is good, love how the tabs work, and the speed is okay.
I notice that some pages will automatically zoom in, then zoom out, and then zoom in again while the page is loading, without me ever touching the screen. Very distracting.
Also sometimes the zoom goes too far in.
And I can't render pages in desktop mode.
I probably need to wait for another beta release or two before it's ready for me.

I've noticed it to be a bit more of a battery hog compared to stock browser. Once they add support for extensions and some more features I will switch.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

charlieb620 said:
I heard that Chrome is a good browser. I think i will download it once flash gets support on it. Still may give it a go than delete it afterwards. I have the newest GAPPS though so i do notice a difference in speed as far as the stock browser.
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Chrome will not be getting flash.
http://www.computerworld.com/s/arti...chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8&q=chrome+android+flash

Hoping for improvements in the laggy typing (esp in URL bar) and "request desktop site" to show up then it'll be 100% primary.

I'm sticking with the stock browser, more than enough for me. I tried out chrome, wasn't a big fan but I don't hate it though. I didn't like was the look of it, it was disappointing.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

I noticed that too :/ but hopefully that'll be improved
I like it overall, but I think i like the stock browser a little more

comparing a beta with a out of beta software is like comparing a pair of chop stick with toothpick.
as of right now, i set chrome as default because it is faster than the stock browser. chrome offer keyboard prediction, which hands down a win for me.

This
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

I still like dolphin hd best. Stock + as a close second. Chrome is nice for a first offering.

I personally can't stand Dolphin HD. I used to use it a lot back in the day, but now it just seems too bloated and laggy. I really like Chrome beta, though I'll stick with stock ICS Browser (especially with the 4.0.4 update) for now.
I did notice that Chrome beta cannot handle proxies. I can use the Wifi at work just fine with ICS Browser (I have the proxy info entered in the System Wifi settings) but Chrome beta cannot seem to use those same settings, so it just fails and gives a generic error message that is actually meant for the desktop version of the browser.

I'm really digging chrome so far. Tab handling is awesome and so much better than stock. Directly syncing open tabs from chrome on the computer is awesome. Syncing all bookmarks from chrome is awesome.
The only thing missing is flash but who cares. It is used little enough these days and I don't usually need to see those pages on my phone anyway.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

Kupfel said:
I'm really digging chrome so far. Tab handling is awesome and so much better than stock. Directly syncing open tabs from chrome on the computer is awesome. Syncing all bookmarks from chrome is awesome.
The only thing missing is flash but who cares. It is used little enough these days and I don't usually need to see those pages on my phone anyway.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
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Exactly.
I haven't run into any bugs yet, and it syncs. I even switched back to Chrome from Firefox on the desktop because I want tab sync (and Firefox Mobile just doesn't seem usable to me).

I really like Chrome but if I want flash I have to use stock browser. I think stock browser is excellent too though..
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Adaptive zoom on double tap is a huge advantage of Chrome over stock in my opinion
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

Here i can find the historic log in Chrome?
And about native browser 4.0.4? Where i can find? Needs root for update it?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

I'm definitely loving chrome . Already am using it as my default browser. Its fast and pinch to zoom is butter. The tabs are fun little add on too, I like the whole 3d effect. The only things I miss from stock browser are the on screen controls and ability to request desktop site easier. Even though it doesn't really bother me to scroll down the page to get the desktop site, and then from what I've noticed , once you click on desktop site for one website , every website after that automatically loads in desktop form , which I think is great. I think for the initial beta release Google has done a great job. Definitely like how it dominates all the HTML 5 tests too
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

Galaxy nexus browser experience

I come from HTC sensation, T-Mobile galaxy s 2, galaxy s 2 I9100, international galaxy note and I believe the galaxy nexus has the overall best browsing experience. It loads pages SUPER FAST!!! Flash content loads up in no time, scrolling is very smooth so is pinch to zoom ( not as smooth as the galaxy s 2 but can't complain), the resolution and the screen size is also awesome. I love the lab feature when u get rid of the address bar and use the quick controls I think its very intuitive. For a phone with " lower " specs than the competition I say the nexus kick some serious ass in the browsing department. Your thoughts?

barondebxl said:
I come from HTC sensation, T-Mobile galaxy s 2, galaxy s 2 I9100, international galaxy note and I believe the galaxy nexus has the overall best browsing experience. It loads pages SUPER FAST!!! Flash content loads up in no time, scrolling is very smooth so is pinch to zoom ( not as smooth as the galaxy s 2 but can't complain), the resolution and the screen size is also awesome. I love the lab feature when u get rid of the address bar and use the quick controls I think its very intuitive. For a phone with " lower " specs than the competition I say the nexus kick some serious ass in the browsing department. Your thoughts?
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I agree. The BEST thing about this phone is the 720p screen. Mhl adapter to my TV and watch Netflix, or flash videos on the big screen!
I always use Dolphin, but I'm tempted to start using stock browser.

