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Maxthon

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Maxthon
Developer(s)Maxthon International Limited
Stable release
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 release6.2.0.2100 (beta) (October 19, 2022; 2 years ago (2022-10-19)[6]) [±]
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
Size25 MB
TypeWeb browser
LicenseFreeware
Websitewww.maxthon.com

Maxthon (formerly known as MyIE2) is a free web browser for Microsoft Windows. The latest release, Maxthon 3, supports both the Trident and the WebKit rendering engines.[7]

Maxthon has developed a growing user base since its initial release in 2003, especially in China, so that in 2006, Maxthon 2.0 gained support of several sponsors.[8] In January 2006, Maxthon developers partnered with Microsoft in its booth at the Consumer Electronics Show.[9]

Maxthon won a WebWare 100 Award in 2008[10] and 2009.[11]

History

According to Maxthon International CEO Ming Jie "Jeff" Chen, Maxthon was based on MyIE, which was originally created by Changyou, a Chinese programmer who wanted to customize the Internet Explorer web browser.[12][13] Changyou posted most of the source code[14] for MyIE on his Bulletin board system before leaving the project in 2000. Chen continued developing MyIE and in 2002 released a new version, MyIE2.[15] MyIE2 grew quickly, with users around the world contributing plugins and skins, and assisting with debugging. It was renamed Maxthon in 2003.[12][16]

Chen founded Mysoft International Limited in Hong Kong in 1999 to distribute the MyIE browser.[17] 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.[18][19] In 2006 Maxthon received further investment from the US-based venture capital firm Charles River Ventures.[16]

On April 10, 2007, TechCrunch reported that Google had invested at least US$1 million in Maxthon;[20] this was denied the following day by Chen.[21] However, in an interview with the Chinese portal Sina.com, Chen did not rule out future "co-operation" between the two businesses.[22]

Maxthon was one of the twelve browsers Microsoft presented in 2010 at BrowserChoice.eu, a website that allows users of Microsoft Windows residing in the European Economic Area to choose which default web browser they would like to use on their computer.[23]

Features

  • 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-ups, Web banner and floating ads in webpages
  • Adobe Flash, Java applet and ActiveX blocker
  • Skinnable
  • Customizable tabs and interface
  • Programmable mouse gestures and mouse chording
  • External utility bar - 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 search toolbar with 8 different search engines (user extensible)
  • Automatic updating service
  • 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 any text from web pages. You can write scripts in it and run them in the current web page
  • Integrated web services - user extensible, but by default includes translators, Google's cached version of pages, Whois and anonymous web proxies
  • Enhanced security - Even if a security hole has not yet been corrected in the underlying web rendering engine, Maxthon browser prevent most of the well-known exploits to run.

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.[24] As such, version 1 was compatible with every version of Windows from Windows 95 to Windows 7.[25] Development of version 1 stopped in 2010 with so-called Maxthon (Classic), version 1.6.7.35;[25] earlier releases are available from Maxthon,[26], and version 1.6.7.35, which fixed a bug in selecting the default search engine, is still available at other download sites.[27][28]

"Classic Version Features: Use less system resources, more stable, better compatibility, Mouse Gesture, Super Drag&Drop, Ad Hunter, Undo List, Simple Skin Support, Plugins Support..."[citation needed]

The latest release of the Classic Version is 1.6.7.35. It functions properly with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, 7 and 8 on Microsoft Windows XP Home, XP Professional, all releases of Windows Vista and Windows 7.

There are a number of add-ons available for Maxthon Classic on their dedicated add-on site[29] and even more are available on their discussion forums.[30] Specific threads may provide direct download links as well.[31] Some add-ons are build specific, but when that is the case, a clear indication of compatibility can often be found. Downloads of earlier releases are available for testing and/or general use should issues with the latest releases arise.

Version 2.x

The latest release version of Maxthon 2.5.16.1000 is currently available for download on the official website.

