Apple Computer Inc. on Monday released a new beta version of its Web browser, Safari. The update brings the current version of the browser to 1.0 beta 2 (v73).
“Safari is already an incredible success, with more than 2 million downloads since its launch,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Safari has brought innovation back to the browser market and now we are making it even better.”
Besides improved stability, the new beta adds tabbed browsing, allowing users to view multiple Web pages in a tabbed format. Safari now also includes AutoFill, which allows web forms and password fields to be automatically filled out.
“AutoFill and its integration with the AddressBook shows how we are using the tools in Mac OS X and building on the platform as we grow,” Brian Croll, Apple’s senior director software, Worldwide Product Marketing, told MacCentral.
Apple enhanced integration between Safari and another Apple technology: AppleScript. The company has posted a page on its Web site giving users several free AppleScripts that can be used with Safari.
AppleScripts in the collection include Import Image Into iPhoto; Open Linked Images; Combine Windows; Open Reuters News Stories; eMail the Current URL; Create Phone List; Windows to Full Screen; and Side-By-Side.
Safari is Apple’s own implementation of a standards-compliant Web browser, built around KHTML. Billed as “the turbo browser for Mac OS X,” Safari is Apple’s solution to a long-standing problem: The slow speed of Web browsing on Mac OS X.
Safari Beta 2 introduces a new feature called “Reset Safari.” This option erases browsing history, empties the cache, clears the Downloads window, removes cookies, clears Google search entries and removes any saved names and passwords or other AutoFill text.
Croll declined to comment on a date when users could expect a final release, but he did say, “we are going to continue moving forward and when we hit all of our goals as far as features, performance and compatibility, we will be ready to call it a 1.0 release.”
Safari 1.0 beta 2 (v73) is available for download via the Software Update control panel in Mac OS X.
Update: Added information from Apple executives, AppleScript links and more general information on the release.