Apple Safari 4 Beta a Major Step Forward, eWEEK Labs Finds
ITunes-like Features
The iTunes-like Cover Flow feature in Safari 4 provides a unique and intuitive interface for searching through Web sites in the browser history.
Cover Flow
The new Cover Flow feature in the Safari 4 beta greatly enhances browsing through bookmarks in the browser.
Good Launch Page
The new top site feature in the beta of Safari 4 provides a very good launch page for browser windows or new tabs, letting users view favorite sites and also see at a glance which sites have added new content.
Customization
Users can customize and edit the Top Sites feature in Safari 4 by changing the size and number of sites, as well as pinning specific sites to always appear in a certain spot.
Smart Address Bar
Like most modern browsers, the Safari 4 beta now adds a smart address bar that shows multiple choices when typing in the field.
Search Suggestions
A major shortcoming in the Safari browser was its lack of search suggestions, something the beta of Safari 4 finally addresses.
Open Tabs at Top
Following in the footsteps of Google Chrome, the Safari 4 beta now displays open tabs at the very top of the browser.
True Windows Feel
While the previous version of Safari on Windows felt like a ported Mac application, Safari 4 has the look and feel of a true Windows application.
Full-Page Zoom
The lack of full-page zoom capabilities is remedied in the beta of Safari 4.
Top Score
The beta of Safari 4 scores a 100 on the Acid3 standards test.
Developer Tools
A very nice set of developer tools in the Safari 4 beta helps Web developers analyze Web pages and applications.