Jump to content

Maxthon: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
←Replaced content with 'probably spyware'
Tags: possible vandalism blanking
m Reverting possible vandalism by 86.164.204.109 to version by Adrin10. Report False Positive? Thanks, ClueBot NG. (2915588) (Bot)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{multiple issues|
probably spyware
{{repetition|date=January 2015}}
{{cleanup-rewrite|date=January 2015}}
}}
{{Infobox web browser
| name = Maxthon
| logo = Maxthonlogo.svg
| logo alt = Maxthon logo
| logo size =
| screenshot = Maxthon_Browser_UI.png
| screenshot alt = Screenshot of Maxthon
| screenshot size =
| caption = Screenshot of Maxthon Cloud Browser (Version 4) taken on [[Windows 8]]
| collapsible =
| author =
| slogan =
| developer = Maxthon International Ltd (北京傲游天下科技有限公司)
| released = {{Start date and age|2005}}
| ver layout = stacked
| discontinued =
| status = Active
| programming language =
| operating system = [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[macOS]], [[IOS]], [[Windows Phone]], [[Linux]]
| included with =
| engines = [[Trident (layout engine)|Trident]] and [[WebKit]]
| platform =
| size = {{Nowrap|~39 [[Megabyte|MB]]}}
| language =
| language count = 53
| language footnote = <ref>[http://usa.maxthon.com/translate-maxthon/ Translate Maxthon]</ref>
| genre = [[Web browser]]
| license = [[Freeware]]
| website = {{URL|http://www.maxthon.com/}}
| standard =
| AsOf =
}}

'''Maxthon''' ({{zh|c=傲游浏览器}}, originally known as '''MyIE2''') is a [[freeware]] [[web browser]] for [[Windows]], [[macOS]] and [[Linux]], developed by Chinese company '''Maxthon Ltd''' based in [[Beijing]]. It is also available on [[Windows Phone 8]],<ref name="thirtysix"/> [[iOS]]<ref name="five"/> and [[Android (operating system)|Android]]<ref name="six"/> platforms as Maxthon Mobile. Since the release of version 3, Maxthon supports both the [[Trident (layout engine)|Trident]] and the [[WebKit]] rendering engines.<ref name="seven"/>

Maxthon won [[CNET]] WebWare 100 Awards in 2008<ref name="eight"/> and 2009,<ref name="nine"/> and was #97 in ''[[PCWorld]]'''s list of the 100 Best Products of 2011.<ref name="ten"/> In July 2016, concerns were raised regarding the browser's security weakness, when it was found out by cybersecurity experts that it sends "ad blocker status, homepage URL, websites visited by the user (including online searches), and installed applications to a server in Beijing, China" via HTTP, leaving the user information "valuable for a malicious actor looking to conduct a targeted attack."<ref>http://www.securityweek.com/maxthon-browser-sends-sensitive-data-china</ref>

==Overview==
Maxthon is a Chinese company known mainly for producing [[Windows]] web browsers.<ref name="maxthonabout"/> It is headquartered in [[Beijing]], with offices in [[Shanghai]], [[Hong Kong]] and [[San Francisco]], US. Most of Maxthon's engineers are based in the corporate headquarters in Beijing, which develop and maintain versions of the Maxthon web browser for Windows, [[macOS]], [[iOS]], [[Windows Phone]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]].<ref name="mattson"/>

Maxthon has also created other products that include a Chinese language news and information portal [http://i.maxthon.cn i.maxthon.cn], a Chinese language casual gaming portal and humor website, a ‘Kid Safe’ web browser for Android and iOS, a free online account system called [http://my.maxthon.cn/login.html Maxthon Passport], and an English language news and information web portal [http://i.maxthon.com/en-us/ i.maxthon.com].<ref name="thirtytwo"/>

==Corporate history==
In 1999, current CEO Ming Jie "Jeff" Chen ({{zh|c=陈明杰|p=Chén Míngjié}}) founded [[Hong Kong]]-based Mysoft International Limited to distribute the MyIE browser.<ref name="seventeen"/> In 2005 the company received [[seed funding]] from [[venture capital]] firm [http://www.wiharper.com/ WI Harper Group] and [[Morten Lund (investor)|Morten Lund]], the first [[Skype]] investor, and Chen moved the company to [[Beijing]].<ref name="eighteen"/><ref name="nineteen"/> In 2006, Maxthon received further investment from the US-based [[venture capital]] firm [[Charles River Ventures]].<ref name="fifteen"/>

On April 10, 2007, ''[[TechCrunch]]'' reported that [[Google]] had invested at least US$1 million in Maxthon;<ref name="twenty"/> this was denied the following day by Chen.<ref name="twentyone"/> However, in an interview with the Chinese [[Web portal|portal]] [[Sina.com]], Chen did not rule out future "co-operation" between the two businesses.<ref name="twentytwo"/>

Maxthon won [[CNET]] WebWare 100 Awards in 2008<ref name="eight"/> and 2009,<ref name="nine"/> and was #97 in ''[[PCWorld]]'''s list of the 100 Best Products of 2011.<ref name="ten"/>

Maxthon was one of the twelve browsers [[Microsoft]] presented in 2010 at [[BrowserChoice.eu]], a website that allows users of [[Windows]] residing in the [[European Economic Area]] to choose which default web browser they would like to use on their computer.<ref name="twentythree"/> In late 2010 Maxthon began releasing new compatibilities, including browsers for Android<ref name="six"/> Mac,<ref name="sixteen"/> [[iPhone]]<ref name="thirtynine"/> and [[iPad]].<ref name="forty"/> As of August 2012, Maxthon is still in the first tier of browsers in BrowserChoice.eu after the removal of [[Apple Safari]].<ref name="eu"/> The Maxthon Cloud Browser was released on December 10, 2012.<ref name="fortyone"/>

==Software==

===Development philosophy===
According to Maxthon VP and Assistant CEO Karl Mattson, Maxthon develops its web browsers with three goals:
# High performance and standards support.
# An 'out of the box' experience with more integrated features than other browsers.
# 'Seamless browsing.' Sometimes referred to as 'portability' by the company, this is a commitment to offering users the ability to 'pick up where they left off' by having parts of their web browsing synced to an encrypted, free cloud account and then pushed to other platforms.<ref name="mattson"/>

===Development history===
According to Maxthon International CEO Ming Jie "Jeff" Chen, Maxthon was based on MyIE, a popular modification created by Chinese programmer Changyou to customize [[Internet Explorer]] web browser.<ref name="eleven"/><ref name="twelve"/> Changyou posted most of the source code<ref name="thirteen"/> for MyIE on his [[Bulletin board system]] before leaving the project in 2000. Chen then continued independently developing MyIE and in 2002 released a new version, MyIE2.<ref name="fourteen"/> Users around the world were quite active in contributing to MyIE2's development, adding many [[Plug-in (computing)|plugins]], [[Skin (computing)|skins]] and assisting with [[debugging]]. MyIE2 was renamed Maxthon in 2003.<ref name="fifteen"/><ref name="eleven"/>

Maxthon 2 was introduced in July 2007,<ref name="maxthontwos"/> and Maxthon 3 was released in October 2010. Later that year Maxthon began introducing browsers for portable devices; in December Maxthon for Android<ref name="six"/> was released.<ref name="thirtyeight"/> On July 7, 2012, Maxthon for Mac<ref name="sixteen"/> was released,<ref name="thirtyseven"/> with Maxthon for iPhone<ref name="thirtynine"/> and iPad released in August 2012.<ref name="forty"/> On December 10, 2012, Maxthon Cloud Browser, also dubbed Maxthon 4, hit the market.<ref name="fortyone"/>

