Lion Boasts Chrome OS-like Browser Mode

By Jane McEntegart
published

Apple’s newest version of OS X, OS X Lion, will include a feature that allows users quick access to the internet via a Chrome OS-like ‘browser only’ mode.

Apple has been discussing the features of OS X Lion for quite some time. However, a new, previously unmentioned feature has been uncovered by the folks over at MacRumors, and it should please those who don’t want to wait for their computer’s OS to fully boot before checking email or surfing the web. The "Restart to Safari" option appears on the user lock screen, giving you the choice to either log into your user account, or restart to Safari for instant access to the web.

Interestingly enough, the purpose of this feature is supposedly not to provide 'instant on' access to the web, or rival Google’s Chrome OS. Engadget reports that the feature ties in with Find My Mac, a security feature that helps users locate their computers if they’re misplaced or stolen. For Find My Mac to work, the computer needs to be connected to the internet. Assuming the person that has your laptop doesn’t also have your password, the ‘Restart to Safari’ option will put them online, leaving them free to mosey about the web without providing access to your files or data. It’ll also allow you to locate your computer. Nifty, eh?

Jane McEntegart
10 Comments Comment from the forums
  • ohshaq
    This feature now makes more sense & is much more useful than the Goolge's 'subset version' of PC as a browser. Now you can have both, a PC with all your data on the hard drive, hence more secure....and a quick option to browse the net. I see this feature as a selling point. I won't be surprised if this is seen on windows soon!!

    I would say, Smart move by apple. Seriously...Wonder who would want to buy a PC just to browse the net while give away security and privacy with it, when u can do way better with a bit more money. Ha!
    Reply
  • law shay
    @ohshaq : you clearly don't understand the corporate PC market, where IBM and HP charge like $4000 a year for each notebook issued to each employee. Chrome is not a consumer product but a corporate product. Consumer can use Android for sure.
    Reply
  • back_by_demand
    law shay@ohshaq : you clearly don't understand the corporate PC market, where IBM and HP charge like $4000 a year for each notebook issued to each employeeIt's not just the big OEMS, pretty much any corporate laptop with FDE or Pointsec hard drives. Honestly, some people play a few games and build their own PC at home and think they are suddenly experts or something.
    Reply
  • Aravind Aarumugam
    Heard of splash top?
    Reply
  • nebun
    are you telling me that people can't wait 20 seconds for their computer to boot up? slow down a bit people....life is passing you by
    Reply
  • makaveli316
    This whole Chrome OS-like ‘browser only’ mode is ridiculous and completely useless. Whoever think the opposite must be retarded enough to use that feature or even like it.
    Reply
  • law shay
    @back_by_demand : you are right. I'm not talking about OEMs. I'm talking about the contract service providers (and IBM and HP are among them; technically, IBM *was*).

    Chrome is for corporate users. 20 seconds boot is just one of the features. The main meat is control, which is imposed on the users by the corporates (client-side) IT departments, remote-data wipe (in case of lost of equipments) and software upgrade.

    Using Windows, software upgrade is so painful. Corporates won't use Macs, unless it is a creative corporate. Linux is so far fetch. That's why there is Chrome.
    Reply
  • Benihana
    I'm guessing it's not really a "restart to safari" option, as that would be kind of pointless. The system is already up and running, why bother rebooting into a browser only when safari is right there anyways? Rather, it's probably an option at boot-time.
    Reply
  • fir_ser
    Interesting feature, hope to see a similar one in windows 8.
    Reply
  • DSpider
    Do you also set up the connection settings from the browser ? Come on...

    And it doesn't seem like a significant boot speed difference to me. Loading the browser means you have to load the video drivers first. And to get to that part you usually have to load the entire OS (or at least a very big chunk of it). So the extra 5% that's not loaded is probably the equivalent of something like 3 seconds with an SSD and a fast CPU.

    Hey, Apple, if you're really serious about locating them laptops you should add a hardware lojack integrated to the motherboard instead.
    Reply