A Web Browser for Mac with 10M+ Users Monthly
About Our Client
The Client is a software company providing solutions for a richer web-surfing experience, free of excessive reliance on third-party applications. Its products help users socialize and manage media content both online and offline.
Challenge
Understanding users' frustration with juggling numerous media apps and services, the Client conceived an all-in-one web browser tailored to music lovers, video fans, and people with an active online presence. INNERLUXES's task was to create a Mac version of the browser and implement an update system for Windows and Mac. Further challenges included a user-friendly, highly customizable auto-update subsystem and a way to manage torrents directly from the browser.
Solution
The project team initially comprised six seasoned developers, with the total work log reaching 220 weeks. Over this time, the team successfully adapted the Chromium-based browser for Mac and built a custom Mac installer.
To keep the browser current, the team implemented an update system and an auto-update subsystem for Windows and Mac.
One of the product's standout features is the ability to support and manage torrent downloads directly in the browser, with fast speeds and an intuitive interface. Another is a single access point integrating all major social networks and content-sharing platforms, with the Client's designated music service integrated via add-ons and web and desktop apps.
INNERLUXES also created a special Launcher for Windows that lets users instantly reach their favorite bookmarks, page-view history, and frequently visited pages from the desktop in a single click.
Results
The product has shipped several releases with all required features implemented. After two years, a team of five specialists continues to improve the user experience and performance with regular updates and new features. The browser now competes among market leaders with more than 10 million monthly active users.
Technologies and Tools
The Chromium browser framework was extensively customized and extended with C++ libraries such as libtorrent-rasterbar, cryptographic tools such as Crypto++ and OpenSSL, and HTML/JavaScript for internal pages. A Windows Service and a Mac Daemon were developed for the product's auto-update subsystem. The project runs on a Time & Materials model with Agile methodology to stay flexible to the Client's changing needs.