Developer George Brocklehurst has released the final, stable version of Choosy 1.0 for Mac OS X. The pref pane app allows users to open different links in different browsers, based on their own criteria. Choosy boasts a warm interface displaying all their browsers, just the ones running, or both, in solid and transparent views. The software can be used free of charge for 45 days.

Similar in functionality to Helium Foot Software's Highbrow, Choosy opens links in the right browser. “When you click on a link Choosy will do the right thing, whether that's something simple (like using whatever browser is already running) or something complex (like prompting you to pick a browser, but only when you hold down the shift key and click on a link to google.com),” the developer explains.

“I've received a lot of great feedback from beta testers (thank you!) and many people have requested the same features, so I've got a pretty good idea where Choosy should be going over the next few versions,” Brocklehurst adds on the choosyosx website.

Currently, Choosy lets you determine which browsers to use, from a list of all your installed browsers, as well as tweak behavior settings, like the ability to use the best running browser, prompt to select from all of them or just your running ones, display browser icons in a row or in a circle (as shown in the screenshots below), and more. Planned features include a plugin architecture, browser plugins and translation into multiple languages.

Choosing a browser in row view (screenshot #1) or in circle view (screenshots #2 and #3).

Notice Firefox and Opera solid icons (running browsers)

“The list of languages has not been finalised,” the developer asserts, “but it will probably include German, Swedish and Brazilian Portuguese. If you want to help with translation let me know, there's a free copy of Choosy in it for you.”

Choosy supports Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard only. “Unfortunately Tiger support is no longer viable,” Brocklehurst sadly informs OS X 10.4 users. “There were some very compelling reasons to use Leopard-specific features in version 0.9.3. Apologies to any Tiger users who had been hoping to see support.”

Priced at $12, Choosy is available for immediate download using the link below. The software runs in trial mode for 45 days with all its features enabled (no restrictions for a month and a half!).

Download Choosy (Update / Trial / Buy)