I Was Bored, So I Built My Own Browser
Having opened over 100 tabs in Chrome, I decided to create a browser to solve this problem.
Jokes aside, I often have several browser windows open because I need to work with different profiles. Modern browsers offer a few features and plugins to address this, but as someone who enjoys experimenting with new things, I saw an opportunity. With the help of AI, I can build a fully functional prototype and learn about various technologies, including their development and maintenance costs.
I had some experience with iOS development, having built apps for the iPhone in my early career. However, I’d never created a desktop app. Two years ago, I might have opted for a web-based technology like Electron. However, the cost of learning new technology has significantly decreased, and I was genuinely curious to explore Flutter. Reviews suggest it can create cross-platform apps with near-native performance.
I spent a few evenings working on the browser, and I’m quite satisfied with the result. The macOS version is fast and responsive. Once I develop a Windows/Linux version, I’ll have a broader perspective, so we’ll consider Flutter as a potential stack in the future.
As for the browser, I’ve named it Moose Browser, a sidecar for you main browser. I’ve been using it for a few days now, making improvements daily. Many original UX decisions failed once I started using it.
Now, I have a great story to share with my development teams. Check the demo