The Sputnik website is a program for searching, collecting information, monitoring news, media, social networks, mentions in news (system, tool)

Sputnik browser: official introduction

So, what is the new Russian Sputnik browser? Reviews of its work from the creators are trying to convince the Internet community that this is a new system that combines both a means of accessing the World Wide Web and a search engine.

It is also stated that this browser is designed to simplify the work on the Internet for people who are completely far from knowing the principles and means of accessing the Internet, for example, children or pensioners. Rostelecom specialists claim to constantly saturate the browser with new content and support the most popular social networks. But is this really so? Let's look at the Sputnik browser itself (Rostelecom). Reviews about him will clearly not leave anyone indifferent. Although the company that created it expects a constant increase in the number of users and fans, alas, the number of downloads is just over 50 thousand. As they say, the popularization failed, and this has absolutely nothing to do with the developers’ marketing strategy. Rather, it refers to the application itself and some aspects of its functioning.

Browser Satellite

Sputnik Browser is a new browser for Windows 7-10 from Rostelecom programmers. Thanks to its optimized search and user-friendly appearance, Sputnik has become the first Russian browser that can compete with many globally popular analogues.

Among the many functions of the web browser are the following:

ad blocking;

Trojan protection;

the ability to add individual browser pages to offline mode. This mode allows you to read a previously selected page without an Internet connection;

the ability to install additional widgets and themes. Thus, any user will be able to adapt the program interface to their needs;

system for quick access to bookmarks;

if the Sputnik browser is installed on your PC or laptop and simultaneously on your smartphone/tablet, you can synchronize all bookmarks in real time;

built-in services are small utilities that make it easier to search the Internet.

You can add the necessary applications for the program using the store.

Among the free services available, there are those that will tell you the phone numbers of most government organizations, pharmacies, hospitals, addresses of shopping centers and nearby cafes.

Security Guarantee

One of the main advantages of the Sputnik browser is guaranteed safe surfing on the Internet. Thanks to the advanced security algorithm, the browser does not allow malicious content and various advertising banners to pass through. Almost all unwanted advertising is blocked thanks to the extension built into the program.

Developers regularly release updated versions of the browser that are capable of blocking new advertisements that use new extension bypass algorithms.

Sputnik not only effectively removes unwanted advertising, but also automatically detects malicious content and closes the web page. A special database from which the browser constantly receives information monitors new types of viruses and Trojans that can harm your device.

Unlike many popular viewers, the version of Sputnik for smartphones has the ability to switch to “Incognito” mode. In this mode, the user can freely enter logins and passwords on sites. They will not be remembered. Also, surfing in Incognito mode allows you to hide your location and IP address.

Other features of Sputnik

In addition to the main functions, you can also enable children's mode . It can be activated using the main menu. You must then select a password for administrator access.

This operating mode will prevent adult content from loading while your child is using the browser. You can also add individual sites to the list of prohibited downloads and configure the time your child works in the program.

the voice input function , the user can instantly find an answer to his search query on the Internet. This function is convenient to use while traveling in a car, because you do not need to stop working with the device. You just need to turn on “Sputnik” and say the search query.

The Sputnik browser is an easy-to-use software product. Thanks to the presence of different operating modes, each user will be able to customize the program depending on their preferences. Customizable themes complement the standard interface and visually adapt it to the user.

Sputnik browser: description

Let's try to consider the new product without bias, based on the opinion of specialists specializing in the development and testing of this kind of software products. What is the Sputnik browser? Reviews from experts, not to mention the opinions of people who have tried it in practice, indicate that this is yet another “Chrome-like” application.

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

That is, one must assume that the creators of Sputnik took the path of least resistance and cost, borrowing technology so as not to rack their brains. On the one hand, this may be good. The browser does not seem to slow down, opening pages is quite fast. On the other hand, this is reminiscent of some kind of plagiarism used to create the Sputnik browser. User reviews, unfortunately, only say that the copy, although slightly revised, turned out to be clumsy. And that's why.

⇡#"Rambler/Browser"

Developer: Rambler Product website: soft.rambler.ru/browser

A browser for the Windows platform, “in development” since 2011 and in its maiden name bore the name “Nichrome”. We put the word “under development” in quotes because over the 7 years of its existence this web browser has not changed at all and, judging by the copyrights, the current “Rambler/Browser” is a build of Chromium 30.0 from - attention! — June 27, 2013. Can you imagine how many “holes” and vulnerabilities there are in it? This is despite the fact that it positions its product as “fast and safe.”

"Rambler/Browser" can be safely called a rare Internet browser

One can, of course, assume that Rambler/Browser implements some unique technologies and wonderful functions. But there is none of this: there is only a bookmarks bar stuffed with links to Rambler services and a pre-configured address bar that redirects the user’s search queries to the Rambler search engine supervised by the company. All this indicates that the browser was compiled from Chromium sources in a hurry solely for the sake of it. There is no way to develop software products with such a philosophy.

The Rambler/Browser installer is confused in its readings and pretends to be a Google Chrome installer during installation

Sputnik browser for Windows 7 and higher: first look

Now let's try to look at the desktop version of the program. As an example, we use the Sputnik browser for Windows 7. Let’s leave the reviews alone for now, but just launch the application and look at the interface.

Frankly speaking, nothing special. A standard panel with tabs, plus built-in bookmarks, the content of which raises legitimate doubts about the advisability of their presence. Well, tell me: why search for instructions for medications, study hot water shutdown schedules, or look for notaries using maps? Are there really no other suitable topics to search for? But there is a weather widget and the main news.

The “My Home” tab doesn’t look the best either. It would seem that there are a lot of links, but if you take a closer look, you will immediately notice that they all have a narrow focus on the topic: pharmacies, libraries, schools, shops, post offices, kindergartens, churches, etc.

With the release of the G8 version, the interface has clearly changed to match the system itself. Here a “figure eight” tile has appeared, which presents the main sections of news, TV programs, weather, exchange rates, electronic maps, the “My Home” tab and again, for some unknown reason, a medicine search section. What is this? 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.

Sputnik browser extensions

The satellite browser is suitable for extensions created for the Google Chrome browser, which are available in the Chrome Online Store. The satellite blocks the installation of extensions from the store, citing the fact that they have not been verified. Only a few extensions that have been tested and approved by Sputnik are available for installation in the browser. Frankly speaking, there is practically nothing to choose from.

You can select an extension in the Chrome store, and after blocking the installation, submit a request for approval of this extension.

Search content filtering

Moreover, filtering of sites and their content, even in the search section, is very strict. Although you can dig around in the settings and find changes in the security level, there will still be such restrictions that sometimes you simply won’t find the things you need.

Please note that this is not filtering content, but rather search results. And one more thing: it is unclear why this setting was moved outside the search engine, but in the same Chrome or Yandex browser you can change the security level directly in the search service. In general, it's inconvenient.

Ad blocking

Now another look at the Sputnik browser. Reviews of the ad blocking system are also divided. True, it’s hard not to agree that the browser does a good job of filtering out too intrusive advertisements, however, this thing is called “Advertising Diverter”! Here!

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

Kids mode

Let's move on to the so-called children's mode. Why is he interesting? When activated, the tab that appears when the browser starts turns into a real children's entertainment portal.

True, it is absolutely incomprehensible why it is immediately suggested to watch all the episodes of “Well, wait a minute!”? On the other hand, access to some settings is lost from the menu, absolutely all resources with abstracts, social networks, torrent trackers, not to mention other content are blocked.

The children's mode itself is protected by a password, which cannot be easily disabled. This is a clear plus. Apparently, such a precaution was introduced solely for the reason that the browser was supposed to be installed as the main browser in schools. However, as evidenced by reviews from experts on the Internet, many still find ways to bypass the blocking.

As for sites with dubious content, the browser relies on its own database, which contains quite a lot of resources. However, many experts believe (and not without reason) that the list is based on the Roskomnadzor database, supplemented by what was found manually on the Internet. That is, we are not talking about any automation.

Advantages and disadvantages of Sputnik Browser

+ easy to download and install; + smart search bar; + intuitive interface; + effective blocking of advertising, spam, pornography, virus sites; + there is a mobile version; - with rare exceptions, it is not possible to install extensions.

Key Features

• easy access to information on the Internet;
• Can be installed on computers, tablets and phones;
• quick access to websites of government services and social organizations;
• protection from possible online threats and advertising;
• children's mode. You can exit it only with a password;
• Increased protection of browser settings.

*Attention! When downloading the standard installer, you will need a pre-installed archiver, you can find it here

Settings

Finally, a few words about the program settings section. As soon as you enter it, you immediately see a complete copy of Chrome (this is visible even in the address bar). To be completely frank, at least for the sake of appearance, something could be changed.

By the way, in the initial group settings one of the control parameters of the initial page “Satellite/Start” is specified. Why it is needed here is unclear, because, by and large, the user cannot disable it anyway.

As already mentioned, there is an extensions section, but nothing can be installed. So its presence in the settings is also not justified.

The browser also, as it turns out, also has a function for creating your own account, however, as numerous reviews say, registration codes arrive as early as two months, or even later.

General impression

In general, if we sum it up based on the considerations of specialists and users, the results are very disappointing. Despite all the advertising moves, the popularity of the Russian development is at zero. Some, evaluating the application’s performance on a 5-point scale, give the new browser almost a score with a minus. Here, however, many do not take into account the specifics of the program, but it must be assumed that it was developed specifically for school institutions.

Then it’s not hard to guess why it has such strict filtering of search queries, blocking of ads and inaccessibility of many resources. However, the speed of work is clearly not too bad. To be objective, this development is suitable specifically for children's institutions, but not for the average user who would like to use this browser in everyday work. And if you consider that it is also state-owned... You understand.

By the way, the mobile version of the application was not considered here, since it is clearly inferior in popularity to the desktop one. And reviews of the new Sputnik browser clearly do not tip the scales in its favor.