WAIT get ics browser+ . Same as stock but with added goodies. Quick controls i couldnt live without no more! I beg you to give it a go! Btw the developer is BEANSOFT. Hope this helps

Forgot to say it in my OP but the only thing that bothers me sometimes in the browser is when you double tap to zoom sometimes instead of zooming, it clicks on a link or pic or whatever is on the page. But yeah, excellent browser!

Chrome beta is nice too, just no flash.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

I really like Chrome too...... Dolphin is not bad either

I enjoy Chrome too over the Stock browser and it's apparently going to be leaving the beta stage fairly soon.
http://www.theverge.com/2012/4/24/2972671/chrome-for-android-coming-soon

barondebxl said:
Flash content loads up in no time... Your thoughts?
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Click to collapse
What’s a Flash content? Is this the animated stuff that people used to use make their web pages more annoying?

Adobe Air really helps with YouTube hiccups. Trust me. I dont know what is going on with YouTube these days but the loading lag is very annoying. Air helps.
Sent from my Xoom using xda premium

If you think the browsing is good, which it is, install ics + browser. Holy hell is it good.
Then with aokp you hide the bottom buttons, and wow what a browsing experience!

RogerPodacter said:
If you think the browsing is good, which it is, install ics + browser. Holy hell is it good.
Then with aokp you hide the bottom buttons, and wow what a browsing experience!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what he said, the gn is my first phone that i browse with regularly. websites look amazing fullscreen 720p without the nav buttons. quick controls makes navigating sites so easy.

I haven't been able to use anything but Chrome since switching to the GNex. The way it handles tabs blows all other Android browsers out of the water, in my opinion. Add to that the ability to sync your open web pages across all your devices! I find that I do not miss the lack of flash; if I absolutely need it I will fire up ICS Browser +

thunderinacircle said:
I haven't been able to use anything but Chrome since switching to the GNex. The way it handles tabs blows all other Android browsers out of the water, in my opinion. Add to that the ability to sync your open web pages across all your devices! I find that I do not miss the lack of flash; if I absolutely need it I will fire up ICS Browser +
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do like the concept of the chrome browser, how you can switch pages by swiping through them is very nice, also the tab management looks cool. But for some reason chrome, for me, isn't as responsive as the stock browser. When I'm trying to pinch to zoom or scroll through the page it takes a couple of second before registering my gestures. As far as ICS browser + it's pretty much the same as stock but with more features. While its cool that it adds more quick controls I think it's annoying that they take a big space when u activate it. Sometimes you just wanna scroll and they appear taking a big chunk of the page. I personally prefer the stock browser but who am I to say which is best for others.

barondebxl said:
I do like the concept of the chrome browser, how you can switch pages by swiping through them is very nice, also the tab management looks cool. But for some reason chrome, for me, isn't as responsive as the stock browser. When I'm trying to pinch to zoom or scroll through the page it takes a couple of second before registering my gestures. As far as ICS browser + it's pretty much the same as stock but with more features. While its cool that it adds more quick controls I think it's annoying that they take a big space when u activate it. Sometimes you just wanna scroll and they appear taking a big chunk of the page. I personally prefer the stock browser but who am I to say which is best for others.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right on. I like some of the stuff paradigm, aokp and ezekeel put out but I keep coming back for stock. Google polished ICS well.
sent with 3g courage. better recognize. 4g courage coming soon. stock up on diapers.

RogerPodacter said:
If you think the browsing is good, which it is, install ics + browser. Holy hell is it good.
Then with aokp you hide the bottom buttons, and wow what a browsing experience!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats what i use (read my other post) how good are quick controls!

When I first got the phone I decided I was going to stick with a lot of the stock options to begin with and see how they fared, and I'm still using the browser. I gave Chrome a try briefly, and may have stayed on it, but then changed the DPI to 240 which it doesn't like, so I'm back on the stock.
It's smooth and responsive, and I'm a huge fan of the quick menu enabled in the labs section. My brother got a Nexus recently, and one of the first things I did for him was to set up the quick menu options for him in the browser.

Yeah is good. The only thing I don't like is the bookmarks, is all random not like the htc browser that you can sort by mostly used.

The ics + browser quick controls handling of multiple tabs is unmatched. Even chrome doesn't do it for me.
Plus chrome is not as smooth at all.

I love Chrome Beta, and it keeps getting better. No flash is a non-issue; Adobe officially dropped support for mobile flash last November. They're going to instead focus on HTML5-- something that Chrome *does* support, and quite well I might add.

