[ad_1]
Apple
Tech companies have a reputation. Google tends to push the envelope, while Apple takes time to perfect things, without worrying about being “first”. That’s why it’s so strange to see Safari on iPhone get extensions before Chrome on Android.
Starting with iOS 15, Safari for iPhone and iPad can download extensions via the App Store. And these extensions aren’t just from Apple. Third parties can also create them. It’s been the same functionality as desktop Safari for years.
RELATED: What’s New in iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey
What other popular web browser has had extensions for years? Google Chrome, of course. In fact, Chrome and Safari added extensions in 2010. Extensions are a big part of what catapulted Chrome to the popularity it has today. So what’s holding back the Android version?
It is certainly not impossible for Android browsers to have extensions. Dolphin Browser was one of the original third-party browsers on the platform and still exists today with support for “add-ons”.
Add-ons in Firefox for Android
It’s not just smaller, niche browsers that do this. Mozilla Firefox for Android also includes a limited number of add-ons that work on mobile devices. You don’t have access to the vast library of add-ons from the desktop, but there are still a few useful ones that enhance the experience.
RELATED: How to Install Extensions (Add-ons) in Mozilla Firefox
But what if you’re really hooked on Chrome extensions in particular? You might think you’re stuck waiting for Google to follow Apple’s lead and bring them to Chrome for Android. Surprisingly, this is not the case. Google was not only beaten by iOS, but also by developers on their platform.
Kiwi Browser is an open source browser based on Chromium. This is the same backbone for browsers like Microsoft Edge and, of course, Google Chrome. Kiwi, however, allows you to download extensions from the Chrome Web Store.
Chrome desktop extension installed on Kiwi
That’s right, the entire Chrome Web Store is available in the Kiwi browser. You can install extensions just like you would on your PC. You’re using a desktop website on a phone, so the process is a little clunky, but it absolutely works, with one problem.
Since Kiwi is based on Chromium, you miss out on some of the more Google-typical features of Chrome. Namely, you can’t use Chrome’s extremely useful sync feature which keeps all your bookmarks and history in sync between browsers. But get extensions!
Kiwi is proof that Chrome extensions can run in a mobile browser. There is no technical reason why Google couldn’t have added this feature to Chrome on Android some time ago. It could also have followed Firefox’s lead and offered a smaller selection of extensions.
Apple and Google are constantly pushing each other to adopt the features people want. We see it happening all the time. Currently, Apple is making a big push in privacy features, which is leading Google to take it more seriously. Will extensions in Safari on iOS 15 finally trick Google to bring them to Chrome on Android? We can only hope.
RELATED: What Is a Browser Extension?
[ad_2]
picture credit