Five Mac Apps with Unique Web Browser Implementations

We all know what a web browser is. After all, if you’re reading this post, you’re using one right now. But a web browser isn’t limited to simply browsing content on the world wide web. Here are five unique web browser implementations that may change the way you think about your online experience.

LittleSnapper

littlesnapper-icon.pngLittleSnapper is a new screen/web capture app with a built in browser that lets you take smart snaps of embedded web elements. Just hover over different areas in a loaded web page and page elements will highlight for you to capture. LittleSnapper will also manage your web snaps so they’re easy to find in the future.

Download LittleSnapper. It’s 39 USD. The demo limits you to 15 images.

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Songbird

songbird-icon.pngSongbird is an iTunes-like music jukebox app without Apple’s music store. In its place is a built in browser which lets you load up music blogs and play all the embedded mp3s without clicking on any links in the page. It probably won’t replace iTunes as your primary media management app, but it’s an excellent way to discover new music.

Download Songbird. It’s freeware.

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Fluid

fluid-icon.pngFluid is an SSB or Site Specific Browser. Have some Web 2.0 sites that you visit everyday? Configure fluid to handle your browsing of these sites and your experience will feel much more like you are using a desktop application. Fluid also has a Cover Flow mode so you can preview all the links on sites like Digg or Reddit.

Download Fluid. It’s freeware.

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CSSEdit

cssedit-icon.pngCSSEdit’s built in browser was a game changer for me. Open up any web page in CSSEdit and you can not only view its CSS – you can edit it. The browser supports live updating of all the changes you make in the style sheet so you’re never editing blindly.

Download CSSEdit. It’s 30 Euros (about 40 USD). There’s an unlimited trial with the ability to save removed.

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TubeTV

tubetv-icon.pngTubeTV lets you search YouTube and download videos in an iTunes friendly format. It’s not the most beautiful app, but it’s probably the simplest way to get your favorite vids ready for watching on the go.

Download TubeTV. It’s freeware.

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Know another application with a unique web browser implementation? Share it with us in the comments. And don’t forget to subscribe to the RSS feed to keep up the the latest and greatest on MacMembrane.

6 Responses to Five Mac Apps with Unique Web Browser Implementations

  1. artifact
    January 2nd, 2009 at 9:51 pm

    Hi, this is artifact from Twitter.

    Thanks for the post. Songbird and Fluid are new to me, and seem worthy of giving a try.

    LittleSnapper also looks great, but have you tried Skitch and Evernote? They, in a combo, can do similar jobs as LittleSnapper does, and they both are freeware.

    Nice blog, I am following

  2. artifact
    January 2nd, 2009 at 9:59 pm

    Sorry for the strange comment I made. (there is no edit or delete comment option.)
    Nice blog with great tips and AppeScripts. Subscribed your feed and will drop in and read past posts. :-)

  3. Peter
    January 3rd, 2009 at 12:40 am

    Hi artifact.

    I’ve never really gotten into Skitch, although it’s been recommended to me more than once. Evernote also looks amazing, but the trouble with the program (I think I heard this on the Mac Roundtable podcast) is that all content you put into Evernote is formatted in their own proprietary format, the practical implication of which is that it’s difficult to get it off again. And if Evernote one day disappears, so does your data. (Please correct me if I’m wrong about the formatting issue.)

    I admit that LittleSnapper is a bit expensive for a screenshot management app, but it really does look great. I haven’t myself shelled out the cash for it yet, but I am considering it.

    No need to apologize for the comment. I thought it was quite useful. And thanks for the kind words about the blog.

  4. Ben
    February 6th, 2009 at 7:00 pm

    Am checking out TubeTV now, there’s a similar app call MacTubes http://brpg.hp.infoseek.co.jp/mactubes/index_en.html

    Thanks for the list!

  5. Peter
    February 6th, 2009 at 7:13 pm

    @Ben: I just found MacTubes myself and am giving it a go, although I watch most of my YouTube through Boxee these days. MacTubes doesn’t fit quite as nicely on this list, but from playing with it for some time I can see it’s a much better app than TubeTV (despite a few bugs).

    Thanks for the comment and the link. (Also, I grabbed the RSS feed for your blog. Cheers.)

  6. Ben
    February 6th, 2009 at 7:18 pm

    Yeah I agree, MacTV is not perfect, also not very elegant but it gets the job done. I think the ultimate app for downloading YouTube, and videos from other similar video services is Web 2 Delight. http://www.globaldelight.com/web2delight/w2d_overview.html

Think different?