Stock vs Chrome Browser, your performance impressions

Hi everyone this is just a quick poll in regards to how your stock browser performs compared to Chrome (if you use it)
I'm not sure if this is just me or if everyone is experiencing this. I never really used the stock browser since right when I got my phone I installed Chrome, but lately its performance have been laggy on both my Transformer Prime and Galaxy Nexus..so I did a quick scrolling test.
1. browsed to www.engadget.com full desktop version
2. Wait for page to completely load
3. Scrolled up and down through the page.
I found Chrome even after the page was completely loaded continued to try the render images causing choppy scrolling while the stock was smooth.

Chrome belongs on the desktop, imo. Eye candy aside, it doesn't (imo) bring anything to the table, and is slower/fatter than stock.

I love stock not only cuz its smoother but it will open flawlessly any flash site lol..
Chrome looks good still need some work tho.. No flash support but hey keep in mind its still a beta..
So might get way better than stock or become a "safari like in apple" in the upcoming android versions
Galaxy Nexus AOKP m5 Franco kernel m3

Stock ftw.
...of the people, by the people, for the people...

I have noticed that the Chrome browser does seem to lag on the "heavy media" type sites...
Keep in mind though that it's based on the Google Chrome for Desktop code base, which in theory should be updated more frequently then the codebase for the stock browser...
Also, I believe it's been stated that it will never get Flash support (Officially...?)

Seems about the same to me. Admittedly I'm not a very heavy browser on my phone though. Few pages a day at most.

Chrome starts a bit slower but I find it's slightly faster going from one website to another. Stock browser remains the default as I want to keep Flash and full screen browsing.
ZachPatterson said:
Also, I believe it's been stated that it will never get Flash support (Officially...?)
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Click to collapse
Correct.
From Google: https://developers.google.com/chrome/mobile/docs/faq
From Adobe: http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplayer/2012/02/flash-chrome-for-android-beta.html

Chrome has lagged for me from day 1 since it released, while stock was always smooth. I've never understood all the people who see opposite. I just thought I lived in the twilight zone.
So your results are normal to me. Plus chrome runs a huge service that never closes and skews multitasking.
Plus stock has invert color option for all black web pages. And the quick controls on side of the screen. To me the stock browser pretty much destroys chrome in every way. I think chrome gets better html5 scores though.

I used to use the stock browser, but I recently switched over to Firefox Beta. Now, before you all say that Firefox is slow as hell, the current beta has a new UI that is actually pretty fast. Not as fast as stock is, but the fact that Firefox has addons more than makes up for that. Adblock Plus, and other addons are a must for me. Although I have AdAway to block ads globally, it does not get rid of the empty spaces inside webpages. Adblock Plus does this. I'm currently using FF as my main browser and stock as my backup browser.

I'm a big fan of Opera Mobile since WM6.1.
I like the start page with the thumbs/shortcuts. Stock doesn't have it.
I like that all the controls are at the bottom of the screen. Stock tab control is on the top which is not convenient to switch between tabs (and I'm using tabs a lot).
Go for Opera mobile!!
PS: I have no idea how slow/fast is Opera. Because I didn't compare it.

I have tried most of the browsers,they have beautiful features but they are not as fast as stock so i always return to stock after trying
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA

Chrome has potential but it is a resource hog just like on the PC and double-tap zoom bugs out a lot, and doesn't even work at all on images.
Stock still wins, unless you need to download a large file... Opera handles that much better.
-Sent via XDA Premium-

Chrome will never get flash because all new browsers are going to be using HTML5
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using XDA

I think they both have similar performance (minus one not having flash). But I think chrome does some things better than the stock browser.
It handles tabs much better vs stock without quick controls. It will also zoom in with a little popup window if you press on two links which are close together so you can select the right one. Also, when pinch zooming the browser doesn't wait until you lift your fingers to render the rest of the page.
Some people may also prefer the fact that the nav bar is persistent in chrome.
Sent via Galaxy Nexus

bullka said:
I'm a big fan of Opera Mobile since WM6.1.
I like the start page with the thumbs/shortcuts. Stock doesn't have it.
I like that all the controls are at the bottom of the screen. Stock tab control is on the top which is not convenient to switch between tabs (and I'm using tabs a lot).
Go for Opera mobile!!
PS: I have no idea how slow/fast is Opera. Because I didn't compare it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not use the quick control on stock browser? It has a real great tab control, just slide and hold. And the quick control appears on any part of the screen you want.

