Safari (web browser)

Safari

File:Safari screenshot.png Safari running on macOS Big Sur
Developer(s)	Apple Inc.
Initial release	January  7, 2003 (2003-01-07)
Repository	{{URL|example.com|optional display text}}
Written in	C++, Objective-C, Swift
Engine	WebKit
Operating system	macOS, iOS, iPadOS
Platform	ARM, x86-64
Available in	Multilingual
Type	Web browser
License	Proprietary
Website	apple.com/safari

Safari is a web browser developed by Apple Inc. It was first released in 2003 with Mac OS X Panther and has since become the default browser on macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. Safari is known for its speed, energy efficiency, and integration with the Apple ecosystem.

History

Safari was introduced during the Macworld Conference & Expo in January 2003 by Steve Jobs. The browser was initially based on the KHTML rendering engine, which was later developed into the WebKit engine. WebKit has since become a widely used engine, powering other browsers such as Google Chrome and Opera.

Features

Safari includes several features designed to enhance the browsing experience:

• Reader Mode: Simplifies web pages by removing ads and other distractions.
• iCloud Integration: Syncs bookmarks, history, and open tabs across all Apple devices.
• Privacy and Security: Includes features like Intelligent Tracking Prevention and sandboxing to protect user data.
• Extensions: Supports a variety of extensions available through the Mac App Store.

Performance

Safari is optimized for the Apple silicon architecture, providing significant performance improvements on devices with M1 and later processors. The browser is also designed to be energy-efficient, extending battery life on MacBook and iPhone devices.

Compatibility

Safari supports modern web standards, including HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. It also includes developer tools for debugging and optimizing web pages.

Criticism

Despite its many features, Safari has faced criticism for its limited support for certain web technologies and slower update cycle compared to other browsers like Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome.

See also

• List of web browsers
• Comparison of web browsers
• Apple Inc. software

External links

• Official website