[APP][4.1+] Kiwi Browser Chromium + Adblock + CAF + Night Mode 2020-04-17|Active

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Release notes

Version Quadea (October 07, 2019)
This version improves stability and add 2 new functionalities, in Main Menu, Settings, Accessibility:
- Always Desktop.
Useful if you are a tablet user, and you prefer Desktop version of websites.

- Toolbar always on screen
If you have a large screen, and want to keep the address bar always handy without having to scroll.

The toolbar is always on by default if you have Accessibility services. You can change that using this option.

Version Lena (September 28, 2019)
This version contains new speed optimizations and fixes minor issues.

The support of shortcuts (special keywords with the exclamation mark symbol) is now extended to all countries and to all search engines. Type: !bangs in the address bar to learn more.

- Fix: Reverse image search and certain cases where the browser was showing "(f).txt".
- Fix: Keyboard buttons (example: on Android TV, or hardware arrow buttons).
- Updated interface when you have > 100 tabs open.
Translations updated in 10+ languages.
- (New) This version improves stability on Adreno GPUs (Galaxy S8/S9+)


Version Impala (September 12, 2019)
Kiwi releases are back!

This version includes fixes (Google Translate language detection, images on the new tab page) and minor changes.

Added support for bangs (shortcuts in the address bar starting with !) in 'US', 'CA', 'GB', 'UK', 'FR', 'DE', 'ES', 'IT', 'IN', 'BR'.
Type !bangs in your address bar to learn more about it (only if you use "Default search" in Settings).

Added support for X64.

Better support for foldable phones.


Version Genie (June 28, 2019)
This version supports text rewrap / reflow (adapt text based on zoom level).

+ Interface and animations are really improved
+ Better performance (new GPU driver and 64-bits engine is now in stable!)

New settings:
+ Google Translate, Yandex and Baidu (Settings, Translator)
+ Possibility to add exceptions / whitelist in content filter
+ Support for external download managers
+ Show extensions first
+ Protect incognito windows

Remember to activate Hide annoying ads in the main menu if you want faster browsing.

Version Eden (May 26, 2019)
This version resolves issue of extensions unloading.

On some devices (in particular Xiaomi), extensions may be unloaded by the system when the device wants to optimize memory.
During the optimization, the device (Android) chooses what processes to disable.
In this new release of Kiwi: Kiwi indicates to Android that if Android wants more memory, it should try to avoid disabling the current active tab and the extensions.
If the extensions are disabled by Android, Kiwi will try to reload them.

Version Deneb (May 23, 2019)
This version includes very significant performance improvements (especially when scrolling, pinching, zooming) and minor fixes.

On some older devices the difference can be very visible.

Version Centaurus (May 19, 2019)
Better stability, more performance improvements, correcting "Sandboxing not allowed" error messages.

Version Betelgeuse (May 17, 2019)
This version fixes Craigslist and adds support for Import / Export on the new tab page.
It also bring performance improvements and fixes an issue with the Search Widget in Night Mode/Black theme.

Support for extensions has been improved as well (chrome.tabs.onCreated/onUpdated/onRemoved).

Version Andromeda (May 10, 2019)
- Fix news on the homepage (can be showing NULL from time to time)
- Fix some crashes when using a tab manager extension
- Fix crash on Quick Tapping in WebView
- This build provides better protection against Omnibox spoofing (address bar) and a much better experience in the Chrome Web Store
- Improve cross-domain management with translator (can resolve some cases where translator was not working)
- Fixing crashes related to Windows Management and one in the Omnibox
- Improved extensions UI
- Improve chrome.tabs API
- Improvements to Video Playback Battery usage (+/- 10% less)

Version Pollux (May 8, 2019)
The bad news: Background play is now disabled on YouTube (request of Google).
XDA users are smart and may find better software for this in these forums and the most technical may even find way to mod the browser but I won't provide any support or help for this.

The good news:
- This version has better performance
- New content filters
- Better extensions support
- Introduces a Diamond Black theme and the homepage is compatible with Dark Reader.


Version Phi (April 19, 2019)
This version includes stability improvements and better extensions compatibility.

An issue with downloading PDF files has been resolved, and another issue where the extension window was sometimes connected to the incorrect tab.

You can now import .crx/.zip files and also user scripts (.user.js!) directly on chrome://extensions.
If you want to use or write your own filters, the extensions Nano Defender/Adbl# offer the best compatibility with Kiwi at the moment (according to the community).

