Last Remaining Paid-For Browser Still Motoring Along

3:37 pm, July 7th, 2009, Giles Turnbull

In the unlikely event that you’ve been yearning for more browsers on your Mac, and in the even less likely event that you wish you could splash out money for one; well, sunshine, your prayers have been answered.

For iCab, the last Mac browser that still costs money, is still being updated and has just reached version 4.6.1. And it can be all yours for 20 bucks. (I’m wracking my brains, and I can’t think of any other browsers that cost money these days – not since OmniWeb went free. Shout if you know of another.)

You over there with the glazed eyes: snap out of it for a moment. This is app with some history, you see. iCab’s been around for, as we say in these parts, donkeys years. Since before Safari was a glint in Steve Jobs eye. Since before anyone had even thought of Firefox. The first release was in 1999. Versions of it still run on System 7, if that’s your bag.

So, um, should you buy it? Well if you need a browser for your ancient beige box – or collection of same filling your attic – then you won’t have a lot of choice. But even the OS X version isn’t a bad browser. It has some nice features. I particularly like the Page Overview and Links Overview, which let you find your way through busy web pages quickly and easily.

Let’s put it this way: if everyone still charged money for their browsers, iCab would still be able to compete for your money alongside the rest of the gang, its head held high.

But when superb browsers can be had almost everywhere you look, when Safari 4 comes with your Mac, and when you can roll your own decent browser in about 10 seconds flat if you feel the urge, iCab’s fee is the only thing that people ever notice about it. Pity, really.

(Oh, and: Hi everyone! It’s me again. Back at the Cult. Watch this space for more posts about stuff-I-find-interesting and inane candy-based competitions. Perhaps.)

UPDATE

Splutter! Gasp! There’s more!

I had no idea that there was an iCab for iPhone (where of course, paying for browsers is still completely fine by everyone). But there is. And by all accounts, it’s rather good. Blimey.

Posted by Giles Turnbull in News, Reviews, Software | Comment on this article

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About the author

Giles Turnbull is a freelance writer in England. He is a columnist for PA, and has written for the BBC, Guardian, Daily Telegraph, MacUser, Macworld, and The Morning News. He has a blog you can ignore and a Twitter account you needn't follow.

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