===Features===
The following are accumulated features of the Maxthon browser, culminating in Maxthon 4.
*Split screen option: divides open tabs into left and right of screen when this option is chosen; Sides operate independently. This feature is unavailable since version 4.9.{{Citation needed|date=March 2016}}
*[[Tabbed document interface]]
*Saves open tabs in case of program shutdown or system [[Crash (computing)|crash]]
*Undo for any tabs accidentally closed
*AD Hunter - an [[ad blocking]] utility that blocks [[pop-up ad]]s, [[Web banner]] and floating ads in webpages
*[[Adobe Flash]], [[Java applet]] and [[ActiveX]] blocker
*Support for custom [[Skin (computing)|skins]]
*Customizable tabs and user interface
*Programmable [[mouse gesture]]s and [[mouse chording]]
*External utility bar – a toolbar that allows you to open third-party programs
*[[RSS reader]]
*Supports many [[Internet Explorer]] [[Plug-in (computing)|plugins]] as well as plugins of its own
*Partial [[Gecko (layout engine)|Gecko engine]] support with the use of a third-party program
*A user extensible [[Search engine technology|search]] toolbar with 8 default search engines
*Automatic updates
*Groups – the ability to bookmark & open multiple pages simultaneously
*URL aliases – open URLs by just typing a word in the address bar
*Simple collector – a small notepad-like utility, used to collect text from web pages. Scripts and macros can be run in the current web page
*Integrated web services – user extensible, including by default translators, Google's cached version of pages, Whois, and anonymous [[web proxy|web proxies]]

===Data privacy issues===
In 2016 [[computer security]] researchers from [[Fidelis Cybersecurity]] and [[Exatel]] discovered the browser surreptitiously sending sensitive browsing and system data—such as ad blocker status, websites visited, searches conducted and applications installed with their version numbers—to remote servers located in Beijing, China. According to Maxthon, the data is sent as part of the company's 'User Experience Improvement Program' and that it is "voluntary and totally anonymous." However, researchers found the data still being collected and transmitted to remote servers even after users explicitly [[opt-out|opted-out]] of the program. The researchers further found the data being transmitted over an [[plaintext|unencrypted]] connection ([[HTTP]]), leaving users vulnerable to [[man-in-the-middle attack]]s. Fidelis' [[Chief Security Officer]], Justin Harvey, noted the data ''"...contains almost everything you would want in conducting a reconnaissance operation to know exactly where to attack. Knowing the exact operating system and installed applications, and browsing habits it would be trivial to send a perfectly crafted [[phishing#List of phishing types|spearphish]] to the victim or perhaps set up a [[watering hole attack]] on one of their most frequented websites."''<ref>
*{{cite web|author1=Kovacs, Eduard|title=Maxthon Browser Sends Sensitive Data to China|url=http://www.securityweek.com/maxthon-browser-sends-sensitive-data-china|publisher=''SecurityWeek''|accessdate=16 July 2016|date=14 July 2016}}
*{{cite web|author1=Abel, Robert|title=Maxthon browser vulnerable to Chinese cyberespionage and MitM attacks|url=http://www.scmagazine.com/maxthon-browser-sends-personal-data-to-china-and-vulnerable-to-mitm-attacks/article/509634/|publisher=''[[SC Magazine]]''|accessdate=16 July 2016|date=14 July 2016}}
*{{cite web|author1=Koliba, Ján|title=Vážna hrozba: Webový prehliadač Maxthon špehuje, všetko posiela|url=http://www.zive.sk/clanok/116376/vazna-hrozba-webovy-prehliadac-maxthon-spehuje-vsetko-posiela|website=www.zive.sk|publisher=[[Ringier]] / [[Axel Springer]]|accessdate=16 July 2016|language=[[Slovak language|Slovak]]|date=16 July 2016}}
*{{cite web|author1=Weisensee, Jan|title=Maxthon-Browser sendet kritische Daten nach China|url=http://www.golem.de/news/spaehsoftware-maxthon-browser-sendet-sensible-daten-nach-china-1607-122138.html|website=Golem.de|accessdate=16 July 2016|language=German|date=15 July 2016}}
*{{cite web|author1=Soeteman, Krijn|title=Maxthon-browser stuurt zonder toestemming gegevens door naar server in China|url=https://tweakers.net/nieuws/113631/maxthon-browser-stuurt-zonder-toestemming-gegevens-door-naar-server-in-china.html|website=[[Tweakers.net]]|publisher=Persgroep Online Services|accessdate=16 July 2016|language=[[Dutch language|Dutch]]|date=15 July 2016}}
</ref>

==Browser versions==
{{Prose|section|date=July 2016}}
===Version 1.x===
Maxthon version 1, which continued version 0 of MyIE2, was an [[Internet Explorer shell]] that implemented a [[Tab (GUI)|tabbed browser]] using the [[Trident (layout engine)|Trident]] [[layout engine]] which Microsoft introduced with [[Internet Explorer 4]].<ref name="twentyfour"/> As such, version 1 was compatible with every version of Windows from [[Windows 95]] to [[Windows 7]].<ref name="twentyfive"/> Development of version 1 stopped in 2010 with the so-called Maxthon (Classic), version 1.6.7.35;<ref name="twentyfive"/> earlier releases are available from Maxthon,<ref name="twentysix"/> and version 1.6.7.35, which fixed a bug in selecting the default search engine, is still available at other download sites.<ref name="twentyseven"/><ref name="twentyeight"/>

There are a number of add-ons available for Maxthon Classic,<ref name="twentynine"/> and more are available through discussion forums.<ref name="thirty"/> Specific threads may provide direct download links as well.<ref name="thirtyone"/> Some add-ons are build-specific, but in that case, a clear indication of compatibility can often be found.

Maxthon 1.3.1 have brought cloud-based service for online syncing bookmarks (favorites) in 2005.

===Version 2.x===
Maxthon Browser 2 is a multi-tab browser released in July 2007.<ref name="maxthontwos"/> A later modification in 2008 was the first browser on the market to offer cloud-based services for syncing bookmarks and history.<ref name="maxthonabout"/> Version 2.x also blocks malicious plug-ins to prevent pop-ups and floating ads, and supports a variety of plug-in tools and IE extensions. It also supports a wide variety of skins and is customizable. New features included:<ref name="thirtytwo"/>

*'''Maxthon Passport''': once the user signs in and registers for free Passport Membership, avatar remains in that space for future visits<ref name="fortythree"/>
*'''Multi Tab Manager''': right-clicking on the 'Tab menu' brings up a function intended to make browsing and other operations more efficient.
*'''Mouse Gestures''': right clicking and performing gestures with the mouse allows users to trigger customizable actions.
*'''Maxthon Smart Accelerator''': the built-in is intended to increase browsing speed (see icon at Maxthon status bar)
*[[Autofill]] capability: automatically saves content entered into [[Form (HTML)|web forms]] and fills them automatically in the future.
*'''Undo list''': after closing a webpage accidentally, the Undo button and Undo can restore it. All closed pages and browsing history are recorded in Undo list.
*'''Online Favorites''': registering as a Maxthon Passport member allows instant access to cloud syncing services like online favorites.
*[[Feed reader]]: native [[Web syndication]] client.
*'''Super Drag and Drop''': users can [[drag and drop]] selected text for a web search in their default search engine, or drag and drop a selected link or image to open in a new tab.
*'''URL alias''': through 'tab right click menu,' users can assign a 'special/sticky name' to a webpage, which can be entered in the address bar to open the corresponding webpage. Naming is possible through the 'right click tab menu.'
*'''Super agent''': supports the adoption of [[HTTP]], [[HTTPS]], Socks4, Socks4a, Socks5, and other internet connection proxies, and also supports proxy that require authentication. By setting the Advanced Proxy Rule, the Maxthon Web browser can automatically switch to different proxy servers.
*'''External Tools''': users can add commonly used (i.e. possibly IE compatible only){{clarify|date=October 2013}} tools and software shortcuts to their Maxthon browser. The software can be set to start up and shut down with the Maxthon browser.
*'''Web Toolbar''': provides users with a set of commonly used small features. Among them The Maxthon website brings together a number of entertainment and social networking sites.
*'''AD blocking''': through the menu "Webpage Content Block," Ad Hunter can block pop-ups, ads and malicious web harassment. Supports customizable filters.
*'''URL Key''': through settings center, set an URL Key and press a function key to open one or more URLs.
*'''Web Sniffer''': Web sniffer can capture [[FLV]] media files from video sites, allowing for download and saving. Users can also customize the type of files to sniff for.
*'''Screen Capture''': users can arbitrarily snap a whole page, a region, a specified window and page content to the clipboard. Users can also configure the saving path and file format of the screenshot through setting options.
*'''Maxthon Download''': without having to call other download programs, using the browser’s built-in Maxthon download can complete numbers of small download tasks. The Maxthon download manager has several features.
*'''[[Browser extension|Plug-ins]] (Extensions)''': plug-ins can be used or programmed and shared with other users
*'''[[Skin (computing)|Skin]]s''': different skins available.

