bkardellJan 2
What is your default browser going into 2026, and when is the last time that changed?
Show threadDave LetoreyJan 2
@bkardell
I have an iPhone so it is Safari no matter what app icon I click.
At this rate it will never change not until the UK government listens to @owa and others fighting this fight.
Show threadStuart LangridgeJan 2
@dletorey @bkardell @owa and yeah, on my phone it's safari, of course, because I have no choice. But next phone will be Android again, so that'll be another shift...
Show threadbkardellJan 2
@sil @dletorey @owa I am not trying to argue the point, but - I mean, there is a _difference_ on ios, it's just at the same kind of level as Vivaldi vs any other chromium, right? It's not _pointless_ to adopt chrome or something there. Is vivaldi available on iOS?
Show threadDave Letorey
@bkardell @sil @owa
I see what you are saying but if a feature is supported in chrome and not safari it does not work because chrome is not really chrome.
@slightlyoff told us about this at #SotB21
https://2021.stateofthebrowser.com/speakers/alex-russell/
Alex Russell | State of the Browser 2021

Hobson's Browser: How Browser Choice Died In Our Hands

Jan 2 at 6:07pmWeb
Show threadDave LetoreyJan 2
@bkardell @sil @owa @slightlyoff
We have great speakers this year too:
https://2026.stateofthebrowser.com/speakers/
Speakers | State of the Browser

Here is the announced list of speakers for 2026's conference.

Show threadbkardellJan 2
@dletorey @sil @owa @slightlyoff Yeah, I'm familliar with how it works, but it's similar to how the difference to Vivaldi vs Chrome is mainly browser level features. The same sorts of browser level differences do exist on iOS and I'm just kind of curious why one is a good choice and the other pointless.. I get that "choice" is the problem, I guess I'm just curious how much those browser features matter I guess.
Show threadLukeJan 2
@bkardell @dletorey @sil @owa @slightlyoff I would argue it's a false equivalency btw. Vivaldi on desktop gets to choose what features they do or do not enable, they get to add features to the engine level that aren't there if they want to (brave has Global privacy control). Microsoft Edge could patch a vulnerability before Google do on their end if they want. All of this despite using the same engine. These kinds of differentiations aren't possible on iOS at all.
Show threadbkardellJan 2
@Lukew @dletorey @sil @owa @slightlyoff Fair point, it's similar but not same. It's interesting that that is a differentiating factor for choice though, and not browser features.
Show threadLukeJan 2
@bkardell @dletorey @sil @owa @slightlyoff a really privacy focused browser that removes as much entropy as possible, probably doesn't care about new flashy features but to the opposite extent they want to disable some, amend others. This is where user choice really fails. Personally I think browser vendors do their users a disservice by ever shipping on iOS because that just reinforces to Apple (and uneducated governments) that this is an acceptable situation.
Show threadAlex RussellJan 2
@Lukew @bkardell @dletorey @sil @owa I have long argued to execs that they should adopt Dion Almer's idea and call these knockoff browsers "Lite" versions. Chrome Lite, FF Lite, Edge Lite, etc. And do it in unison. But browser execs are...*sigh*
Show threadDave LetoreyJan 2

@slightlyoff @Lukew @bkardell @sil @owa
It seems to me that you should all come to #SotB26 to discuss this in person

https://2026.stateofthebrowser.com/tickets/

Tickets | State of the Browser

More information and buying options for tickets.

Show threadAlex RussellJan 2

@Lukew @bkardell @dletorey @sil @owa not to mention, this ties our brands to the worst contemporary engine, which both makes us look bad, but also deprives us the ability to market into that gap!

We would *love* to be able to tell users about how much safer and faster Edge is. Bur we can't, because Apple's Hobson's Choice. Its rank, and has hurt users and the web.

Show threadAlex RussellJan 2

@bkardell @dletorey @sil @owa mate, the size and scale of the gap has been so large (and backed by such a wealth bubble effect) that it has distorted the entire market for software on phones, not just impacted browser competition:

https://webventures.rejh.nl/blog/2024/history-of-safari-show-stoppers/

https://infrequently.org/2025/09/cupertinos-comforting-myths/

An Abridged History of Safari Showstoppers - Webventures

TL;DR: iOS Safari is more than an inconvenience for developers, it's the fundamental reason interoperability has been stymied...

Webventures