Metro Browser1.1

Metro Browser was designed as a clone of Internet Explorer 10, the Metro version. While it lacks a few exclusive features that we’ve seen in Microsoft’s browser, the program can be launched on operating systems other than Windows 8, which is not possible with IE 10 Metro.

General considerations

A typical Windows 8 installation comes with IE 10, which is made available in two editions: desktop - which follows the classic trend in what Internet navigation is concerned, and Metro – a less conventional approach that runs in the popular Metro style.On the downside, users of operating systems other than Windows 8 are not able to enjoy the novelty brought by the modern navigator. Nonetheless, a part of the feel characteristic to IE 10 (metro mode) can be experienced with the help of Metro Browser.

Summary of its features

Much like Microsoft’s browser, this one adopts a Metro appearance and launches in full screen, with a collection of shortcuts to the most popular sites, such as Facebook, YouTube, Google and so on. However, when clicked, these are launched in the desktop version of the browser.In order to navigate to a certain address, you have to hover the mouse over the top area of the screen, at which point you will be offered a field for entering the URL you wish to visit. It is also possible to write the address with the aid of the built-in virtual keyboard.Other features include a search function, shortcuts to Google and Gmail, a bookmark manager, as well as a history viewer, where you can see a list of the websites visited in the past.

Comparison with IE 10

Compared to Microsoft’s release, Metro Browser shows a list of deficits, the most important of which is the lack of a tabbed approach, which restricts you to visit only one website at a time. Moreover, there are some shortcomings related to navigation, as sometimes it is not possible to go back from a site to the main screen.

Final thoughts

Metro Browser lacks in many aspects and despite resembling IE 10 Metro in some ways, it’s still not the real deal. The best it can do is to provide a preview of what the original navigator looks like, without delivering the full set of features provided by Microsoft.