===Version 3.x===
Maxthon 3 was released in the fall of 2010, after a beta period of 8 months.<ref name="fortytwo"/> It has both [[Trident (layout engine)|Trident]] and [[Webkit]] layout engines. New features included:<ref name="thirtythree"/>

*'''Dual Display Engines''': Maxthon uses the Ultra Mode, powered by the Webkit rendering engine, by default. It will switch automatically to Retro Mode, powered by the Trident-rendering engine, as needed to display older-style Web pages.
*'''Mouse Gesture''': Maxthon's Mouse Gesture feature lets you navigate through the web by moving the mouse in patterns that tell the browser to go back, forward, refresh, and even hide.
*'''Super Drag & Drop''': allows Drag and Drop to open new pages and images or perform a web search.
*'''Smart Address Bar''': allows searching by typing keywords directly into address bar
*'''Magic Fill''': Maxthon securely saves names and passwords of visited websites, then fills in that information upon return.
*'''AD Hunter''': removes advertisements with one click and automatically blocks pop-up windows.
*'''Maxthon Passport''': once the user sign-ins and registers for free Passport Membership, avatar remains in that space for future visits.<ref name="fortythree"/>
*'''Online Favorites''': registering as a Maxthon Passport member allows instant access to cloud syncing services like online favorites.
*'''Multi Search''': after selecting Maxthon Multi Search, user can input keywords in the address or search bar. Maxthon Multi Search shows what multiple search engines return for the query.

===Maxthon Cloud Browser===
Also known as Maxthon Cloud, Maxthon 4 was released on December 10, 2012.<ref name="fortyone"/> At the same time it released [http://my.maxthon.com/login.html Passport] and its cloud features.<ref name="infiniti"/> Maxthon Passport allowed users to sign-in and register for free Passport Membership, and their avatar remains in that space for future visits. Registering also gives users access to cloud syncing services like online favorites.<ref name="fortythree"/> New features include:<ref name="thirtyfour"/>

*'''Cloud Push''': supports sending text, images, websites/links and tabs to Mac, Android and Windows operating systems.
*'''Cloud Share''': supports sharing text, images, websites/links and files online.
*'''Cloud Download''': supports downloading files in various formats and uploading them to [[My Cloud]] for backup on any device.
*'''My Cloud Tabs''': lets users remember previous sessions, by automatically syncing tabs to iOS, Windows or Android devices.
*'''Cloud Sync''': Syncs account data (Favorites, Settings and Magic Fill data) to other devices.
*'''Reader Mode''': adjusts font sizes and removes ads on articles for visibility, with a "'''night mode'''" option for low light.
*'''Magic Fill''': Maxthon securely saves names and passwords of visited websites, then fills in that information upon return.
*'''Ad Hunter''': removes advertisements with one click, and automatically blocks pop-up windows.
*'''New Session''': users and gamers can simultaneously log into the same website with different accounts.
*'''Source Sniffer''': extract all photos, embedded videos and audio files from a web page and download them.
*'''SkyNote''': save and access text notes anywhere, and sync them across Windows and Android.
*"[[Do Not Track]]": privacy from ad networks and beacons.
*[[Google Safe Browsing]]: identifies websites and warns if they are not safe and not secure before visiting.
*[[Privacy mode]]: disables browsing history.

====For Mac====
In July 2012, Maxthon Cloud Browser for [[macOS]]<ref name="two"/> was released.<ref name="thirtysix"/> It allows Mac users with a Maxthon Passport account to keep all user data in sync across different devices and operating systems.<ref name="thirtysix"/><ref name="sixteen"/> New features include:

*'''Cloud Push''': supports sending text, images, websites/links and tabs to Mac, Android and Windows operating systems.
*'''Cloud Share''': supports sharing text, images, websites/links and files with other people.
*'''Cloud Download''': supports downloading files in various formats and uploading them to 'My Cloud' for backup on any device.
*'''My Cloud Tabs''': lets users remember previous sessions, by automatically syncing tabs to iOS, Windows or Android devices.
*'''Cloud Sync''': allows for syncing of bookmarks, favorites, and other content across Windows, Mac and Android devices.
*'''Super Drag and Drop''': allows user to highlight a URL or webpage text, then drag and drop into the Address Bar to open a new page or execute a web search.
*'''Mouse Gesture''': allows for simple shape creation with the mouse, and trigger commands like Refresh, Close Tab, Page Top/Down and Previous/Next Tab.
*'''Extension Center''': company supported feature for finding browser extensions, compatible with [[Google Chrome]] extensions.<ref name="thirtytwo"/>
*'''"Do Not Track"''': privacy from ad networks and beacons.
*[[Adobe Flash]] support pre-installed in software.
*All user data [[data encryption|encrypted]] for security.

It is downloadable free of charge from the [[Mac App Store]].

===Maxthon Mobile===

====For Android====
Maxthon Mobile for Android, a version for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] phones, was first released in 2010,<ref name="thirtyfive"/> followed in 2011 by a version optimized for 10 inch tablets.<ref name="fourteen"/> New features in 2012 included:

*'''Cloud Push''': supports sending text, images, websites/links and tabs to Mac, Android and Windows operating systems.
*'''Cloud Share''': supports sharing text, images, websites/links and files online
*'''Cloud Download''': supports downloading files in various formats and uploading them to 'My Cloud' for backup on any device.
*'''Cloud Tabs''': lets users remember previous sessions, by automatically syncing tabs to iOS, Windows or Android devices.
*'''Sync Bookmarks/Favorites''': sync Favorites across Windows, Mac and iOS devices.
*Full screen browsing
*'''App Center''': function to find and group web apps and content.
*'''Super Gesture:''': allows for the use of gestures to create, close, switch and restore tabs.
*'''Read-Ahead''': preloads pages automatically.
*'''Reader Mode''': adjusts font sizes and removes ads on articles for visibility, with a "'''night mode'''" option for low light

====For iOS====
Maxthon Mobile for [[iOS]] was launched in July 2012, for [[iPhone]],<ref name="thirtynine"/> [[iPad]], and iOS universal. Maxthon Cloud Browser for iOS saves and syncs key settings, content and features for users across multiple platforms and other devices. Mouse gestures can control the opening and switching between tabs.<ref name="forty"/><ref name="three"/>
New features include:

*'''Cloud Push''': supports sending text, images, websites/links and tabs to Mac, Android and Windows operating systems.
*'''Cloud Share''': supports sharing text, images, websites/links and files online
*'''Cloud Download''': supports downloading files in various formats and uploading them to 'My Cloud' for backup on any device.
*'''Cloud Tabs''': lets users remember previous sessions, by automatically syncing tabs to iOS, Windows or Android devices.
*'''Sync Bookmarks/Favorites''': works across Windows, Mac and iOS devices.
*'''Reader Mode''': adjusts font sizes and removes ads on articles for visibility, with a "night mode" option for low light
*'''Brightness Control''': adjust screen brightness within the browser.
*'''Portrait Orientation Lock''': supports switching the screen orientation in Maxthon Browser.
*'''Privacy Protection''': allows browsing without tracking
*'''New User Interface''': full-screen browsing mode.

