FINALLY Ditching Microsoft Edge... for Zen Browser

Summary

This video explores the Zen browser, a Firefox-based browser focusing on privacy and customization. The reviewer highlights its improved performance over Firefox, particularly on M1 MacBook Air, and its user interface resembling Firefox but with added features like workspaces and a sidebar for a mobile-like browsing experience. The alpha release shows promise with its theme store and split-view capabilities, though it has some rough edges. The video also features a sponsored segment on a 2.1 Channel Soundbar with a discount offer.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The speaker has been using Microsoft Edge for over a year but recently started experimenting with Firefox and the Zen browser.
• 🔧 The Zen browser is an alpha release and lacks some features, but it is focused on privacy and customization.
• 🎉 The video is sponsored by Goo, promoting a 2.1 Channel Soundbar with a discount and coupon code provided.
• 📊 The Zen browser shows a performance increase in the alpha release, especially on the Basemark web benchmark, though it still lags behind Chromium browsers.
• 🛠️ The user interface of Zen browser resembles Firefox, with familiar menus and settings, but with unique features like workspaces and a sidebar.
• 🖌️ The theme store for Zen browser allows for easy installation and customization of themes using CSS files.
• 🔗 The browser includes a split view feature for tabs, which, while not perfect, offers a side-by-side view of web pages.
• 𑁑 The Zen browser's sidebar provides a mobile browsing format with independent navigation for each service.
• 🔄 The speaker appreciates the sidebar's compact mode, which autohides the UI to maximize screen real estate.
• 🌐 The Zen browser is positioned as an Edge-like version of Firefox, offering a rebranded and reskinned web experience with additional features.
• 🔗 The video concludes with a recommendation for the Goo Soundbar and links to resources mentioned, including the Zen browser and Better Fox.

Q & A

What is the Zen browser and how does it compare to other browsers in terms of performance?

The Zen browser is a Firefox-based browser with a focus on privacy and customization. It is still in alpha release and, while it lags behind Chromium-based browsers in general benchmarking, it shows a significant performance increase compared to previous Firefox releases, particularly on a basemark web test.

What are some unique features of the Zen browser's user interface?

The Zen browser has a unique tab management system that allows users to group and split view tabs. It also includes a sidebar with quick access to favorites, history, and settings, and a theme store for customizing the browser's appearance.

How does the Zen browser handle privacy?

The Zen browser emphasizes privacy, offering features such as private mode highlighting and the ability to add proxies directly into the browser settings. It also provides a clean separation of workflows through workspaces.

What is the process of adding a theme to the Zen browser?

To add a theme in the Zen browser, users can visit the theme store, select a theme, and click 'Install Theme'. The changes are immediate, and themes can be easily uninstalled if desired.

What is the sidebar feature in the Zen browser and how does it work?

The sidebar in the Zen browser acts as a separate panel that provides a mobile browsing format with quick access to websites like Wikipedia, Twitter, and YouTube. Users can add or remove websites from the sidebar for easy access.

How does the Zen browser's split view feature work?

The split view feature allows users to view two or more tabs side by side. Users can select multiple tabs and use keyboard shortcuts to split them into a grid view. However, as of the alpha release, there are limitations such as the inability to unsplit views without closing tabs.

What is the purpose of the Zen browser's workspaces feature?

Workspaces in the Zen browser allow users to separate their browsing sessions based on different activities or projects. Users can create, name, and switch between different workspaces to organize their tabs and browsing tasks.

What is the sponsor of the video and what product are they promoting?

The sponsor of the video is Goo, and they are promoting their 2.1 Channel Soundbar with quad base and dual full-range speakers, which features Adobe Atmos, HDMI ARC, and more.

What is the current status of the Zen browser in terms of development?

The Zen browser is currently in the alpha release stage, which means it is still under development and lacks some features. However, it already offers a range of privacy-focused and customization options.

How can users follow the development and contribute to the Zen browser?

Users can follow the development of the Zen browser and contribute by visiting their GitHub page, where they can find information on submitting and creating themes, as well as the browser's source code.

What are some of the limitations of the Zen browser as mentioned in the script?

Some limitations of the Zen browser mentioned in the script include the inability to easily unsplit tabs in the split view feature and the lack of flexibility in moving or resizing the split view windows. Additionally, the sidebar does not currently move to the side of the screen when tabs are repositioned.