Feb 08, 2023 12:00:00

iOS version Chrome and Firefox are developing their own engine

Browsers for iOS devices such as iPhone and iPad are obliged to install the rendering engine 'WebKit', and browsers such as Chrome and Firefox also support adopting WebKit only for the iOS version. Regarding this rendering engine issue on iOS, it was reported that

Chrome was planning to install its own engine, but it has become clear that Firefox is also developing its own engine. rice field.

Mozilla, Google looking ahead to the end of Apple's WebKit • The Register
https://www.theregister.com/2023/02/07/mozilla_google_apple_webkit/

The rendering engine is a screen drawing system installed in a web browser, and at the time of writing the article, there are three: ``Blink'' led by Google, ``WebKit'' led by Apple, and ``Gecko'' led by Mozilla. Seeds are mainly used. On PC and Android, each browser can be equipped with any rendering engine, but Apple obliges browsers for iOS to be equipped with WebKit, and browsers that originally have different rendering engines also use the iOS version. WebKit must be installed when releasing.

Competing developers and the community have criticized the situation in which Apple is forcing WebKit to be installed, and regulatory authorities in each country are also increasing their attention. In addition, it is expected that Apple will be ``obligated to allow rendering engines other than WebKit'' in the ``Digital Market Law'' that will be enforced in the EU in 2024. It is also clear that Google is developing Chrome for iOS with Blink instead of WebKit in response to the movement leading to the relaxation of these WebKit enforcements.

Google is developing Blink-based iOS version Chrome contrary to 'WebKit adoption forced by iOS browser application' - GIGAZINE

The move away from WebKit is also progressing in Firefox for iOS, and in October 2022, the development repository has a record of development regarding the enable/disable switch setting of `` GeckoView '', a wrapper for Gecko.

In response to the question 'Which release is this change in?' to the record above,

Laurie Marceau , Senior Software Developer at Mozilla, replied, 'It is not in a release. This is the repository It's a change for a secondary project that doesn't exist,' and hints at the existence of another project that develops an iOS version application equipped with Gecko.

As a result of an overseas media The Register contacting Mozilla, Mozilla said, ``We are only investigating the technical challenges faced by Gecko-equipped browsers when Apple's App Store policy changes.'' He stressed that there is no definite release date for Firefox for iOS with Gecko. On the other hand, Mozilla said, ``We hope that the future will allow users to freely choose browsers and rendering engines,'' and is also showing a positive attitude towards the development of Firefox for iOS with Gecko.