====For Windows Phone====
{{Empty section|date=January 2017}}

==Release history (version 4+)==
{{Cleanup|section|reason=This needs to be written as a version list, see [[Android version history]] for example|date=January 2015}}

===Windows===
The browser for [[Windows]], version 4.0.6.1200 (2013-5-6), introduced Maxthon Skin and various bug fixes. 4.1.0.4000 (2013-7-11), fixed a number of bugs related to closing tabs and launching the browser. It also updated [[Adobe Flash Player|Flash]] to the latest official version and improved [[Webkit]] stability. The Beta release 4.1.2.1200 (2013-8-1) introduced touch zooming and panning in [[win8]], [[HTML5]] online/offline operation, and [[CSS]] Filter [[GPU]] Acceleration.<ref name="changelogwindows"/>

===Mac===
[[macOS|Mac]] version 4.0.6.2000 (2013-7-25) contained improvements such as better support for [[PDF]] and [[Adobe Flash|Flash]], while 4.0.6.3000 (2013-8-2) improved stability on [[Mac OS X Lion|Mac OS X 10.7.0 and 10.7.2]].<ref name="changelogmac"/>

===Android===
[[Android (OS)|Android]] browser version 4.0.4.1000 (2013-03-28) included new features, such as an automatic [[User interface|UI]] adjustment for tablets with screens larger than 7 inch, support links invoking native app (i.e., thunder://, ek2://, etc.), and a number of bug fixes. 4.0.5.2000, released less than a week later on April 3, added in features such as Cloud Push in Download Manager and via Lan transfer, with improvements such as adding a favorites button to the tool bar. 4.0.6.2000 (2013-6-09), included new features such as text auto-wrap in [[Android 4.0]] and above, phone contacts supported in Cloud Push, and Search keywords stay in address bar after performing a search. Improvements included the removal of [[Wireless Application Protocol|WWW]]/[[WAP 2.0|WAP]] mode switch.<ref name="changelogandroid"/>

===iOS===
Version 4.2 (2013-7-22) for [[iOS]] added new languages, URL autofill, related search keywords, browser history matching, and what is dubbed "Lightning-fast Cloud Push" via [[LAN]]. Version 4.2.1, released a week later on July 29, included bug fixes for [[iPhone4]].<ref name="changelogios"/>

==See also==

*[[List of web browsers]]
*[[Comparison of web browsers]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em|refs =

<ref name="infiniti">{{Cite web
|url = http://infinigeek.com/maxthon-launches-new-cloud-browser/
|title = Maxthon Launches New 'Cloud Browser'
|work = INfiniGeek
|publisher =
|date = December 2010
|accessdate = August 1, 2013
|first =
|last =
}}</ref>

<ref name="fortytwo">{{cite news
| title = Maxthon 3.0 Released
| author = THEORACLE
| url = http://www.lockergnome.com/uncategorized/2010/09/06/maxthon-3-0-released-will-using-two-rendering-engines-be-a-good-idea/
| publisher = Locker Gnome
| date = 2010-09-06
| accessdate = 2013-08-27
}}</ref>

<ref name="fortythree">{{cite news
| title = Maxthon Passport
| first =
| last =
| url = http://my.maxthon.com/
| newspaper =
| publisher = Maxthon International Limited.
| date =
| accessdate = 2013-08-27
}}</ref>

<ref name="two">[http://www.maxthon.com/mac/changelog/ Maxthon for Mac Changelog]</ref>

<ref name="three">[https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/maxthon-web-browser/id541052011?ls=1 Maxthon Cloud Browser on iTunes]</ref>

<ref name="thirtysix">{{cite news
| title = Maxthon Cloud Browser Released
| first = Venkat
| last = Eswarlu
| url = http://techdows.com/2012/12/maxthon-cloud-browser.html
| newspaper = Techdows
| publisher =
| date = December 10, 2012
| accessdate = 2013-08-27
}}</ref>

<ref name="eu">{{cite news
| title = Select your web browser(s)
| first =
| last =
| url = http://www.browserchoice.eu/BrowserChoice/browserchoice_en.htm
| newspaper =
| publisher = [[BrowserChoice.eu]]
| date =
| accessdate = 2013-08-27
}}</ref>

<ref name="maxthontwos">{{cite news
| title = Maxthon 2 web browser released
| first = Brad
| last = Linder
| url = http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2007/07/23/maxthon-2-web-browser-released/
| newspaper = Switched
| publisher =
| date = July 23, 2007
| accessdate = 2013-08-27
}}</ref>

<ref name="twentythree">BBC, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8537763.stm Microsoft offers browser choices to Europeans], 1 March 2010</ref>

<ref name="thirtynine">{{cite news
| title = Maxthon Web Browser Now Available for iPhone -- Offers Cross-Platform Syncing and Exclusive Features
| url = http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/maxthon-web-browser-now-available-for-iphone----offers-cross-platform-syncing-and-exclusive-features-166743426.html
| publisher = Maxthon
| date = 2012-08-20
| accessdate = 2013-08-27
}}</ref>

<ref name="fortyone">{{cite news
| title = Maxthon Browser 4 released and renamed: "Maxthon Cloud Browser"
| first = Mike
| last = Williams
| url = http://www.softwarecrew.com/2012/12/maxthon-4-released-and-renamed-now-maxthon-cloud-browser/
| newspaper = Software Crew
| publisher =
| date = 2012-12-10
| accessdate = 2013-08-27
}}</ref>

<ref name="forty">{{cite news
| title = Maxthon mobile browser now available for ios devices
| first = Shawn
| last = Knight
| url = http://www.techspot.com/news/49867-maxthon-mobile-browser-now-available-for-ios-devices.html
| newspaper = [[TechSpot]]
| date = 2012-08-21
| accessdate = 2013-08-27
}}</ref>

<ref name="five">{{cite web|title=Maxthon for iOS|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/maxthon-web-browser-for-ipad/id525367550?mt=8|publisher=Maxthon|accessdate=2 January 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="six">{{cite web|title=Maxthon for Android|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mx.browser&hl=en|publisher=Maxthon|accessdate=2 January 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="seven">{{cite web|title=Maxthon 3|url=http://wiki.maxthon.com/maxthon/|publisher=Maxthon|accessdate=23 November 2012}}</ref>

<ref name="ten">{{cite web
|url= http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/collection/9806/2011_best_tech.html
|title= 100 Best Products of 2011
|publisher= PCWorld Communications, Inc.
|accessdate= 12 January 2012
}}</ref>
<ref name="nine">{{Cite web
|url = http://news.cnet.com/8301-13546_109-10236948-29.html
|title = Webware 100 winner: Maxthon
|work = CNET
|publisher = CBS Interactive
|date = 19 May 2009
|accessdate = 8 February 2011
}}</ref>

<ref name="eight">{{Cite web
|url = http://news.cnet.com/8301-13546_109-9913352-29.html
|title = Webware 100 winner: Maxthon
|work = CNET
|publisher = CBS Interactive
|date = 21 April 2008
|accessdate = 8 February 2011
|first =Stephen
|last = Shankland
}}</ref>

<ref name="eleven">{{cite web
|title= Interview With Jeff Chen, The CEO Of Maxthon Ltd.
|first= Vygantas |last= Lipskas
|url= http://www.favbrowser.com/interview-with-jeff-chen-the-ceo-of-maxthon-ltd/
|work= FavBrowser.com
|date= 2011-10-24
|accessdate= 2011-11-12
}}</ref>

<ref name="twelve">{{cite web
|title= General FAQs - Maxthon Wiki
|url= http://wiki.maxthon.com/index.php/General_FAQs#What_is_MyIE.3F
|publisher= Maxthon International Limited
|accessdate= 2011-11-12
}}</ref>

<ref name="thirteen">{{cite web
|title= MyIE Original Visual C++ Source Code Download...
|url= http://www.angelfire.com/fang/myiesource/
|accessdate= 2011-11-12
}}</ref>

<ref name="fourteen">{{cite web
|title= About Maxthon
|url= http://www.maxthon.com/about-us/
|accessdate= 2011-11-12
}}</ref>

<ref name="fifteen">{{cite web |url=http://www.mobinode.com/?p=122 |title=Maxthon Goes to Global Market - A New Way to Surf The World in 2007 |accessdate=1 January 2008 |last=Lu |first=Gang |coauthors= |date=31 December 2006 |work= |publisher=Mobinode}}</ref>

<ref name="sixteen">{{cite web |title= Maxthon for Mac |url= http://www.maxthon.com/mac/ |publisher= Maxthon International Limited }} beta</ref>