New features include:[32]

  • New layout
  • New customization options
  • New default icons
  • Maxthon Security Updates
  • Multi-user support
  • Content blocker
  • Improved Performance & Stability
  • Maxthon Smart Accelerator
  • Magic Fill
  • Link validator
  • Improved favicon support
  • Improved favorite search
  • Favorite + Feed manager
  • Automatic online favorite & feed synchronization
  • Page find tool
  • Plugin installer
  • Improved proxy support
  • Tab manager
  • Frameless mode
  • New Configuration Interface
  • Anti-Freeze

Version 3.x

Maxthon 3 has both Trident engine and a Webkit engine, otherwise called "Dual Display Engines". It currently features:

  • Ad Hunter
  • Online Favorites
  • Trident and Webkit engines
  • Muting a page
  • Magic Fill
  • URL Safety
  • Video Popup/Save buttons
  • Multi Search
  • Mouse Gesture
  • Super Drag & Drop
  • Smart Address Bar
  • Private Browsing
  • New Work Space Window
  • Split Screen
  • Snap feature(Screen capture with tools)
  • Rss Feed Reader(Beta)
  • Online Notepad
  • Translation Tool
  • Sync System(Now options & Quick Access only)
  • Customize UI
  • URL Short Key & URL Alias
  • Enhanced Resource Sniffer
  • New App Frame
  • Group Feature(add all tabs to favorites/groups)
  • Sync Center
  • Sidebar
  • Subscribing AdHunter Rules and Global Rules
  • Spell Checker
  • Auto Refresh
  • Calendar View For History
  • Allowed to share AdHunter rules with other Maxthon users
  • Reader mode

As of 30 June 2011, it is at version Maxthon browser (3.1.3.600.beta)

Maxthon Mobile for Android 1.x

Maxthon recently announced a new version of Maxthon for Android users,[33] which has features like:

  • RSS Feed Reader (Widget)
  • A downloader with the ability to resume
  • Quick-Access
  • Super Gestures

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. ^ "Maxthon 3.0 Browser". Maxthon International Limited. Retrieved 8 February 2011. The only browser designed for the whole web. Dual display engines (powered by Trident and Webkit) and [~snip~] {{cite web}}: line feed character in |quote= at position 51 (help)
  8. ^ Olsen, Stefaie (22 June 2006). "Maxthon: China's hip browser". CNet News. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 1 January 2008.
  9. ^ "Maxthon Browser Exhibits with Microsoft at CES in Las Vegas". Newswire Today PR. Limelon. 4 January 2006. Retrieved 8 February 2006.
  10. ^ Shankland, Stephen (21 April 2008). "Webware 100 winner: Maxthon". CNET. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
  11. ^ "Webware 100 winner: Maxthon". CNET. CBS Interactive. 19 May 2009. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
  12. ^ a b Lipskas, Vygantas (24 October 2011). "Interview With Jeff Chen, The CEO Of Maxthon Ltd". FavBrowser.com. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  13. ^ "General FAQs - Maxthon Wiki". Maxthon International Limited. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  14. ^ "MyIE Original Visual C++ Source Code Download..." Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  15. ^ "About Maxthon". Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  16. ^ 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)
  17. ^ "MyIE Tabbed Browser". Mysoft International Limited. Retrieved 12 November 2011. Copyright © 1999-2011 Mysoft International Limited
  18. ^ "Angle Subscriber Exclusive: WI Harper & Skype Co-Founder To Invest In Chinese Browser/Search Play". Pacific Epoch. 30 May 2005. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  19. ^ Schonfeld, Erick; Yen, Yi-Wyn. "It's a Web, Web, Web 2.0 world". CNNMoney.com. Cable News Network. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  20. ^ 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)
  21. ^ "Maxthon founder:Google don't own our share". 11 April 2007. Retrieved 1 January 2008. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  22. ^ "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)
  23. ^ BBC, Microsoft offers browser choices to Europeans, 1 March 2010
  24. ^ Spanbauer, Scott; Bass, Steve (3 January 2005). "The New Web Challengers". PCWorld. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  25. ^ a b "Maxthon (Classic) specifications". CNET.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  26. ^ "Maxthon Browser 1.x Series". Maxthon International Limited. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  27. ^ "Download Free Maxthon, Maxthon 1.6.7.35". Brothersoft. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  28. ^ "Maxthon (Classic) 1.6.7.35 (Windows)". ZDNet. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  29. ^ Addons for Maxthon 1.x and 2.x
  30. ^ Maxthon Forum
  31. ^ More Options 1.6.x on Maxthon forum
  32. ^ Maxthon Browser changelog
  33. ^ http://maxthon.com/maxthon-mobile
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