Maxthon
Encyclopedia
Maxthon is a free web browser
for Microsoft Windows
. The latest release, Maxthon 3, supports both the Trident
and the WebKit
rendering engines.
Maxthon has developed a growing user base since its initial release in 2003, especially in China, so that in 2006, Maxthon 2.0 gained support of several sponsors. In January 2006, Maxthon developers partnered with Microsoft
in its booth at the Consumer Electronics Show
.
Maxthon won a WebWare 100 Award in 2008 and 2009.
web browser. Changyou posted most of the source code for MyIE on his Bulletin board system
before leaving the project in 2000. Chen continued developing MyIE and in 2002 released a new version, MyIE2. MyIE2 grew quickly, with users around the world contributing plugins and skins
, and assisting with debugging
. It was renamed Maxthon in 2003.
Chen founded Mysoft International Limited in Hong Kong in 1999 to distribute the MyIE browser. In 2005 the company received seed funding from venture capital
firm WI Harper Group and Morten Lund, the first Skype
investor, and Chen moved the company to Beijing. In 2006 Maxthon received further investment from the US-based venture capital
firm Charles River Ventures.
On April 10, 2007, TechCrunch
reported that Google
had invested at least US$1 million in Maxthon; this was denied the following day by Chen. However, in an interview with the Chinese portal
Sina.com
, Chen did not rule out future "co-operation" between the two businesses.
Maxthon was one of the twelve browsers Microsoft
presented in 2010 at BrowserChoice.eu
, a website that allows users of Microsoft Windows
residing in the European Economic Area
to choose which default web browser they would like to use on their computer.
that implemented a tabbed browser using the Trident
layout engine
which Microsoft introduced with Internet Explorer 4
. As such, version 1 was compatible with every version of Windows from Windows 95
to Windows 7. Development of version 1 stopped in 2010 with so-called Maxthon (Classic), version 1.6.7.35; earlier releases are available from Maxthon,, and version 1.6.7.35, which fixed a bug in selecting the default search engine, is still available at other download sites.
"Classic Version Features: Use less system resources, more stable, better compatibility, Mouse Gesture, Super Drag&Drop, Ad Hunter, Undo List, Simple Skin Support, Plugins Support..."
The latest release of the Classic Version is 1.6.7.35. It functions properly with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, 7 and 8 on Microsoft Windows XP Home, XP Professional, all releases of Windows Vista and Windows 7.
There are a number of add-ons available for Maxthon Classic on their dedicated add-on site and even more are available on their discussion forums. Specific threads may provide direct download links as well. Some add-ons are build specific, but when that is the case, a clear indication of compatibility can often be found. Downloads of earlier releases are available for testing and/or general use should issues with the latest releases arise.
New features include:
engine and a Webkit
engine, otherwise called "Dual Display Engines". It currently features:
As of 30 June 2011, it is at version Maxthon browser (3.1.3.600.beta)
Web browser
A web browser is a software application for retrieving, presenting, and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web. An information resource is identified by a Uniform Resource Identifier and may be a web page, image, video, or other piece of content...
for Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
. The latest release, Maxthon 3, supports both the Trident
Trident (layout engine)
Trident is the name of the layout engine for the Microsoft Windows version of Internet Explorer.It was first introduced with the release of Internet Explorer version 4.0 in October 1997; it has been steadily upgraded and remains in use today...
and the WebKit
WebKit
WebKit is a layout engine designed to allow web browsers to render web pages. WebKit powers Google Chrome and Apple Safari and by October 2011 held over 33% of the browser market share between them. It is also used as the basis for the experimental browser included with the Amazon Kindle ebook...
rendering engines.
Maxthon has developed a growing user base since its initial release in 2003, especially in China, so that in 2006, Maxthon 2.0 gained support of several sponsors. In January 2006, Maxthon developers partnered with Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
in its booth at the Consumer Electronics Show
Consumer Electronics Show
The International Consumer Electronics Show is a major technology-related trade show held each January in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Not open to the public, the Consumer Electronics Association-sponsored show typically hosts previews of products and new...
