Introducing Zen Browser: A Privacy-Centric Web Experience
Zen Browser is an open-source web browser rooted in Mozilla Firefox, specifically designed to prioritize user privacy and provide a highly customizable browsing experience. This browser stands out by effectively blocking ads and trackers, ensuring that users’ data remains confidential.
With the inclusion of Zen Mods, users can further tailor their browser experience. This feature offers a variety of customization options, such as split views and vertical tabs, enhancing both functionality and efficiency. Zen Browser delivers a swift browsing experience complemented by a lightweight interface.
Dedicated to giving users control over their online experience, Zen Browser serves as a minimalist yet robust alternative to conventional web browsers while safeguarding your privacy.
Understanding Zen Browser’s DRM Limitations
It’s important to note that Zen Browser currently does not support DRM (Digital Rights Management) content. As a result, popular streaming services such as Netflix and HBO Max cannot be accessed. This limitation arises from the absence of a Widevine license, which carries substantial costs that are not feasible for the developer. Additionally, acquiring this license would likely require Zen to integrate with a larger company, similar to what Mozilla or Brave have done. Therefore, the support for DRM-protected media in Zen Browser seems unlikely in the near future.
Key Features of Zen Browser
Zen Browser is packed with features designed to enhance user experience, privacy, and customization:
- Privacy-Centric: Actively blocks trackers and minimizes data collection.
- Automatic Updates: Ensures security patches are applied promptly.
- Zen Mods: Offers customizable themes and layouts.
- Workspaces: Organize tabs into designated workspaces.
- Compact Mode: Frees up screen space by reducing UI elements.
- Zen Glance: Provides quick previews of websites.
- Split Views: Allows viewing multiple tabs simultaneously in one window.
- Sidebar: Quick access to bookmarks and essential tools.
- Vertical Tabs: Manage tabs vertically for better organization.
- Container Tabs: Create isolated browsing sessions.
- Fast Profile Switcher: Quickly switch between user profiles.
- Tab Folders: Organize tabs into easily manageable folders.
- Customizable UI: Personalize the browser interface to fit individual preferences.
- Robust Security: Inherits the strong security features of Firefox.
- High Performance: Lightweight and optimized for speed.
- Deep Customization: Explore extensive modifications with Zen Mods.
- Quick Access: Easy navigation to favorite websites.
- Open Source: Developed on Mozilla Firefox with community involvement.
- Community-Driven: Actively developed with user feedback.
- GitHub Repository: Contribute to and review the source code.
Highlights from Zen Browser 1.16b Changelog
The latest update for Zen Browser focuses on enhancing user interaction through improvements to the URL bar. Users can now easily open extensions and switch between workspaces by simply typing their names. The interface has been redesigned for a more intuitive experience, alongside smoother transitions and overall performance enhancements.
New Features Include:
- Upgraded to Firefox version 143.0
- Introduced command bar actions, allowing direct toggling of Compact Mode.
- Extensions can be launched by typing their names directly in the URL bar.
- Smoother transitions in Compact Mode when switching spaces.
- New shortcut (cmd+alt+=) for creating split views along with a revamped interface for split view creation.
- Enhanced usability of the URL bar for richer results.
- Workspace switching by entering the space name in the URL bar.
- Optimized Zen Glance for faster performance and smoother scrolling.
Bug Fixes:
- Resolved the issue with pinned tabs not saving or restoring accurately.
- Fixed a bug affecting tab restoration across different workspaces.
Changes Made:
- Reassigned the ‘cmd+O’ shortcut from opening a file to expanding Glance.
- Changed the ‘cmd+shift+D’ shortcut from saving all bookmarks to pinning/unpinning tabs.
- Improved the performance of space-swiping gestures.
- Aligned keyboard shortcuts on macOS with native system symbols.
- Enhanced performance and interface for the drag-to-split action.
- Incorporated various security fixes.
Download Zen Browser
You can download Zen Browser from the following links:
For more information, visit the Zen Browser Home Page or check out our community on Reddit.
Source: Neowin
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