UC Browser

The web browser uses page compression with proxy servers and special settings to optimize speed. UC browser is able to adapt to the conditions of various networks and supports multi-loading of files of various formats. The browser has HTML5-enabled web applications and cloud synchronization.

UC browser is available for all types of smartphones and other mobile platforms, however, users of the Android version constitute the largest part of the user audience (100 million of 400 million users) ^[8] .

UC +: HTML5, WebApp, and Add-ons

In July 2013, UCWeb announced an open UC + platform consisting of the WebApp Store web application store, add-ons and a bookmark service. The launch took place with the release of version 9.2 of UC Browser for Android. There is an SDK for developing applications, a QR code for sites, allowing users to bookmark them ^{[4] [5] [9]} .

Download Management

Download manager for all files, including pages for offline reading. Stop and resume downloads. Continuing the download after closing the browser in the background. ^{[10] [11] [12]}

Data compression

Since 2006, UC Browser has been using data compression with developer proxy servers ^[13] . The data is distributed among the nearest servers, so the download process is faster, easier and more stable, content is optimized for mobile device screens and pages with video, images and text for offline viewing are cached (this mode is called “See later”) ^[14] . This feature greatly speeds up the speed of loading sites, videos, etc.

Ad-block

UC Browser has an integrated ad-block feature that the user can disable if desired. Ad-block blocks advertising of various formats (videos, banners, etc.) on websites, as well as when connecting to wi-fi in some public places.

Social networks

With the help of UC Browser you can share information on social networks. ^[15]

Known deficiencies and limitations

• The maximum number of open tabs is 20 (in the mobile version).
• Despite the fact that the browser is also available for iPhone users, only the Android version of the application is being actively developed and improved in Russia.
• Some groups in the social network Vkontakte browser specifically blocks and does not allow viewing. At the same time, he gives a message that the group is blocked by the decision of the Rospotrebnadzor. This applies only to those groups that are recognized as extremist.
• Maxima Telecom has prohibited its users from accessing the Internet through the UC Browser without giving any reason. According to some data, this may be due to the fact that the browser does not guarantee complete confidentiality for its users, and there were restrictions in the browser related to the impact on the authorization system.

The company announced its “Going Glocal” strategy in 2012. By providing different versions in English , Russian , Indonesian , Vietnamese and other languages, the company hopes to improve the service for the constantly growing international audience of users. ^[16] Moreover, the company uses its own server to customize content for users around the world. According to CEO Jonfu Yu, in addition to technical issues, the company also addresses local designers and experts to adapt to local culture and tastes. ^[17] The UC browser logo was changed in December 2012 from an anime style squirrel to an abstract and stylized icon. ^[18]

UCWeb customized its browser for Vodafone’s Indian customers in May 2013. ^[19]

In May 2013, UCWeb announced a partnership with Trend Micro. In accordance with the agreement, both companies will work to improve the protection of mobile traffic in the browser. ^[20]

In August 2013, the UC browser provided distribution channels to companies such as the AppURL Initiative. ^[21]

In August 2013, UCWeb received exclusive rights to sell Gameloft’s games on the Chinese market. ^[22]

• Best Mobile Browser 2011 (on iPad / iPhone) - About.com ^[23]
• Best Android Browser 2012 - About.com ^[24]
• Red Herring 2012 - Asia Top 100 Awards ^[25]

By the end of 2012, the UC browser reached 400 million active users ^[26] , consisting of the largest user base in China (34.83% in July 2013, according to StatCounter ^[27] ) and a rapidly growing audience in the Indian market. In October 2012, UC Browser for the first time beat Opera in the category of free apps on Google Play in India. ^[28] According to StatCounter, a web analytics company, UC browser surpassed Opera in the top mobile browsers in India with 32.82% of the market versus 26.91% of Opera. ^[29] In mid-November 2015, the UC browser became the most popular third-party browser for Android in Russia with a daily number of users in the amount of 2.3 million people ^[30] . In April 2015, a version of UC Browser for Windows- based computers appeared ^[31] . This browser has quickly gained popularity among users and is currently in fourth place in the Russian market.

• UC Browser official website
• Anton Pecherov. An overview of Internet browsers for Java-enabled phones (Unc.) . MForum (November 6, 2009). The circulation date is June 1, 2010. Archived March 21, 2012.
• Anton Pecherov. Soft mix # 3: UC Browser and other useful applications (Unc.) . MForum (January 21, 2011). The date of circulation is January 21, 2011. Archived March 21, 2012.
• UC Browser on AndroLib.com