The Omni Group has released a public beta version of OmniWeb 5.5, their Web browser for Mac OS X. The new release is a Universal binary that runs natively on Intel and PowerPC-based Macs and sports myriad enhancements. It’s available for download from their Web site.
OmniWeb 5.5 is based on a “slightly customized version of WebKit,” according to The Omni Group. WebKit is an application framework developed by Apple that serves as the basis for Safari itself. OmniWeb’s developers note that this allows the browser to have “greatly improved website compatibility, speed and stability.”
Other enhancements in OmniWeb 5.5 include the ability to save pages in the WebArchive format; a global and site preference for user-defined style sheets; use of the Unified Toolbar; and a warning when you try to reload a page using POST.
Numerous bug fixes have also been made. As a beta release, this version is still in development and The Omni Group lists a number of known issues.
OmniWeb will run in demonstration mode for 30 days unless it’s licensed; an OmniWeb 5 license costs $29.95 (OmniWeb 5.5 is a free update for registered 5 users).
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