Russian browser "Sputnik": user reviews

Not so long ago, the Russian company Rostelecom developed its own means of Internet access in combination with a search engine. Of course, this is the browser "Sputnik". Reviews about the new software, in principle, are quite contradictory: one likes it, the other does not. Let's try to figure out what's good and what's wrong with it.

Browser "Sputnik": official presentation

So, what is the new Russian browser Sputnik? Reviews of his work on the part of the creators are trying to convince the Internet community that before him the newest system, combining both the means of access to the World Wide Web, and the search engine.

It is also alleged that this browser is designed to simplify the work on the Internet to people who are far from knowing the principles and means of access to the Network, for example, to children or pensioners. Rostelecom specialists claim that the browser is constantly saturated with new content and support for the most popular social networks. But is it really so? Let's look at the browser "Sputnik" ("Rostelecom"). Reviews about it clearly will not leave anyone indifferent. Although the company that created it, and expects a steady increase in the number of users and fans, alas, the number of downloads is a little over 50 thousand. As they say, popularization has failed, and it is absolutely not connected with the marketing strategy of developers. Rather, it refers to the application itself and to some aspects of its functioning.

Browser "Sputnik": description

Let's try to consider the novelty not biased, based on the opinion of specialists specializing in the development and testing of such software products. What is the Sputnik browser? Experts' comments, not to mention the opinion of people who tried it in practice, indicate that we have another "chromed" application.

Yes Yes exactly. It is based on the well-known browser Chromium version 41, which served as a platform for creating the same "Yandex-browser" and "Amigo." In turn, Chromium itself is based exclusively on the technologies used in one of the most powerful and popular products of Google Chrome.

That is, we must assume that the creators of "Sputnik" went the way of least resistance and cost, borrowing technology, so as not to rack their brains. On the one hand, it may be good. The browser does not seem to slow down, the opening of the pages is fast enough. On the other hand, it resembles a plagiarism used in the creation of the Sputnik browser. Feedback from users, unfortunately, only says that a copy, at least a little and recycled, turned out to be clumsy. And that's why.

Browser "Sputnik" for Windows 7 and higher: first look

Now let's try to examine the desktop version of the program. As an example, we use the browser "Sputnik" for Windows 7. We will leave the reviews in peace, but simply launch the application and look at the interface.

Frankly, nothing special. The standard panel with tabs, plus - built-in bookmarks, the content of which raises legitimate doubts about the feasibility of their availability. Well, tell me: why search for instructions for medicines, study the schedules of hot water shutdown or search for notaries by cards? Is there no other suitable search for this? But there is a weather widget and the main news.

The "My Home" tab is not the best way. It would seem that there are a lot of links, but if you look closely, it is immediately noticeable that they all have a narrow focus on topics: pharmacies, libraries, schools, shops, post offices, kindergartens, churches, etc.

With the release of the version under the G8, the interface has clearly changed to fit the system itself. Here appeared the "eight" tile, which presents the main sections of news, TV programs, weather, currency rates, electronic maps, the bookmark "My Home" and again, it is unclear why, the search section of medicines. What is it? Sensitive subject?

By the way, is it necessary to explain that the search engine does not use popular and advanced engines, but works according to its own principles? And these principles, as it turns out, are far from perfect.

Filtering search content

Moreover, filtering sites and their content even in the search section is very tough. Although in the settings, digging around, you can find changes in the level of security, still the restrictions will be such that sometimes you just can not find the right things.

Note that this is not the content filtering, but the search results. And yet: it is unclear why this setting was made outside the search engine, and in fact in the same Chrome or "Yandex-browser" to change the level of security can be directly in the search service. In general, it is inconvenient.

Ad blocking

Now one more look at the browser "Sputnik". Reviews about the system of blocking advertising are also divided. True, it's hard not to agree that the browser does a good job of filtering out too annoying advertisements, though, this thing is called "Reclamation"! Here!

But the level of settings can be changed, up to complete blocking. On the "Rutreker", taken as an example, almost everything was blocked. But there is also a rather fat minus. The fact that the browser does not allow you to install add-ons in the form of the same AdBlock Plus (and in general, any other additions, although the corresponding section in the settings there). However, judging by the feedback of users, because of this blocker, some sites do not want to open at all.

Children's mode

We pass to the so-called children's regime. Why is it interesting? When you activate it, the tab that appears when you start the browser turns into a real children's entertainment portal.

However, it is absolutely unclear why it is immediately suggested to watch all the series "Well, wait!"? On the other hand, access to some settings disappears from the menu, absolutely all resources with abstracts, social networks, torrent trackers are blocked, not to mention the rest of the content.

The child mode itself is protected by a password, which simply can not be turned off. This is an obvious plus. Apparently, this precaution was introduced solely for the reason that the browser was supposed to be installed as the main one in schools. However, as evidenced by reviews of specialists on the web, many still find ways to bypass the lock.

As for sites with dubious content, the browser relies on its own database, which includes a lot of resources. However, many experts believe (and not unfoundedly) that the list is based on the Roskomnadzor database, supplemented by what was found on the Internet in a manual mode. That is, no automation is not talking.

Settings

Finally, a few words about the settings section of the program parameters. As soon as you enter it, you immediately see a full copy of "Chrome" (this can be seen even in the address bar). If to be absolutely frank, at least for the sake of appearance it would be possible to change something.

By the way, in setting up the initial group, one of the control parameters of the "Satellite / Start" home page is specified. Why it is needed - it is not clear, because, by and large, the user can not disconnect it anyway.

As already mentioned, there is a section of extensions, but nothing can be established. So his presence in the settings is also not justified.

In the browser, as it turns out, there is also the function of creating your own account, however, as many reviews say, registration codes come as much in two months, and even later.

Overall Impression

In general, if you sum up a certain result, based on the experts and users, the results are very disappointing. Despite all the advertising moves, the popularity of Russian development is at zero. Some, evaluating the application on a 5-point scale, put a new browser almost a stake with a minus. Here, however, many do not take into account the specifics of the program, and after all, he, it must be supposed, was designed specifically for school institutions.

Then it is not difficult to guess why it has such a strict filtering of search requests, blocking of advertising and inaccessibility of many resources. However, the speed of work is clearly not lame. If to be objective, this development is suitable for children's institutions, but not for a regular user who would like to use this browser in daily work. And if you consider that he is also a state ... You understand.

By the way, the mobile version of the application was not considered here, as it is by far inferior in popularity to the desktop version. And reviews about the new browser "Sputnik" clearly do not tip the scales in his favor.