Podcast Summary: Hands-On Windows 135: New Web Browsers for 2025

Release Date: April 10, 2025
Host: Paul Throt
Podcast Series: All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio)
Description: Leo Laporte brings some of the most interesting personalities in technology together to discuss the most important issues. Fun, relaxed, informative, and always entertaining, TWiT is your go-to source for the best tech podcasts in the world.

Introduction

In the 135th episode of Hands-On Windows, host Paul Throt delves into the evolving landscape of web browsers, spotlighting three innovative browsers emerging in 2025. This discussion comes at a time when the tech world is witnessing significant shifts, with major players like Chrome adjusting their extension support, prompting users to explore alternatives that prioritize privacy, customization, and performance.

Overview of the Current Browser Ecosystem

Paul begins by recapping the current browser market, emphasizing Chrome's dominance and recent changes that affect extension support—a critical feature for many users focused on privacy and security. He notes:

"Chrome is the most popular web browser by far, still kicking, still going strong... but they did just drop support for a popular browser extension standard that is going to impact, or already has impacted a lot of extensions, including those that protect privacy and security." [02:00]

This shift creates an opportunity for alternative browsers to attract users dissatisfied with Chrome's new direction.

Featured Browsers for 2025

Paul introduces three standout browsers: Xen, Opera Air, and Sidekick. Each offers unique features catering to different user needs.

1. Xen Browser

Xen emerges as a compelling option for users seeking a browser that closely resembles Arc with added benefits. Key highlights include:

• User Interface (UI): Features a sidebar with color-coded workspaces, allowing multiple organized spaces for different tasks or projects.

• Open Source & Engine: Based on Mozilla Firefox's Gecko engine, distinguishing it from the prevalent Chromium-based browsers. This choice appeals to users wary of a Chromium monoculture.

• Extension Support: Unlike some alternatives, Xen maintains compatibility with Chrome extensions, ensuring users retain access to familiar tools like uBlock Origin without compromising on performance or security.

• Customization: Offers extensive modding capabilities, enabling users to tailor the browser experience extensively, similar to browsers like Vivaldi.

Paul remarks on Xen's alignment with Firefox's principles and its open-source nature:

"Xen is open source... something for those who worry about monoculture in the browser world and so forth, not a big fan of Chromium or not a big fan of Google, this might be right up your alley." [05:30]

2. Opera Air

Opera Air presents a minimalist take on the traditional Opera browser, focusing on a clean and customizable user experience. Notable features include:

• Aesthetic Customization: Supports various themes and color schemes, allowing users to personalize the browser's appearance to their preference.

• Wellness Integration: Introduces a 'Take a Break' functionality that prompts users to engage in activities like breathing exercises or meditation, promoting healthier computer usage habits.

• Sidebar Applications: Incorporates a sidebar with apps instead of traditional tabs, enabling users to receive notifications without cluttering the main browsing interface. For example, email and calendar apps can send alerts directly through the sidebar.

• Resource Efficiency: By housing apps in the sidebar, Opera Air reduces memory and resource usage compared to keeping multiple tabs open, enhancing overall performance.

Paul shares his appreciation for the streamlined UI:

"I really like the lightness and kind of minimalist effect of Opera Air... these things don't sit there and run in memory. They just alert you when something happens." [07:45]

This design choice appeals to users seeking efficiency without sacrificing functionality.

3. Sidekick Browser

Sidekick is introduced as a feature-rich Chromium-based browser that blends performance with innovative functionalities. Key aspects include:

• Chromium Foundation: Ensures high compatibility and performance, with the added advantage of supporting extensions exclusively from the Chrome Web Store.

• Sidebar Integration: Similar to Opera Air, Sidekick features a sidebar for web apps, allowing users to manage services like Gmail and Google Calendar more effectively. It uniquely supports multiple accounts for these services, facilitating seamless transitions between personal and professional profiles.

• AI-Powered Features: Incorporates AI functionalities such as searching across multiple services simultaneously and managing multi-step tasks through a feature called Tasks, which can automate and suggest actions based on user behavior.

• Enhanced Privacy: Sidekick claims to offer up to 3x performance gains by reducing Google integration, thereby minimizing tracking and enhancing user privacy. It also boasts effective tracker blocking, surpassing many other browsers except Brave.

Paul is intrigued by Sidekick's advanced features and potential:

"This is the most interesting of these... it's Chromium, which I like. It's super fast and it's the type of thing where you could just use it... if you are someone who wants to really customize it or take advantage of these advanced features, this is a ton going on here." [09:50]

He acknowledges that while Sidekick offers a multitude of functionalities, it requires further exploration to fully understand its capabilities.

Comparative Insights

Paul draws comparisons between the three browsers, highlighting their strengths and target audiences:

• Xen appeals to those preferring an open-source platform with extensive customization and a move away from Chromium.

• Opera Air suits users who value a minimalist interface combined with productivity and wellness features, maintaining the familiar Opera experience.

• Sidekick targets power users seeking advanced AI integrations, multi-account management, and robust privacy protections within a Chromium-based framework.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Paul expressing his enthusiasm for the innovative approaches these new browsers bring to the market. He underscores the importance of diversity in browser options, especially in an era where privacy and customization are paramount.

"Hopefully you found this useful and interesting... we have a new episode of Hands on Windows every Thursday." [13:00]

Paul encourages listeners to explore these alternatives to find a browser that best fits their unique needs, emphasizing the dynamic and evolving nature of web browsing technology.

Notable Quotes

• Paul Throt on Xen:

  "If you worry about monoculture in the browser world and so forth, not a big fan of Chromium or not a big fan of Google, this might be right up your alley." [05:30]

• Paul Throt on Opera Air:

  "I really like the lightness and kind of minimalist effect of Opera Air... they just alert you when something happens." [07:45]

• Paul Throt on Sidekick:

  "This is the most interesting of these... if you are someone who wants to really customize it or take advantage of these advanced features, this is a ton going on here." [09:50]

Final Thoughts

Hands-On Windows continues to provide insightful analysis into the latest developments in Windows and web technologies. In this episode, Paul Throt effectively highlights emerging web browsers that prioritize privacy, performance, and user-centric features, offering listeners valuable information to make informed decisions in their browsing choices.

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