.
Maxthon won a WebWare 100 Award in 2008 and 2009.
History
According to Maxthon International CEO Ming Jie "Jeff" Chen, Maxthon was based on MyIE, which was originally created by Changyou, a Chinese programmer who wanted to customize the Internet ExplorerInternet Explorer
Windows Internet Explorer is a series of graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, starting in 1995. It was first released as part of the add-on package Plus! for Windows 95 that year...
web browser. Changyou posted most of the source code for MyIE on his Bulletin board system
Bulletin board system
A Bulletin Board System, or BBS, is a computer system running software that allows users to connect and log in to the system using a terminal program. Once logged in, a user can perform functions such as uploading and downloading software and data, reading news and bulletins, and exchanging...
before leaving the project in 2000. Chen continued developing MyIE and in 2002 released a new version, MyIE2. MyIE2 grew quickly, with users around the world contributing plugins and skins
Skin (computing)
In computing, a skin is a custom graphical appearance achieved by the use of a graphical user interface that can be applied to specific software and websites to suit the purpose, topic, or tastes of different users....
, and assisting with debugging
Debugging
Debugging is a methodical process of finding and reducing the number of bugs, or defects, in a computer program or a piece of electronic hardware, thus making it behave as expected. Debugging tends to be harder when various subsystems are tightly coupled, as changes in one may cause bugs to emerge...
. It was renamed Maxthon in 2003.
Chen founded Mysoft International Limited in Hong Kong in 1999 to distribute the MyIE browser. In 2005 the company received seed funding from venture capital
Venture capital
Venture capital is financial capital provided to early-stage, high-potential, high risk, growth startup companies. The venture capital fund makes money by owning equity in the companies it invests in, which usually have a novel technology or business model in high technology industries, such as...
firm WI Harper Group and Morten Lund, the first Skype
Skype
Skype is a software application that allows users to make voice and video calls and chat over the Internet. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free, while calls to both traditional landline telephones and mobile phones can be made for a fee using a debit-based user account system...
investor, and Chen moved the company to Beijing. In 2006 Maxthon received further investment from the US-based venture capital
Venture capital
Venture capital is financial capital provided to early-stage, high-potential, high risk, growth startup companies. The venture capital fund makes money by owning equity in the companies it invests in, which usually have a novel technology or business model in high technology industries, such as...
firm Charles River Ventures.
On April 10, 2007, TechCrunch
TechCrunch
TechCrunch is a web publication that offers technology news and analysis, as well as profiling of startup companies, products, and websites. It was founded by Michael Arrington in 2005, and was first published on June 11, 2005....
reported that Google
Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
had invested at least US$1 million in Maxthon; this was denied the following day by Chen. However, in an interview with the Chinese portal
Web portal
A web portal or links page is a web site that functions as a point of access to information in the World Wide Web. A portal presents information from diverse sources in a unified way....
Sina.com
Sina.com
SINA is an online media company for China and Chinese communities around the world. SINA operates four major business lines: Sina Weibo, SINA Mobile, SINA Online, and SINA.net. SINA has over 100 million registered users worldwide...
, Chen did not rule out future "co-operation" between the two businesses.
Maxthon was one of the twelve browsers Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
presented in 2010 at BrowserChoice.eu
BrowserChoice.eu
BrowserChoice.eu is a website that was created in March 2010 as the result of the European Union Microsoft competition case which involved legal proceedings by the EU against Microsoft that found that, via market dominance of the operating system market with Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer's...
, a website that allows users of Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
residing in the European Economic Area
European Economic Area
The European Economic Area was established on 1 January 1994 following an agreement between the member states of the European Free Trade Association and the European Community, later the European Union . Specifically, it allows Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway to participate in the EU's Internal...
to choose which default web browser they would like to use on their computer.