<ref name="seventeen">{{cite web
|title= MyIE Tabbed Browser
|url= http://www.myie2.com/
|publisher= Mysoft International Limited
|accessdate= 2011-11-12
}}</ref>

<ref name="eighteen">{{cite web
|title= Angle Subscriber Exclusive: WI Harper & Skype Co-Founder To Invest In Chinese Browser/Search Play
|url= http://pacificepoch.com/china-investment-research/articles/angle-subscriber-exclusive-wi-harper-skype-co-founder-to-invest-in-chinese-
|publisher= Pacific Epoch
|date= 2005-05-30
|accessdate= 2011-11-12
}}</ref>

<ref name="nineteen">{{cite web
|title= It's a Web, Web, Web 2.0 world
|first= Erick |last= Schonfeld |first2= Yi-Wyn |last2= Yen
|url= http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/biz2/0707/gallery.web_world.biz2/10.html
|work= CNNMoney.com
|publisher= Cable News Network
|accessdate= 2011-11-12
}}</ref>

<ref name="twenty">{{cite web |url=http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/10/google-takes-partial-ownership-of-maxthon-browser/ |title=Google Takes Partial Ownership Of Maxthon Browser |accessdate=1 January 2008 |last=Arrington |first=Michael |coauthors= |date=10 April 2007 |work= |publisher=TechCrunch}}</ref>

<ref name="twentyone">{{cite web |url=http://www.gambitmag.com/2014/02/maxthon-expands-russia-partner-yandex/ |title=Maxthon Expands Into Russia |accessdate=1 February 2014 |last=Luis |first=J. |coauthors= |date=25 February 2014 |work= |publisher=GAMbIT Magazine}}</ref>

<ref name="twentytwo">{{cite web |url=http://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2007-04-10/17481458287.shtml |title=Maxthon浏览器创始人否认谷歌入股传言 |accessdate=1 January 2008 |last= |first= |coauthors= |date=10 May 2007 |work= |publisher=[[Sina.com]]}}</ref>

<ref name="twentythree">BBC, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8537763.stm Microsoft offers browser choices to Europeans], 1 March 2010</ref>

<ref name="twentyfour">{{cite web
|title= The New Web Challengers
|first= Scott |last= Spanbauer |first2= Steve |last2= Bass
|url= http://www.pcworld.com/article/118794-3/the_new_web_challengers.html
|work= PCWorld
|date= 2005-01-03
|accessdate= 2011-11-12
}}</ref>

<ref name="twentyfive">{{cite web
|title= Maxthon (Classic) specifications
|url= http://download.cnet.com/Maxthon-Classic/3010-2356_4-10136776.html
|work= CNET.com
|publisher= CBS Interactive
|accessdate= 2011-11-12
}}</ref>

<ref name="twentysix">{{cite web|title=Maxthon Browser 1.x Series |url=http://dl.maxthon.com/mx1/ |publisher=Maxthon International Limited |accessdate=2011-11-12 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108045918/http://dl.maxthon.com/mx1/ |archivedate=November 8, 2011 }}</ref>

<ref name="twentyseven">{{cite web
|title= Download Free Maxthon, Maxthon 1.6.7.35
|url= http://www.brothersoft.com/maxthon-59753.html
|work= Brothersoft
|accessdate= 2011-11-12
}}</ref>

<ref name="twentynine">[http://addonsmx.maxthon.com/ Addons for Maxthon 1.x and 2.x]</ref>

<ref name="thirty">[http://forum.maxthon.com/ Maxthon Forum]</ref>

<ref name="thirtyone">[http://forum.maxthon.com/viewthread.php?tid=74784 More Options 1.6.x on Maxthon forum] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213191757/http://forum.maxthon.com/viewthread.php?tid=74784 |date=February 13, 2009 }}</ref>

<ref name="twentyeight">{{cite web
|title= Maxthon (Classic) 1.6.7.35 (Windows)
|url= http://downloads.zdnet.com/abstract.aspx?docid=1652821
|work= ZDNet
|publisher= CBS Interactive
|accessdate= 2011-11-12
}}</ref>

<ref name="thirtytwo">{{cite web
|url= http://www.maxthon.com/overview/
|title= Maxthon 2
|publisher= Maxthon International Limited
|accessdate= 2012-01-12
}}</ref>

<ref name="thirtythree">{{cite web
|url= http://www.maxthon.com/mx3/
|title= Maxthon 3
|publisher= Maxthon International Limited
|accessdate= 2012-01-12
}}</ref>

<ref name="thirtyseven">{{cite news
| title = Maxthon Web Browser Now Available for Mac Computers
| url = http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/maxthon-web-browser-now-available-for-mac-computers-164285366.html
| publisher = Maxthon
| date = July 30, 2012
| accessdate = 2013-08-27
}}</ref>

<ref name="thirtyeight">{{cite news
| title = Maxthon browser for Android now available -- and it's good
| first = Lee
| last = Matthews
| url = http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/16/maxthon-browser-for-android-now-available-and-its-good/
| newspaper = Switched
| publisher =
| date = 2010-12-16
| accessdate = 2013-08-27
}}</ref>

<ref name="mattson">{{cite news
| title = Cloud Browser with Muscle & Security, Startup Maxthon Caters to HTML5 Users
| first =
| last =
| url = http://rightstartups.com/cloud-browser-with-muscle-security-startup-maxthon-caters-to-html5-users-448/
| newspaper = RightStartups
| publisher =
| date = July 13, 2013
| accessdate = 2013-08-27
}}</ref>

<ref name="thirtyfour">{{cite web
|url= http://www.maxthon.com/windows/changelog/
|title= Maxthon 4
|publisher= Maxthon International Limited
|accessdate= 2012-01-25
}}</ref>

<ref name="thirtyfive">{{cite web
|url= http://technode.com/2010/12/14/maxthon-released-its-mobile-version-for-android/
|title= Maxthon Released Its Mobile Version for Android
|first= Gang |last= Lu
|date= 2010-12-14
|work= TechNode.com
|accessdate= 2012-01-12
}}</ref>

<ref name="maxthonabout">{{cite news
| title = About
| url = http://www.maxthon.com/about-us/
| publisher = Maxthon
| accessdate = 2013-08-27
}}</ref>

<ref name="changelogandroid">{{cite news
| title = Changelog: Android
| url = http://www.maxthon.com/android/changelog/
| publisher = Maxthon
| accessdate = 2013-08-27
}}</ref>

<ref name="changelogmac">{{cite news
| title = Changelog: Mac
| url = http://www.maxthon.com/mac/changelog/
| publisher = Maxthon
| accessdate = 2013-08-27
}}</ref>

<ref name="changelogios">{{cite news
| title = Changelog: IOS
| url = http://www.maxthon.com/ios/changelog/
| publisher = Maxthon
| accessdate = 2013-08-27
}}</ref>

<ref name="changelogwindows">{{cite news
| title = Changelog: Windows
| url = http://www.maxthon.com/windows/changelog/
| publisher = Maxthon
| accessdate = 2013-08-27
}}</ref>
}}

{{Aggregators}}
{{Timeline of web browsers |2000s}}
{{Web browsers|desktop}}

[[Category:2005 software]]
[[Category:Android (operating system) software]]
[[Category:Chinese brands]]
[[Category:Cross-platform web browsers]]
[[Category:Freeware]]
[[Category:Internet Explorer shells]]
[[Category:Web browsers for Linux]]
[[Category:News aggregators]]
[[Category:MacOS web browsers]]
[[Category:Software companies of China]]
[[Category:Windows web browsers]]

Revision as of 06:46, 30 January 2017

Maxthon
Developer(s)Maxthon International Ltd (北京傲游天下科技有限公司)
Initial release2005; 20 years ago (2005)
Stable release(s) [±]
Windows6.1.2.3000 / September 24, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-09-24)[1]
Android6.0.2.3500 / December 9, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-12-09)[1]
Mac5.1.60 / August 27, 2018; 6 years ago (2018-08-27)[2]
iOS6.0.6 / December 14, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-12-14)[3]
Windows Phone2.2.0 / March 30, 2017; 7 years ago (2017-03-30)[4]
Linux1.0.5.3 / September 9, 2014; 10 years ago (2014-09-09)[5]
Preview release(s) [±]
6.2.0.2100 (beta) (October 19, 2022; 2 years ago (2022-10-19)[6]) [±]
EnginesTrident and WebKit
Operating systemWindows, Android, macOS, IOS, Windows Phone, Linux
Size~39 MB
Available in53 languages[7]
TypeWeb browser
LicenseFreeware
Websitewww.maxthon.com

