Windows Phone 7 Gets Metro Web Browser

Browser Plus was the first third-party web browser that Microsoft approved for its new Windows Phone 7 operating system, and a new such solution is now available for download from the Windows Phone Marketplace, namely the Metro Web Browser.

The new application, a full-screen web browser, was already added to the Marketplace, with fast navigation capabilities, a wide range of customization options, and more.

According to its developers, the new Metro Web Browser should be able to offer 24 percent more screen real estate than Internet Explorer when in portrait orientation.

Some of the main features of the application include:

- Orientation lock enables you to force portrait or landscape browsing
- Google-powered "lightweight mode" that optimizes desktop-designed pages for your phone
- Privacy mode
- Powerful auto-completion, powered by Google or Bing
- Supports running under the lock screen for a fast return from interruptions
- Choose from built-in themes or design your own! For example, you can force the app to a light theme while your phone has the dark theme applied, or you can skin the app with your school colors
- Manage favorites, recent pages, and frequently-visited sites easily
- Customize the interaction between full-screen browsing and the "actions screen." Change the position and appearance of the actions button (a standard arrow vs. a page curl), or even shake your phone to swap modes!

The browser also offers support for an unlimited number of tabs, which can be easily managed. Moreover, the application can be used both in landscape and portrait orientations, with full-screen browsing and full functionality in either situation.

The application was designed to enable users perform various searches over the Internet, either through Bing or Google, both of which were integrated to the URL box, while also providing them with the possibility to easily search for applications in the app portal.

The browser was added to the Windows Phone Marketplace with a price tag of $1.99 attached to it, though a free trial is also available for download, with limited functionality and ad supported.