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Link Bubble - A new browser for Android

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Re: Link Bubble - A new browser for Android

#61

Post by chris_lacy »

oscargrouch wrote: post #52
EddieRingle wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For what it's worth, he explains his reasoning here: https://plus.google.com/104649936579980037256/posts/GAWL1HpQ...

"A few casual emails later and my new patent lawyer warned me that I might be unable to apply for a patent in certain important countries if I sell the app before filing an application.." That's what people that make a living with the patents system will do.. they will convice you how patents are important, and make you fear to not have any patents.. I did'nt see any conceptual explanation for why he is filling for p…

As I said in my post, I definitely thought long and hard about the implications of applying for such a patent. Your points were definitely at the forefront of my thinking.

In the end, I concluded that Loren Brichter's pull to refresh patent proved rather valuable, so I might as well not close the door on such an opportunity myself.

Re: Link Bubble - A new browser for Android

#62

Post by chris_lacy »

lern_too_spel wrote: post #58
chris_lacy wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This, as well as staring a Chrome waiting anywhere up to 5 seconds or more for t.co links to resolve is what largely inspired me to write Link Bubble.

I've wondered why the Twitter app doesn't automatically replace t.co links with the final destination URL itself.

I assume because they use the t.co link to verify items have been clicked for their ad services, but I can't be sure. Either way, as I user I couldn't stand that wasted time, so I went about trying to fix it.

Re: Link Bubble - A new browser for Android

#63

Post by chris_lacy »

Geee wrote: post #19

This is incredible. This accomplishes exactly the way we browse on desktops: Open links in new tabs and switch to them when they're loaded, and then close them one by one to finally return to the original page. I remember thinking of how to solve this before but didn't come up with a good solution.

Many thanks :)

Re: Link Bubble - A new browser for Android

#64

Post by chris_lacy »

e15ctr0n wrote: post #48
chris_lacy wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Link Bubble uses the Android WebView for rendering, yes. But the API is pretty deficient in a few key areas, and I will likely have to switch to a custom modified version of Android 4.4's WebView at some point.

If the app uses Android WebView for rendering, then its description on the Play Store as an "all-new browser" is a little disingenuous. The article by The Next Web[1] that is quoted in the description on the Play Store starts off by comparing the app with Chrome, Firefox, Dolphin and Opera, which seems to reinforce the wrong impression. [1] http://thenextweb.com/apps/2014/03/21/link-bubble-reimagines...

I'm talking about the interface that presents the web to the user, not the underlying method of rendering the web.

Re: Link Bubble - A new browser for Android

#65

Post by chris_lacy »

aeon10 wrote: post #6

Brilliant stuff. I'm too attached to chrome to let it go completely but this is brilliant when quickly opening links from other apps. Nice stuff

I see Link Bubble as an additional application rather than a complete replacement for your existing browser. Drive the Prius (Link Bubble) around the city during the week, take the truck (Chrome) out on Sundays.

Re: Link Bubble - A new browser for Android

#68

Post by TuringTest »

EddieRingle wrote: post #15
fidotron wrote: post #4

OK, this is completely and absolutely inspired. Brilliant, especially the redirect handling. The design needs a bit of polish, but the core concept is just so damn good it's blatantly going to be copied.

> The design needs a bit of polish, but the core concept is just so damn good it's blatantly going to be copied. Chris Lacy (the author) delayed the release because he was encouraged to patent the idea. Looks to me like that was a good move.

How can this be patented? It doesn't seem functionally no different than "open tab" and "open tab in the background", except that it opens a round notification instead of a tab-shaped one. Is there something else in it that's novel? Maybe the protocol for coordinating apps for opening the link in the background from a different app?

Re: Link Bubble - A new browser for Android

#69

Post by staunch »

buzzkills wrote: post #18
staunch wrote: post #17

Google needs to acquire and integrate.

Please no, I like to see what companies can do without being bought by large lumbering giants.

Big companies integrating things like this are the best kinds of acquisitions. There's no reason something like this should be standalone. Everyone should have a better browser, not just the handful of people that find this app.

Re: Link Bubble - A new browser for Android

#70

Post by lostsock »

chaosmonkey wrote: post #12

This is amazing! Now I am actually starting to notice how much I have to wait when I click on a link from apps. Save to pocket, etc is a nice feature too.

It really is a great feeling when an app solves a problem you hadn't even recognised you had and makes your experience even better. nice work Chris!
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