Maxthon (Chinese: 傲游浏览器, originally known as MyIE2) is a freeware web browser for Windows, macOS and Linux, developed by Chinese company Maxthon Ltd based in Beijing. It is also available on Windows Phone 8,[8] iOS[9] and Android[10] platforms as Maxthon Mobile. Since the release of version 3, Maxthon supports both the Trident and the WebKit rendering engines.[11]

Maxthon won CNET WebWare 100 Awards in 2008[12] and 2009,[13] and was #97 in PCWorld's list of the 100 Best Products of 2011.[14] In July 2016, concerns were raised regarding the browser's security weakness, when it was found out by cybersecurity experts that it sends "ad blocker status, homepage URL, websites visited by the user (including online searches), and installed applications to a server in Beijing, China" via HTTP, leaving the user information "valuable for a malicious actor looking to conduct a targeted attack."[15]

Overview

Maxthon is a Chinese company known mainly for producing Windows web browsers.[16] It is headquartered in Beijing, with offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong and San Francisco, US. Most of Maxthon's engineers are based in the corporate headquarters in Beijing, which develop and maintain versions of the Maxthon web browser for Windows, macOS, iOS, Windows Phone and Android.[17]

Maxthon has also created other products that include a Chinese language news and information portal i.maxthon.cn, a Chinese language casual gaming portal and humor website, a ‘Kid Safe’ web browser for Android and iOS, a free online account system called Maxthon Passport, and an English language news and information web portal i.maxthon.com.[18]

Corporate history

In 1999, current CEO Ming Jie "Jeff" Chen (Chinese: 陈明杰; pinyin: Chén Míngjié) founded Hong Kong-based Mysoft International Limited to distribute the MyIE browser.[19] In 2005 the company received seed funding from venture capital firm WI Harper Group and Morten Lund, the first Skype investor, and Chen moved the company to Beijing.[20][21] In 2006, Maxthon received further investment from the US-based venture capital firm Charles River Ventures.[22]

On April 10, 2007, TechCrunch reported that Google had invested at least US$1 million in Maxthon;[23] this was denied the following day by Chen.[24] However, in an interview with the Chinese portal Sina.com, Chen did not rule out future "co-operation" between the two businesses.[25]

Maxthon won CNET WebWare 100 Awards in 2008[12] and 2009,[13] and was #97 in PCWorld's list of the 100 Best Products of 2011.[14]

Maxthon was one of the twelve browsers Microsoft presented in 2010 at BrowserChoice.eu, a website that allows users of Windows residing in the European Economic Area to choose which default web browser they would like to use on their computer.[26] In late 2010 Maxthon began releasing new compatibilities, including browsers for Android[10] Mac,[27] iPhone[28] and iPad.[29] As of August 2012, Maxthon is still in the first tier of browsers in BrowserChoice.eu after the removal of Apple Safari.[30] The Maxthon Cloud Browser was released on December 10, 2012.[31]

Software

Development philosophy

According to Maxthon VP and Assistant CEO Karl Mattson, Maxthon develops its web browsers with three goals:

  1. High performance and standards support.
  2. An 'out of the box' experience with more integrated features than other browsers.
  3. 'Seamless browsing.' Sometimes referred to as 'portability' by the company, this is a commitment to offering users the ability to 'pick up where they left off' by having parts of their web browsing synced to an encrypted, free cloud account and then pushed to other platforms.[17]

Development history

According to Maxthon International CEO Ming Jie "Jeff" Chen, Maxthon was based on MyIE, a popular modification created by Chinese programmer Changyou to customize Internet Explorer web browser.[32][33] Changyou posted most of the source code[34] for MyIE on his Bulletin board system before leaving the project in 2000. Chen then continued independently developing MyIE and in 2002 released a new version, MyIE2.[35] Users around the world were quite active in contributing to MyIE2's development, adding many plugins, skins and assisting with debugging. MyIE2 was renamed Maxthon in 2003.[22][32]

Maxthon 2 was introduced in July 2007,[36] and Maxthon 3 was released in October 2010. Later that year Maxthon began introducing browsers for portable devices; in December Maxthon for Android[10] was released.[37] On July 7, 2012, Maxthon for Mac[27] was released,[38] with Maxthon for iPhone[28] and iPad released in August 2012.[29] On December 10, 2012, Maxthon Cloud Browser, also dubbed Maxthon 4, hit the market.[31]

Features

The following are accumulated features of the Maxthon browser, culminating in Maxthon 4.

  • Split screen option: divides open tabs into left and right of screen when this option is chosen; Sides operate independently. This feature is unavailable since version 4.9.[citation needed]
  • Tabbed document interface
  • Saves open tabs in case of program shutdown or system crash
  • Undo for any tabs accidentally closed
  • AD Hunter - an ad blocking utility that blocks pop-up ads, Web banner and floating ads in webpages
  • Adobe Flash, Java applet and ActiveX blocker
  • Support for custom skins
  • Customizable tabs and user interface
  • Programmable mouse gestures and mouse chording
  • External utility bar – a toolbar that allows you to open third-party programs
  • RSS reader
  • Supports many Internet Explorer plugins as well as plugins of its own
  • Partial Gecko engine support with the use of a third-party program
  • A user extensible search toolbar with 8 default search engines
  • Automatic updates
  • Groups – the ability to bookmark & open multiple pages simultaneously
  • URL aliases – open URLs by just typing a word in the address bar
  • Simple collector – a small notepad-like utility, used to collect text from web pages. Scripts and macros can be run in the current web page
  • Integrated web services – user extensible, including by default translators, Google's cached version of pages, Whois, and anonymous web proxies

Data privacy issues

In 2016 computer security researchers from Fidelis Cybersecurity and Exatel discovered the browser surreptitiously sending sensitive browsing and system data—such as ad blocker status, websites visited, searches conducted and applications installed with their version numbers—to remote servers located in Beijing, China. According to Maxthon, the data is sent as part of the company's 'User Experience Improvement Program' and that it is "voluntary and totally anonymous." However, researchers found the data still being collected and transmitted to remote servers even after users explicitly opted-out of the program. The researchers further found the data being transmitted over an unencrypted connection (HTTP), leaving users vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks. Fidelis' Chief Security Officer, Justin Harvey, noted the data "...contains almost everything you would want in conducting a reconnaissance operation to know exactly where to attack. Knowing the exact operating system and installed applications, and browsing habits it would be trivial to send a perfectly crafted spearphish to the victim or perhaps set up a watering hole attack on one of their most frequented websites."[39]

Browser versions

Version 1.x

Maxthon version 1, which continued version 0 of MyIE2, was an Internet Explorer shell that implemented a tabbed browser using the Trident layout engine which Microsoft introduced with Internet Explorer 4.[40] As such, version 1 was compatible with every version of Windows from Windows 95 to Windows 7.[41] Development of version 1 stopped in 2010 with the so-called Maxthon (Classic), version 1.6.7.35;[41] earlier releases are available from Maxthon,[42] and version 1.6.7.35, which fixed a bug in selecting the default search engine, is still available at other download sites.[43][44]

There are a number of add-ons available for Maxthon Classic,[45] and more are available through discussion forums.[46] Specific threads may provide direct download links as well.[47] Some add-ons are build-specific, but in that case, a clear indication of compatibility can often be found.

Maxthon 1.3.1 have brought cloud-based service for online syncing bookmarks (favorites) in 2005.