Features
- Tabbed document interface
- Saves open tabs in case of program shutdown or system crashCrash (computing)A crash in computing is a condition where a computer or a program, either an application or part of the operating system, ceases to function properly, often exiting after encountering errors. Often the offending program may appear to freeze or hang until a crash reporting service documents...
- UndoUndoUndo is a command in many computer programs. It erases the last change done to the document reverting it to an older state. In some more advanced programs such as graphic processing, undo will negate the last command done to the file being edited....
for any tabs accidentally closed - AD Hunter - an ad-blocking utility that blocks pop-upsPop-up adPop-up ads or pop-ups are a form of online advertising on the World Wide Web intended to attract web traffic or capture email addresses. Pop-ups are generally new web browser windows to display advertisements...
, Web bannerWeb bannerA web banner or banner ad is a form of advertising on the World Wide Web delivered by an ad server. This form of online advertising entails embedding an advertisement into a web page. It is intended to attract traffic to a website by linking to the website of the advertiser...
and floating ads in webpages - Adobe FlashAdobe FlashAdobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
, Java appletJava appletA Java applet is an applet delivered to users in the form of Java bytecode. Java applets can run in a Web browser using a Java Virtual Machine , or in Sun's AppletViewer, a stand-alone tool for testing applets...
and ActiveXActiveXActiveX is a framework for defining reusable software components in a programming language-independent way. Software applications can then be composed from one or more of these components in order to provide their functionality....
blocker - SkinnableSkin (computing)In computing, a skin is a custom graphical appearance achieved by the use of a graphical user interface that can be applied to specific software and websites to suit the purpose, topic, or tastes of different users....
- Customizable tabs and interface
- Programmable mouse gestureMouse gestureIn computing, a pointing device gesture or mouse gesture is a way of combining pointing device movements and clicks which the software recognizes as a specific command. Pointing device gestures can provide quick access to common functions of a program. They can also be useful for people who have...
s and mouse chordingMouse chordingMouse chording is the capability of performing actions when multiple mouse buttons are held down, much like a chorded keyboard. Like mouse gestures, chorded actions may lack feedback and affordance and would therefore offer no way for users to discover possible chords without reference... - External utility bar - toolbar that allows you to open third-party programs
- RSS reader
- Supports many Internet Explorer plugins as well as plugins of its own
- Partial Gecko engineGecko (layout engine)Gecko is a free and open source layout engine used in many applications developed by Mozilla Foundation and the Mozilla Corporation , as well as in many other open source software projects....
support with the use of a third-party program - A searchSearch engine technologyModern web search engines are complex software systems using the technology that has evolved over the years. There are several categories of search engine software: Web search engines , database or structured data search engines , and mixed search engines or enterprise search...
toolbar with 8 different search engines (user extensible) - Automatic updating service
- Groups - the ability to bookmark & open multiple pages simultaneously
- URL aliases - open URLs by just typing a word in the address bar
- Simple collector - a small notepad-like utility, used to collect any text from web pages. You can write scripts in it and run them in the current web page
- Integrated web services - user extensible, but by default includes translators, Google's cached version of pages, Whois and anonymous web proxies
- Enhanced security - Even if a security hole has not yet been corrected in the underlying web rendering engine, Maxthon browser prevent most of the well-known exploits to run.
Version 1.x
Maxthon version 1, which continued version 0 of MyIE2, was an Internet Explorer shellInternet Explorer shell
An Internet Explorer shell is any computer software that uses the Trident rendering engine of the Internet Explorer web browser. Although the term "Trident shell" is probably more accurate for describing these applications , the term "Internet Explorer shell", or "IE shell", is in common parlance...
that implemented a tabbed browser using the Trident
Trident (layout engine)
Trident is the name of the layout engine for the Microsoft Windows version of Internet Explorer.It was first introduced with the release of Internet Explorer version 4.0 in October 1997; it has been steadily upgraded and remains in use today...
layout engine
Layout engine
A web browser engine, , is a software component that takes marked up content and formatting information and displays the formatted content on the screen. It "paints" on the content area of a window, which is displayed on a monitor or a printer...
which Microsoft introduced with Internet Explorer 4
Internet Explorer 4
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 is a graphical web browser released in September 1997 by Microsoft, primarily for Microsoft Windows, but also with versions available for Apple Mac OS, Solaris, and HP-UX and marketed as "The Web the Way You Want It".It was one of the main participants of the first...