Chome vs AOSP browser

Am I the only person who's not particularly impressed with Chrome? In comparison to the stock browser (which thanks to Censura_Umbra is now installed on my N7) it's slow, clunky, takes up too much screen real estate and has a tendency to butcher page layout.
Take Engadget, for example. Chrome takes at least 10 seconds to completely load the page, and scrolling more than a screen and a half leaves you staring at the white background waiting for the page to finish rendering.
On top of that it only responds to one swipe in three and the bookmarks implementation is borked. It's nice to sync tabs between my PC but if that's the sole benefit Google shot themselves in the foot with this.
What's the point of Project Butter if the main thing that people use their phones or tablets for isn't optimised at all?

Chrome works great for me. But on my nexus phone on the other hand, is the opposite. It takes up so much space, takes forever to load, slow page rendering, slow animations and very frequent freezing and crashing

I don't get my N7 until Monday, but am curious about Chrome. I tried it on my PC, but went back to Firefox. On my phone and Galaxy Player I use Xscope because I can zoom any mobile page. Mobile pages are much better than they use to be and my preferred viewing method.
Does Chrome pinch zoom on all mobile pages? (say Facebook for example) If not then Xscope may be the 1st thing I change (other than adding GO Launcher)

It is indeed slow but the syncing of bookmarks is why i use it. Plus i can see which pages i have open on my desktop.
Mandated from Stannis Baratheon

I'm not sure what you guys are talking about. Chrome is the fastest browser on my Note, Nexus 7 and Captivate.
OTOH I've only tried the crappy built-in browser, Opera, Dolphin HD, Dolphin Mini and a couple others. Am I missing something here?

tcat007 said:
I don't get my N7 until Monday, but am curious about Chrome. I tried it on my PC, but went back to Firefox. On my phone and Galaxy Player I use Xscope because I can zoom any mobile page. Mobile pages are much better than they use to be and my preferred viewing method.
Does Chrome pinch zoom on all mobile pages? (say Facebook for example) If not then Xscope may be the 1st thing I change (other than adding GO Launcher)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll very likely have problems with Chrome if your have firefox installed on the same computer, if you really want to enjoy a bugeless Chrome experience then you'll have to get rid of firefox and I'm speaking from experience. I used to use firefox before but I've found Chrome to be faster, smoother and much more intuitive.
On my SGSIII I find Chrome to be a very Good browser, better than stock. The only two issue I find with Chrome are the lack of flash and the poor text reflow after pinch to zoom. If you want perfect text reflow after pinch to zoom, then jettison Chrome and go for "boat browser"

Chrome on the PC is great. On the phone / tablet... not so much.
Those looking for an example, visit the desktop version of Engadget in Chrome and try scrolling.

David Horn said:
Chrome on the PC is great. On the phone / tablet... not so much.
Those looking for an example, visit the desktop version of Engadget in Chrome and try scrolling.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the problem here? I tried this on an old SGS i9000 and the only issues I have are a little bit of stuttering, although I'd put that down to my underpowered phone(?)
P.S I'm not just here to challenge you. I'm genuinely interested, thinking of getting a Nexus 7 as it's pretty much the only tablet I can afford

On the N7, if the page is still loading, as you try to scroll it'll show a page of white while it finishes rendering, which is really slow compared to the stock browser which has the page ready to go within seconds.
Chrome is smooth IF you wait for the page to finish rendering - which can be several seconds after it's finished loading.

David Horn said:
On the N7, if the page is still loading, as you try to scroll it'll show a page of white while it finishes rendering, which is really slow compared to the stock browser which has the page ready to go within seconds.
Chrome is smooth IF you wait for the page to finish rendering - which can be several seconds after it's finished loading.
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Click to collapse
Ah I see, thanks for that. I wonder why one is so much faster at rendering, perhaps one uses the CPU & the other shoves it onto the GPU? I don't really know, just speculating. But it's something to look into should I get one

aosp has flash which is whats great. but other than that..chrome is better if it supported flash.

Thanks for the love lol
But I love chrome, I do wish it was a bit more minimalistic (like how aosp hides the bar unless you scroll.) If it had flash and an easy way to swipe away open tabs, It would be happy.
I only installed AOSP for a stable and minimal flash browser.

I have Chrome on my laptop, phone and N7- I've never had a problem. I used to be an aggressive Firefox user but it was so slow on my phone (which is admittedly old) I just gave up.
The tabs and bookmark sync are just too attractive to resist.

I personally like the AOSP browser better than the Chrome browser. Chrome is still young though so I think at some point it will surpass the AOSP browser.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Chrome: no full screen....no default user agent....no use.

Does the AOSP browser have any sync capabilities?

AtropineNa said:
Does the AOSP browser have any sync capabilities?
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Not on the nexus 7. They cause force closing so they are disabled. Probably due to Chrome's syncing. You could try removing all of chrome. That might fix it
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

I don't mind chrome ..it does its job fine for me
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium