Out of nowhere, Amazon has entered the Indian market with its very first mobile browser for Android called ‘Internet’. The app claims to be light in size, and most importantly, and not collect your browser data.
The app was first spotted by the guys at TechCrunch, and we haven’t heard anything from the Amazon team yet. It does look like a low-key launch of the app, which according to the Play Store listing, has been around since 20 March, almost a month now. The listing also confirms that the maker of the app resides with Amazon Mobile LLC in Seattle.
At a time when Facebook and Google have been repeatedly questioned for their privacy infringement into users’ data and feeding them for their business purposes, Amazon could be looking to spread its wing in this domain at the right moment.
The Internet app will be compatible with devices running on Android 5.0 Lollipop or above. Multiple users have commented on its bare-bone design, similar to that of UC Browser. Unlike Google Chrome, it’s quite likely that the Internet app wouldn’t require users to sign in, which explains the privacy part.
Here are some of the features listed about Amazon’s Internet:
Features of Internet
- Sized at 2MB, Internet would consume less data
- It won’t ask for permission or collect private data of the users
- Website visited are not recorded on the phone
- Offers update on news, sports and entertainment.
It’s interesting that Amazon is eyeing the mobile browser space in India, and its timing matches up with what we have seen from Google lately. Lite apps in a market like India ensure users migrating from feature phone to smart, internet-enabled Android devices, get the best of what’s on offer.
Also, don’t forget, not tracking your web history is likely to make sure that your Amazon shopping ads don’t get flooded across the web browser.
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