. As such, version 1 was compatible with every version of Windows from Windows 95
Windows 95
Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system. It was released on August 24, 1995 by Microsoft, and was a significant progression from the company's previous Windows products...
to Windows 7. Development of version 1 stopped in 2010 with so-called Maxthon (Classic), version 1.6.7.35; earlier releases are available from Maxthon,, and version 1.6.7.35, which fixed a bug in selecting the default search engine, is still available at other download sites.
"Classic Version Features: Use less system resources, more stable, better compatibility, Mouse Gesture, Super Drag&Drop, Ad Hunter, Undo List, Simple Skin Support, Plugins Support..."
The latest release of the Classic Version is 1.6.7.35. It functions properly with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, 7 and 8 on Microsoft Windows XP Home, XP Professional, all releases of Windows Vista and Windows 7.
There are a number of add-ons available for Maxthon Classic on their dedicated add-on site and even more are available on their discussion forums. Specific threads may provide direct download links as well. Some add-ons are build specific, but when that is the case, a clear indication of compatibility can often be found. Downloads of earlier releases are available for testing and/or general use should issues with the latest releases arise.
Version 2.x
The latest release version of Maxthon 2.5.16.1000 is currently available for download on the official website.New features include:
- New layout
- New customization options
- New default icons
- Maxthon Security Updates
- Multi-user support
- Content blocker
- Improved Performance & Stability
- Maxthon Smart Accelerator
- Magic Fill
- Link validator
- Improved favicon support
- Improved favorite search
- Favorite + Feed manager
- Automatic online favorite & feed synchronization
- Page find tool
- Plugin installer
- Improved proxy support
- Tab manager
- Frameless mode
- New Configuration Interface
- Anti-Freeze
Version 3.x
Maxthon 3 has both TridentTrident (layout engine)
Trident is the name of the layout engine for the Microsoft Windows version of Internet Explorer.It was first introduced with the release of Internet Explorer version 4.0 in October 1997; it has been steadily upgraded and remains in use today...
engine and a Webkit
WebKit
WebKit is a layout engine designed to allow web browsers to render web pages. WebKit powers Google Chrome and Apple Safari and by October 2011 held over 33% of the browser market share between them. It is also used as the basis for the experimental browser included with the Amazon Kindle ebook...
engine, otherwise called "Dual Display Engines". It currently features:
- Ad Hunter
- Online Favorites
- Trident and Webkit engines
- Muting a page
- Magic Fill
- URL Safety
- Video Popup/Save buttons
- Multi Search
- Mouse Gesture
- Super Drag & Drop
- Smart Address Bar
- Private Browsing
- New Work Space Window
- Split Screen
- Snap feature(Screen capture with tools)
- Rss Feed Reader(Beta)
- Online Notepad
- Translation Tool
- Sync System(Now options & Quick Access only)
- Customize UI
- URL Short Key & URL Alias
- Enhanced Resource Sniffer
- New App Frame
- Group Feature(add all tabs to favorites/groups)
- Sync Center
- Sidebar
- Subscribing AdHunter Rules and Global Rules
- Spell Checker
- Auto Refresh
- Calendar View For History
- Allowed to share AdHunter rules with other Maxthon users
- Reader mode
As of 30 June 2011, it is at version Maxthon browser (3.1.3.600.beta)
Maxthon Mobile for Android 1.x
Maxthon recently announced a new version of Maxthon for Android users, which has features like:- RSS Feed Reader (Widget)
- A downloader with the ability to resume
- Quick-Access
- Super Gestures