While the alternative web browser Dolphin has been available for the the iOS platform for almost two weeks, an iPad-native version has just been released for free on the iTunes App Store. Dolphin Browser HD includes a number of standout features, such as tabs, sidebars, Webzine mode and gestures. On top of the nine default gestures (such as drawing a “V”-like shape to jump to the bottom and “carat” type shape to jump to the top), users can add more and can assign URLs to gestures as well.
Dolphin, formerly Android-only, also features a “desktop mode” that tells the website to display the “desktop” version of the site rather than a sometimes-truncated “mobile” version (not as important for iOS users) and “speed dial” which lets users pick up to 10 favorite sites for one-touch connection. It uses swipes to show sidebars such as bookmarks and add-ons (for customizing the look and sounds of the browser) and also features tabbed browsing and URL auto-completion.
The browser also comes with a “Webzine mode” that can turn any website with an RSS feed into a Flipboard-like “tablet magazine” experience, and includes a number of links to popular websites like Facebook and Wired. Users can also add other sites to the Webzine list.
The HD version of Dolphin Browser is exclusively for iPad, requires iOS 3.2 or later and is age-restricted to those users who are 17 and older. The iPhone and iPod Touch version requires iOS 4.0 or later and has a similar age restriction.