Version 2.x

Maxthon Browser 2 is a multi-tab browser released in July 2007.[36] A later modification in 2008 was the first browser on the market to offer cloud-based services for syncing bookmarks and history.[16] Version 2.x also blocks malicious plug-ins to prevent pop-ups and floating ads, and supports a variety of plug-in tools and IE extensions. It also supports a wide variety of skins and is customizable. New features included:[18]

  • Maxthon Passport: once the user signs in and registers for free Passport Membership, avatar remains in that space for future visits[48]
  • Multi Tab Manager: right-clicking on the 'Tab menu' brings up a function intended to make browsing and other operations more efficient.
  • Mouse Gestures: right clicking and performing gestures with the mouse allows users to trigger customizable actions.
  • Maxthon Smart Accelerator: the built-in is intended to increase browsing speed (see icon at Maxthon status bar)
  • Autofill capability: automatically saves content entered into web forms and fills them automatically in the future.
  • Undo list: after closing a webpage accidentally, the Undo button and Undo can restore it. All closed pages and browsing history are recorded in Undo list.
  • Online Favorites: registering as a Maxthon Passport member allows instant access to cloud syncing services like online favorites.
  • Feed reader: native Web syndication client.
  • Super Drag and Drop: users can drag and drop selected text for a web search in their default search engine, or drag and drop a selected link or image to open in a new tab.
  • URL alias: through 'tab right click menu,' users can assign a 'special/sticky name' to a webpage, which can be entered in the address bar to open the corresponding webpage. Naming is possible through the 'right click tab menu.'
  • Super agent: supports the adoption of HTTP, HTTPS, Socks4, Socks4a, Socks5, and other internet connection proxies, and also supports proxy that require authentication. By setting the Advanced Proxy Rule, the Maxthon Web browser can automatically switch to different proxy servers.
  • External Tools: users can add commonly used (i.e. possibly IE compatible only)[clarification needed] tools and software shortcuts to their Maxthon browser. The software can be set to start up and shut down with the Maxthon browser.
  • Web Toolbar: provides users with a set of commonly used small features. Among them The Maxthon website brings together a number of entertainment and social networking sites.
  • AD blocking: through the menu "Webpage Content Block," Ad Hunter can block pop-ups, ads and malicious web harassment. Supports customizable filters.
  • URL Key: through settings center, set an URL Key and press a function key to open one or more URLs.
  • Web Sniffer: Web sniffer can capture FLV media files from video sites, allowing for download and saving. Users can also customize the type of files to sniff for.
  • Screen Capture: users can arbitrarily snap a whole page, a region, a specified window and page content to the clipboard. Users can also configure the saving path and file format of the screenshot through setting options.
  • Maxthon Download: without having to call other download programs, using the browser’s built-in Maxthon download can complete numbers of small download tasks. The Maxthon download manager has several features.
  • Plug-ins (Extensions): plug-ins can be used or programmed and shared with other users
  • Skins: different skins available.

Version 3.x

Maxthon 3 was released in the fall of 2010, after a beta period of 8 months.[49] It has both Trident and Webkit layout engines. New features included:[50]

  • Dual Display Engines: Maxthon uses the Ultra Mode, powered by the Webkit rendering engine, by default. It will switch automatically to Retro Mode, powered by the Trident-rendering engine, as needed to display older-style Web pages.
  • Mouse Gesture: Maxthon's Mouse Gesture feature lets you navigate through the web by moving the mouse in patterns that tell the browser to go back, forward, refresh, and even hide.
  • Super Drag & Drop: allows Drag and Drop to open new pages and images or perform a web search.
  • Smart Address Bar: allows searching by typing keywords directly into address bar
  • Magic Fill: Maxthon securely saves names and passwords of visited websites, then fills in that information upon return.
  • AD Hunter: removes advertisements with one click and automatically blocks pop-up windows.
  • Maxthon Passport: once the user sign-ins and registers for free Passport Membership, avatar remains in that space for future visits.[48]
  • Online Favorites: registering as a Maxthon Passport member allows instant access to cloud syncing services like online favorites.
  • Multi Search: after selecting Maxthon Multi Search, user can input keywords in the address or search bar. Maxthon Multi Search shows what multiple search engines return for the query.

Maxthon Cloud Browser

Also known as Maxthon Cloud, Maxthon 4 was released on December 10, 2012.[31] At the same time it released Passport and its cloud features.[51] Maxthon Passport allowed users to sign-in and register for free Passport Membership, and their avatar remains in that space for future visits. Registering also gives users access to cloud syncing services like online favorites.[48] New features include:[52]

  • Cloud Push: supports sending text, images, websites/links and tabs to Mac, Android and Windows operating systems.
  • Cloud Share: supports sharing text, images, websites/links and files online.
  • Cloud Download: supports downloading files in various formats and uploading them to My Cloud for backup on any device.
  • My Cloud Tabs: lets users remember previous sessions, by automatically syncing tabs to iOS, Windows or Android devices.
  • Cloud Sync: Syncs account data (Favorites, Settings and Magic Fill data) to other devices.
  • Reader Mode: adjusts font sizes and removes ads on articles for visibility, with a "night mode" option for low light.
  • Magic Fill: Maxthon securely saves names and passwords of visited websites, then fills in that information upon return.
  • Ad Hunter: removes advertisements with one click, and automatically blocks pop-up windows.
  • New Session: users and gamers can simultaneously log into the same website with different accounts.
  • Source Sniffer: extract all photos, embedded videos and audio files from a web page and download them.
  • SkyNote: save and access text notes anywhere, and sync them across Windows and Android.
  • "Do Not Track": privacy from ad networks and beacons.
  • Google Safe Browsing: identifies websites and warns if they are not safe and not secure before visiting.
  • Privacy mode: disables browsing history.

For Mac

In July 2012, Maxthon Cloud Browser for macOS[53] was released.[8] It allows Mac users with a Maxthon Passport account to keep all user data in sync across different devices and operating systems.[8][27] New features include:

  • Cloud Push: supports sending text, images, websites/links and tabs to Mac, Android and Windows operating systems.
  • Cloud Share: supports sharing text, images, websites/links and files with other people.
  • Cloud Download: supports downloading files in various formats and uploading them to 'My Cloud' for backup on any device.
  • My Cloud Tabs: lets users remember previous sessions, by automatically syncing tabs to iOS, Windows or Android devices.
  • Cloud Sync: allows for syncing of bookmarks, favorites, and other content across Windows, Mac and Android devices.
  • Super Drag and Drop: allows user to highlight a URL or webpage text, then drag and drop into the Address Bar to open a new page or execute a web search.
  • Mouse Gesture: allows for simple shape creation with the mouse, and trigger commands like Refresh, Close Tab, Page Top/Down and Previous/Next Tab.
  • Extension Center: company supported feature for finding browser extensions, compatible with Google Chrome extensions.[18]
  • "Do Not Track": privacy from ad networks and beacons.
  • Adobe Flash support pre-installed in software.
  • All user data encrypted for security.

It is downloadable free of charge from the Mac App Store.

Maxthon Mobile

For Android

Maxthon Mobile for Android, a version for Android phones, was first released in 2010,[54] followed in 2011 by a version optimized for 10 inch tablets.[35] New features in 2012 included:

  • Cloud Push: supports sending text, images, websites/links and tabs to Mac, Android and Windows operating systems.
  • Cloud Share: supports sharing text, images, websites/links and files online
  • Cloud Download: supports downloading files in various formats and uploading them to 'My Cloud' for backup on any device.
  • Cloud Tabs: lets users remember previous sessions, by automatically syncing tabs to iOS, Windows or Android devices.
  • Sync Bookmarks/Favorites: sync Favorites across Windows, Mac and iOS devices.
  • Full screen browsing
  • App Center: function to find and group web apps and content.
  • Super Gesture:: allows for the use of gestures to create, close, switch and restore tabs.
  • Read-Ahead: preloads pages automatically.
  • Reader Mode: adjusts font sizes and removes ads on articles for visibility, with a "night mode" option for low light

For iOS

Maxthon Mobile for iOS was launched in July 2012, for iPhone,[28] iPad, and iOS universal. Maxthon Cloud Browser for iOS saves and syncs key settings, content and features for users across multiple platforms and other devices. Mouse gestures can control the opening and switching between tabs.[29][55] New features include:

  • Cloud Push: supports sending text, images, websites/links and tabs to Mac, Android and Windows operating systems.
  • Cloud Share: supports sharing text, images, websites/links and files online
  • Cloud Download: supports downloading files in various formats and uploading them to 'My Cloud' for backup on any device.
  • Cloud Tabs: lets users remember previous sessions, by automatically syncing tabs to iOS, Windows or Android devices.
  • Sync Bookmarks/Favorites: works across Windows, Mac and iOS devices.
  • Reader Mode: adjusts font sizes and removes ads on articles for visibility, with a "night mode" option for low light
  • Brightness Control: adjust screen brightness within the browser.
  • Portrait Orientation Lock: supports switching the screen orientation in Maxthon Browser.
  • Privacy Protection: allows browsing without tracking
  • New User Interface: full-screen browsing mode.