Version Upsilon (April 16, 2019)
This is the 1-year anniversary release of Kiwi Browser.
This version adds support for (real) Chrome Extensions.

Learn more at: https://www.xda-developers.com/kiwi-...sions-android/

Version Sigma (March 6, 2019)
This version includes the latest security improvements from Chromium (including the FileReader bug CVE-2019-5786)
- Fix for news feed
- Hindi and Chinese Traditional translation
- Minor fixes (ex: view-source: )

Version Omicron (March 3, 2019)
This version includes performance and stability fixes.
Most of the changes are behind-the-scenes, this is work to optimize the core of the browser.
- Homepage loads much much much faster
- Fixed crash "Aw Snap!" that happens on some rare configurations.
- Improved stability on Xiaomi devices (GPU crashing)
- Smoother animations and user experience.


Version Lambda (February 27, 2019)
Introducing Reachability: (only if the bottom toolbar is enabled).

When you press the Hand icon, it brings the top of the page into reach (the top of the page slides down).
You can enable or disable the option in Settings, Accessibility.

The function is similar to the iOS "Reachability" function.

+ TLS 1.3 final support
+ Faster homepage loading
+ Faster tab closing
+ Better battery usage
+ Improved ad blocker, popup blocker.
+ Added StartPage in search engines (new installs only)


Version Kappa (February 15, 2019)
- Fix: Issue with the news date on the home page
- Improv: Content filters

Version Iota (February 12, 2019)
- Change: Slightly refreshed UI (icons / rounded corners)
- Improv: Javascript engine is 10% faster than Chromium (try on V8 Benchmark)
- Fix: Touch not taken into account (in particular at the bottom of the screen)
- Change: Night Mode is default to 100% for new installs
- Improv: 101% Night Mode is now White text with differentiated links
- Improv: Automatically follow AMP links to non-AMP version if anti-AMP is enabled
- Improv: Better memory usage
- Improv: 400KB less
and minor bugfixes


Version Eta (January 30, 2019)
This version adds new gestures and improves the homepage.
You can now go back/next, just by swiping left or right on the edge of the page.
This can be enabled/disabled in Settings, Accessibility.
- Feature: Edge swipe to navigate history
- Feature: Improved news system (and can change news region)
- Fix: Improved content filters
- Fix: Bottom toolbar blinking
- Change: Swipe-up to open tab switcher is off by default (configurable in Settings)

Hint: You can switch tab by swiping on the toolbar.


Version Gamma (January 20, 2019)
This release includes improvements to Night Mode and major stability fixes for Android 8.0+
- Improv: Speed and stability
- Improv: Settings in Night Mode are now dark
- Improv: Responsiveness when searching or changing page
- Change: Contextual Search is disabled by default
- Fix: Crash on Android 8
- Fix: Simplied View setting is now functional

- When bottom toolbar is enabled, action buttons are now located
at the bottom (to be reachable with fingers)


Version Zucchini (December 19, 2018)
[+] Feature: Exit browser when last tab is closed (Settings, Privacy)
[+] Improv: Changing the Home page also changes the New Tab Page.
[+] Fix: Crash on Samsung devices
[+] Fix: Czech and Croatian translations
[+] Fix: Annoyances and cookie messages
[+] Feature: Integration with DuckDuckGo and Bing (some users only)

Tip: You can now switch back to the classic
New Tab Page by setting chrome://newtab as homepage in Settings

Version Yuzu (December 12, 2018)
You can now add and remove tiles/websites on the homepage.
Also, I completely removed analytics and Facebook SDK

[+] Manage tiles on the homepage
Long-press to move or delete the tiles.
Important, to remove the news, just click on the cross (it's not deep in Settings anymore).
[+] Added Finnish translation
[+] Uses less data
[+] TLSv1.3 (better security)
[+] Improved content filter
[+] Improved privacy: Removed metrics / analytics SDK (0 tracking!)

The next step is to deliver lot of fixes and extensions.

Version Watermelon (October 23, 2018)
Good news! New release is already here, with Night Mode 2.0!
Thanks to the Kiwi community and contributors
[+] Added Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Turkish, Vietnamese
[+] Significant improvements to Night Mode
[+] Better compatibility with Android P
[+] Much better filter against intrusive ads
[+] Resolved issue with reCAPTCHA

Pro-tip: in Settings, Accessibility you can choose the Contrast level.
You are welcome on Discord (chat) for feedback.


