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Joined 8 months ago
Cake day: May 16th, 2024
  • sous_merdeAtotest•Polling the group: what do y'all know about the Orion browser from Kagi?
    0·
    2 months ago

    Dunno if it’s a serious question, you’re probably just testing how to make a poll, but my vote would be negative : never heard of it before.

    For those who may read this and be interested(, it’s only for macOS and iOS), here’s a quick ChatGPT take :

    The Orion browser by Kagi is relatively new but has been getting some attention for its privacy-focused approach and unique features. Here’s a quick rundown of what makes Orion stand out :
    - Privacy by Design : Orion is built with a strong emphasis on privacy, similar to what Kagi does with its search engine. It doesn’t use telemetry or track users, which appeals to people who value data protection and minimal online tracking.
    - Native Ad & Tracker Blocking : Orion has built-in tools to block ads and trackers without needing extra extensions. This is useful for faster browsing and a cleaner interface.
    - Support for Safari and Chrome Extensions : One standout feature is Orion’s support for both Safari and Chrome extensions, giving users access to a wider range of tools and customizations compared to other privacy-focused browsers that often have limited extension compatibility.
    - Performance : Many users report that Orion is lightweight and fast, particularly on macOS, where it’s designed to be energy-efficient and make the most of Apple’s hardware. This might make it a great option if you’re looking for something faster or less resource-intensive than the major browsers.
    - Customizable Search Options : Orion’s integration with Kagi as the default search engine aligns with its privacy goals, but it also allows users to set other search engines if they prefer, keeping the experience flexible.
    Orion is still in active development, so it might not have every feature yet, but it’s shaping up to be an interesting option, especially if privacy and speed are top priorities for you.

    More ?

    - Native Integration with macOS : Orion is designed to feel like a native macOS app, leveraging Apple’s design language and system integration. This means it supports macOS-specific features, like native gestures, native notifications, and power efficiency tailored to Mac hardware, making it feel well-integrated for Apple users.
    - Focus Mode : Orion has a built-in “Focus Mode” feature, which minimizes distractions by hiding unnecessary elements on the screen. This feature can be useful for users who want an uncluttered browsing experience, particularly when reading articles or doing research.
    - Session Isolation and Management : Orion offers robust session management features, allowing users to keep multiple sessions open and isolated within the same browser window. This is particularly handy for people who want to stay logged into different accounts simultaneously without using incognito windows or separate browser profiles.
    - Privacy Report : Orion includes a privacy report that gives users a breakdown of blocked trackers and ad statistics, allowing users to see how the browser is actively working to protect their data in real-time.
    - Low Memory Footprint : Orion is designed to consume less RAM compared to other major browsers. This is a key benefit for users with limited system resources or for those who run multiple applications simultaneously and need to maximize available memory.
    - Support for Custom Styles and Scripts : Orion allows users to apply custom CSS and JavaScript to specific websites, giving advanced users more control over how they interact with and modify the visual presentation or functionality of web pages.
    - Experimental Features and Rapid Updates : Orion’s team is focused on adding experimental features quickly based on user feedback, which means the browser evolves rapidly. This responsiveness is particularly appealing for users who like to try out the latest features and enhancements as they’re developed.

    And if you had to list the inconvenients ?

    - Limited Platform Availability : Currently, Orion is only available for macOS and iOS. This limits its adoption to Apple users and means users on Windows, Linux, or Android are left without support, which could also hinder its growth and ecosystem development.
    - Less Mature Extension Ecosystem : Although Orion supports both Safari and Chrome extensions, some extensions may not perform as smoothly or reliably on Orion as they would on Chrome or Firefox. Compatibility issues can arise, and certain complex extensions may not work at all.
    - Lack of Sync Across Devices : Orion doesn’t yet support seamless data syncing (like bookmarks, tabs, and browsing history) across multiple devices, a feature that’s standard in most mainstream browsers. This can be a dealbreaker for users who switch frequently between devices.
    - Small Development Team : Orion is developed by a small team, which could mean slower responses to bugs and fewer resources for continuous improvements. While Kagi is committed to privacy and quality, the smaller team size could impact the speed of feature rollouts and long-term support.
    - Potential for Performance Variability : Although Orion is optimized for macOS, some users may still encounter occasional performance issues, especially when managing many tabs or extensions. Its efficiency may vary depending on the specific Mac model and OS version, as Orion hasn’t been around long enough to be highly optimized across all hardware configurations.
    - Fewer Built-in Features : Orion’s minimalist design may lack some features users are accustomed to in browsers like Chrome or Firefox. For instance, tools for developer debugging or advanced tab management might feel limited to power users who rely on those features for productivity.
    - Compatibility Limitations with Certain Websites : Since Orion uses WebKit (like Safari), some websites that are optimized primarily for Chromium-based browsers may not display or function as expected. WebKit’s rendering can cause occasional incompatibilities with certain web applications.
    - Less Customization than Power Browsers : While Orion does offer some customization options, it may not reach the level of browsers like Vivaldi, which are built specifically for high customizability. Orion’s philosophy leans towards simplicity, which might feel restrictive to users looking for extensive interface and behavior modifications.

    Is it based on Chromium ?

    No, the Orion browser is not based on Chromium. It utilizes the WebKit engine, the same engine that powers Apple’s Safari browser. This choice allows Orion to offer a fast and energy-efficient browsing experience, while also supporting a wide range of web standards and protocols.

    It’s probably fair to assume that it wouldn’t be as well developed for coding(, console, element inspector, …,) as other browsers.

    Made me think of LadyBird(, more interested in notepads personally but i can understand why escaping the Chromium domination would be a plus)

    (Thanks for letting me have admin powers b.t.w., it’s indispensable for testing)

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