For Windows Phone

Release history (version 4+)

Windows

The browser for Windows, version 4.0.6.1200 (2013-5-6), introduced Maxthon Skin and various bug fixes. 4.1.0.4000 (2013-7-11), fixed a number of bugs related to closing tabs and launching the browser. It also updated Flash to the latest official version and improved Webkit stability. The Beta release 4.1.2.1200 (2013-8-1) introduced touch zooming and panning in win8, HTML5 online/offline operation, and CSS Filter GPU Acceleration.[56]

Mac

Mac version 4.0.6.2000 (2013-7-25) contained improvements such as better support for PDF and Flash, while 4.0.6.3000 (2013-8-2) improved stability on Mac OS X 10.7.0 and 10.7.2.[57]

Android

Android browser version 4.0.4.1000 (2013-03-28) included new features, such as an automatic UI adjustment for tablets with screens larger than 7 inch, support links invoking native app (i.e., thunder://, ek2://, etc.), and a number of bug fixes. 4.0.5.2000, released less than a week later on April 3, added in features such as Cloud Push in Download Manager and via Lan transfer, with improvements such as adding a favorites button to the tool bar. 4.0.6.2000 (2013-6-09), included new features such as text auto-wrap in Android 4.0 and above, phone contacts supported in Cloud Push, and Search keywords stay in address bar after performing a search. Improvements included the removal of WWW/WAP mode switch.[58]

iOS

Version 4.2 (2013-7-22) for iOS added new languages, URL autofill, related search keywords, browser history matching, and what is dubbed "Lightning-fast Cloud Push" via LAN. Version 4.2.1, released a week later on July 29, included bug fixes for iPhone4.[59]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Maxthon Release Note 6". Maxthon International. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  2. ^ "‎Maxthon Browser". Mac App Store. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  3. ^ "‎Maxthon Cloud Web Browser". App Store. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Maxthon Browser". Windows Store. 15 September 2014.
  5. ^ "Maxthon for Linux Changelog". Maxthon International. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  6. ^ "Maxthon Release Note 6". Maxthon International. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  7. ^ Translate Maxthon
  8. ^ a b c Eswarlu, Venkat (December 10, 2012). "Maxthon Cloud Browser Released". Techdows. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  9. ^ "Maxthon for iOS". Maxthon. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  10. ^ a b c "Maxthon for Android". Maxthon. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  11. ^ "Maxthon 3". Maxthon. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  12. ^ a b Shankland, Stephen (21 April 2008). "Webware 100 winner: Maxthon". CNET. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
  13. ^ a b "Webware 100 winner: Maxthon". CNET. CBS Interactive. 19 May 2009. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
  14. ^ a b "100 Best Products of 2011". PCWorld Communications, Inc. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  15. ^ http://www.securityweek.com/maxthon-browser-sends-sensitive-data-china
  16. ^ a b "About". Maxthon. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  17. ^ a b "Cloud Browser with Muscle & Security, Startup Maxthon Caters to HTML5 Users". RightStartups. July 13, 2013. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  18. ^ a b c "Maxthon 2". Maxthon International Limited. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
  19. ^ "MyIE Tabbed Browser". Mysoft International Limited. Retrieved 2011-11-12.
  20. ^ "Angle Subscriber Exclusive: WI Harper & Skype Co-Founder To Invest In Chinese Browser/Search Play". Pacific Epoch. 2005-05-30. Retrieved 2011-11-12.
  21. ^ Schonfeld, Erick; Yen, Yi-Wyn. "It's a Web, Web, Web 2.0 world". CNNMoney.com. Cable News Network. Retrieved 2011-11-12.
  22. ^ a b Lu, Gang (31 December 2006). "Maxthon Goes to Global Market - A New Way to Surf The World in 2007". Mobinode. Retrieved 1 January 2008. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  23. ^ Arrington, Michael (10 April 2007). "Google Takes Partial Ownership Of Maxthon Browser". TechCrunch. Retrieved 1 January 2008. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  24. ^ Luis, J. (25 February 2014). "Maxthon Expands Into Russia". GAMbIT Magazine. Retrieved 1 February 2014. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  25. ^ "Maxthon浏览器创始人否认谷歌入股传言". Sina.com. 10 May 2007. Retrieved 1 January 2008. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  26. ^ BBC, Microsoft offers browser choices to Europeans, 1 March 2010
  27. ^ a b c "Maxthon for Mac". Maxthon International Limited. beta
  28. ^ a b c "Maxthon Web Browser Now Available for iPhone -- Offers Cross-Platform Syncing and Exclusive Features". Maxthon. 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  29. ^ a b c Knight, Shawn (2012-08-21). "Maxthon mobile browser now available for ios devices". TechSpot. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  30. ^ "Select your web browser(s)". BrowserChoice.eu. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  31. ^ a b c Williams, Mike (2012-12-10). "Maxthon Browser 4 released and renamed: "Maxthon Cloud Browser"". Software Crew. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  32. ^ a b Lipskas, Vygantas (2011-10-24). "Interview With Jeff Chen, The CEO Of Maxthon Ltd". FavBrowser.com. Retrieved 2011-11-12.
  33. ^ "General FAQs - Maxthon Wiki". Maxthon International Limited. Retrieved 2011-11-12.
  34. ^ "MyIE Original Visual C++ Source Code Download..." Retrieved 2011-11-12.
  35. ^ a b "About Maxthon". Retrieved 2011-11-12.
  36. ^ a b Linder, Brad (July 23, 2007). "Maxthon 2 web browser released". Switched. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  37. ^ Matthews, Lee (2010-12-16). "Maxthon browser for Android now available -- and it's good". Switched. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  38. ^ "Maxthon Web Browser Now Available for Mac Computers". Maxthon. July 30, 2012. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  39. ^
  40. ^ Spanbauer, Scott; Bass, Steve (2005-01-03). "The New Web Challengers". PCWorld. Retrieved 2011-11-12.
  41. ^ a b "Maxthon (Classic) specifications". CNET.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2011-11-12.
  42. ^ "Maxthon Browser 1.x Series". Maxthon International Limited. Archived from the original on November 8, 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-12. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  43. ^ "Download Free Maxthon, Maxthon 1.6.7.35". Brothersoft. Retrieved 2011-11-12.
  44. ^ "Maxthon (Classic) 1.6.7.35 (Windows)". ZDNet. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2011-11-12.
  45. ^ Addons for Maxthon 1.x and 2.x
  46. ^ Maxthon Forum
  47. ^ More Options 1.6.x on Maxthon forum Archived February 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  48. ^ a b c "Maxthon Passport". Maxthon International Limited. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  49. ^ THEORACLE (2010-09-06). "Maxthon 3.0 Released". Locker Gnome. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  50. ^ "Maxthon 3". Maxthon International Limited. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
  51. ^ "Maxthon Launches New 'Cloud Browser'". INfiniGeek. December 2010. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  52. ^ "Maxthon 4". Maxthon International Limited. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
  53. ^ Maxthon for Mac Changelog
  54. ^ Lu, Gang (2010-12-14). "Maxthon Released Its Mobile Version for Android". TechNode.com. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
  55. ^ Maxthon Cloud Browser on iTunes
  56. ^ "Changelog: Windows". Maxthon. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  57. ^ "Changelog: Mac". Maxthon. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  58. ^ "Changelog: Android". Maxthon. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  59. ^ "Changelog: IOS". Maxthon. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Maxthon&oldid=762699005"