Version Voavanga (October 15, 2018)
Happy release! Next release on 30th Oct
[+] Added Croatian, French, Italian and Spanish (thanks to contributors!)
[+] Improved privacy (new hosts in blacklist, user-agent same as Chrome)
[+] Fix Custom Tabs bottom bar
[+] Fixed Yandex, PayPal Communities, and more.
[+] Minor improv. to night mode
[+] Improved stability on Samsung
[+] Support for latest emojis
[+] Experimental: For 5% of the users, you can now use shortcuts, like !gt for Google Translate and try a minimalistic version of search.

Version Tangerine (October 3, 2018)
Thanks to everyone! You can join the Kiwi Dev community on Discord application: https://discordapp.com/invite/XyMppQq (hold and press "Open with external app").
Next release will arrive around 15th Oct.
- Fix: Bottom toolbar could get stuck in the middle of the screen
- Feature: Import and Export Bookmarks from a file
- Feature: Swipe-up to show Tab Selector
- Feature: Long-press on Back button to view history
- Feature: At the bottom of Accessibility preferences, you can enable/disable the simplified Tab Switcher
+ Cosmetic fixes

Version Raspberry (x86 only) (July 16, 2018)
Resolved stability issues on x86 devices

Version Macadamia/Orange/Papaya/Quenepa (July 14, 2018)
Thank you for spreading the word about Kiwi! More surprises, features and fixes to come.
This new release contains really significant speed improvements, uses less battery and videos continue to play in the background.
- Improv.: Browsing is very fast
- Improv.: Stability & battery usage
- Improv.: Background videos now autoplay when screen is locked
- Improv.: Adaptive icon
- Change: All top toolbar buttons are displayed when Duplex is on
- Fix: Content filter (Disqus login, and more)

Version Kumquat/Lychee (July 4, 2018)
This new release includes a bottom address bar and the translate functionality.
- Upgraded to Chromium 69.0.3477
- Feature: Bottom address bar (Settings, Accessibility, phone-only)
- Feature: Translate (Main menu)
- Feature: Clear data (Main menu)
- Feature: Kiwi can be moved to SD Card (on some devices)
- Improvement: Video player

The next release is planned in 10 days and will include bug fixes.


Version Jackfruit (June 17, 2018)
This version is an intermediate release that includes minor fixes.
The video player is not the final version.

- Upgraded to Chromium 69.0.3462
- Fix: Background play
- Fix: Status bar color
- Feature: AMP remover (Settings, Privacy)
- Feature: Open by default in external app (Settings, Accessibility)
- Improvement: Night mode stays on after restart (phone-only)
- Improvement: If you set more than 100% contrast, text becomes more visible in Night Mode (recommended: 101%)

Version Ilama (June 11, 2018)
This version features an improved night mode and unlocks Facebook Messenger.

- Feature: Facebook Messenger is unlocked on https://m.facebook.com
- Feature: Night mode grayscale and contrast setting
A contrast of 100% will turn off black pixels on devices with AMOLED screen.
- Fix: Dark websites becoming white in night mode
- Fix: Images incorrectly displayed in night mode
- Fix: Contextual search not working on Google (english-only)
- Fix: Annoyances and minor content filter issues

Version Hackberry (May 27, 2018)
This version gives you adblock on/off button (site per site) and several usability fixes (over 40).
Thanks to Youssef, Gala, Mickael, Nitin, Sisi, Francois, Gugun, Rasitha, Jd (merci!), Sangkan, 4esterBY and everyone who helped.
- Upgraded to Chromium 68.0.3438
- Feature: Adblock on/off (Main Menu)
- Feature: Exit button
- Improved: New Tab Page
- Improved: Layout on AMP pages
- Fix: Disable News on Homepage
- Fix: Forum threads not displayed correctly
- Fix: Issue with reCaptcha


Version Guava (May 07, 2018)
This version is more responsive and feels faster on many devices.
It also includes "Night mode", a functionality (experimental) to make websites easier to navigate in low light environments.
- Improved: Application responsiveness
- Feature: Night mode (Menu -> Turn on Night Mode)
- Feature: Disable news on Homepage (Menu -> Home page -> News on Home Page)


