Wednesday, Apple announced immediate availability of a brand new browser created specifically for web developers. Safari Technology Preview, as it’s called, resembles an ordinary Safari browser with a distinctively purple app icon in the dock. With Safari Technology Preview, web developers can get their hands on improvements to WebKit and other web technologies and optimize their web code before these technologies trickle down in future releases of iOS and OS X.
“Get a sneak peek at upcoming Safari web technologies in OS X and iOS, and easily experiment with these technologies in your websites and extensions,” writes Apple.
Getting a sneak peek at upcoming web technologies
“Safari Technology Preview gives you an early look at upcoming web technologies in OS X and iOS including the latest layout technologies, visual effects, and developer tools so you may provide input on how they are implemented and deliver a best-in-class user experience on all Apple devices,” reads a notice on Apple’s website.
In addition to previewing the latest advances in HTML, JavaScript and CSS, the browser includes the most recent version of the WebKit rendering engine and the latest version of the Web Inspector and Responsive Design Mode tools for modifying, debugging and optimizing websites.
Developers can provide feedback using the built-in Bug Reporter tool and run the new browser side-by-side with the consumer version of Safari and more.
Safari Technology Preview uses iCloud so all your latest favorites, bookmarks and Reading List are available to you. It updates easily via the Mac App Store’s Updates tab every few weeks with the most recent additions and improvements to WebKit.
Safari Technology Preview release notes
The inaugural release of Safari Technology Preview comes with the following list of features listed in the official release notes that accompany the download:
Browser Differences
JavaScript Improvements
HTML Enhancements
Web Inspector Changes
Behavior Changes
You can download Safari Technology Preview atdeveloper.apple.com/safari/download/.
To stay in the loop on the latest developments in HTML, JavaScript and CSS,check out the official WebKit blog.