Version Feijoa (Apr 28, 2018)
* RECOMMENDED UPGRADE *
This version resolves most of crashes from the previous release.
This version is faster (up to 200 ms per every click) so navigation is more responsive.
Also contains:
- Feature: Setting to close all tabs on exit
- Improved: Doesn't ask anymore access to Google account
- Improved: Takes much less space on disk
- Improved: Removed annoyances on Quora, NDTV, Prothomalo, Hamariweb and more
- Improved: Auto-dismiss "Add to Home Screen"


Version Cherry (Apr 15, 2018)
- Upgraded to Chromium 67.0.3395
- Much faster release
- Fix: Clicking on button on websites did not react.
- Fix: "More results..." button from Google Search not visible.
- Feature: Homepage button.
- Feature: Screenshots work in Incognito mode.
- Feature: Delete history older than 30 days.
- Improved: Stability
- Improved: YouTube, Maps now play by default in Kiwi.
- Improved: Search terms in the top bar instead of the full URL.
- Improved: Menu when you long press on an image, or a link.


Version Blueberry (Apr 05, 2018)
Fixed ANR on First Start Screen
Fixed Privacy Policy and Terms of Service link

Downloads


- Direct APK:
ARM version: https://labs.xda-developers.com/stor...rowser.browser

- Play Store link:
All platforms: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...rowser.browser - Play Protect certified


Commit count: 455

List of HTTP queries used in the browser:

- search.kiwibrowser.com tells you what is the closest google.com server (google.fr/google.de/google.it)
http://search.kiwibrowser.com/search...in&type=chrome

This is a speed reason, if you go directly to google.fr rather than google.com and then google.fr it's faster, and the browser caches this information

- update.kiwibrowser.com is to download the ad blocking list ( http://update.kiwibrowser.com/service/update2 ), yes it needs to download it from somewhere.

Brave downloads it from AWS for example. I do have the same: a text file with a list of filters

- suggest.kiwibrowser.com is a 302 to Google autocomplete (and DuckDuckGo for some users who are beta-testing Bang support)
If you change your search engine, even to the baked Google one, you won't get connected to suggest.kiwibrowser.com at all as far as I know.

At the end of the day, I need to send the query somewhere, there is no choice.

Whether Google, or DuckDuckDuck if you want Suggest, it *has* to ask a server somewhere.
You can turn Suggest off, or send Suggest to your favorite search provider by adding or selecting it.

- chromecontentsuggestions-pa is to download news - http://chromecontentsuggestions-pa.kiwibrowser.com/v1/

Hello !

I'm not reporting any issue, it's just a comment to let you know that I just downloaded and tested the app on 2 different phones, and it works very well !
There is a bit less animations compared to Brave Browser or Chromium (or maybe they're faster), but it is a bit faster on a Honor 5C.
But it seems that the big difference appears on low end devices : on an old KitKat device, it is way smoother than Brave Browser in scrolling...

Otherwise, thanks for this awesome app ! The night mode is very convenient.
Would it be possible to keep it activated after closing the app ?
I mean, the app remembering that the night mode was on for next time you use it ?

Hello,

Thanks for the nice words about the speed

I totally see what you mean about the night mode.
The night mode resets on relaunch in order to avoid incoherence (half is in night mode, half is in day mode and that looks quite ugly)

I'm sure there is a way to improve that, once it's improved, then I can remove the reset

I'll ping you on progress,

Just tested it for a few minutes on my most visited sites. With adblocking on, theverge.com doesn't show it's site logo and navigation bar. Hope you could fix that. Thanks. Nice and fast browser.

Noted, I'll fix theverge.com during the week and update you (and also remove this horrible cookie box )

Hello, Google fvcked up full screen video on canary. It doesn't work correctly since months on multiple roms. It just fails to hide the nav bar and status bar. This issue is also there on ur browser and even though it's not ur fvck up, I'd like to ask, if u can try to fix it. I have a OnePlus One currently on LOS 15.1 Oreo. The screenshot is from the video that popped up first when I launched YouTube.com but it is like that on any website.

To get even more crazy, is there anyway to bring back the URL bar at the bottom?

I think I know what it is,

Can you go to chrome://flags in the address bar
and set "New Media Controls" (#enable-new-media-controls) to "Disabled" ?

If that works, then I know what to change by default
I closely followed development of these new media controls (I am working on gestures for media playing), and they seem to be very buggy so I wouldn't be surprised if they were the cause of the fullscreen not ok.

Note: maybe it's not related to media controls, but I strongly suspect it.

Let me know if this solves the problem,

Btw, yes of course I want to fix it that's a major thing