First Look: AT&T testing new 3D Pogo browser

updated 05:20 pm EDT, Thu April 3, 2008

 

AT&T Pogo 3D browser


Unveiled last week, the Business Development group of AT&T is (privately) beta testing a new 3-D browser that offers a unique visual interface for browsing the Internet. Dubbed Pogo, this new browser is based on the Mozilla code base (the same as FireFox). Not only does this allow AT&T to rely on a stable foundation, but it also ensures that Pogo maintains Web page compatibility equal to other Mozilla-based browsers. As a result, whatever features Firefox 3.0 contains, Pogo will automatically inherit as well.

While traditional browsers identify and organize Web pages as text, Pogo identifies and organizes Web pages based on the concept of a “cell,” which displays a visual representation of its contents. Pogo uses cells to display thumbnail images of bookmarks, tabs, and history lists using a graphics engine that creates the 3-D visual interface.


Pogo displays saved Web pages as thumbnail images


The program includes a built-in search text box linked to Google, a privacy mode, and a snapback feature similar to Safari. Upon installation, Pogo lets you choose to install pre-built collections (bookmarks) of popular sites such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, or Yahoo!


Installing Pogo lets you choose to include a collection of popular Web sites


The Pogo beta test is currently by invitation only, but will be available to the general public shortly. The program requires a 1GHz processor and a 256MB graphics card for optimum performance, although it can run on systems with a slower processor or less capable graphics card.

AT&T plans to release Pogo for free with a revenue model that partly includes advertising, premium content, and partnership with other companies. Initially Pogo is targeted to Windows users but AT&T eventually plans to release a Macintosh and Linux version based on the success and acceptance of Pogo.

Electronista has a
First Look at the new Pogo browser.


By Electronista Staff

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computers, software, mozilla, browser, AT&T
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Previous Comments

  1. Rezzz

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2006

    0

    omg..

    it's macosx in a browser..

    coverflow rip..

    dock rip..

    iTunes rip..

    bleh.. how g**.


  1. 64stang06

    Mac Elite

    Joined: Aug 2007

    0

    re:omg..

    And yet, Windows only.


  1. Guest

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 1999

    0

    AT&T Software?

    I find it interesting that AT&T, a telecommunications company, is working on a Web Browser.... Since when are they a software company?


  1. ZinkDifferent

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2005

    0

    Oh, how drol...

    ... a completely useless product, that will be rendered even more useless by integrating an advertising revenue model..

    ...and I would want to use this, exactly, why?

    I bet they will push this on to Yahoo, where it will fit right at home with all the other advertising rammed down user's throat..


  1. Guest

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 1999

    0

    re. AT&T Software

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_Labs


  1. Durandalus

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2001

    0

    Dunno,

    but it's essentially about displaying tabs, history and bookmarks as images instead of as text. Omniweb already does this for tabs and we all know that the "Flip3D" concept collapses as soon as you're trying to deal with more than 5 items. So, a nice idea but not a big thing and only good for some eyecandy.


  1. himself

    Mac Elite

    Joined: Jan 2002

    0

    gecko?

    I love Mozilla, it is a great browser and all... but they should've gone with WebKit. The WebKit engine is on fire right now, and is ahead of the other engines by leaps and bounds (and its crossplatform, to boot). Either way, I don't see the need for this product -- but I'm sure AT&T may have a bigger plan for this that may or may not pan out.


  1. danviento

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Dec 2005

    0

    and why?

    What purpose does displaying information like this serve? It wouldn't make browsing any faster, unless they can have individual sites represented by images, and even then you couldn't really see much of the image.

    It looks like it'll waste your time and just be chalked up as so much more eye candy. When Apple changes the interface to look better, there's an underlying concept of improving functionality and ergonomics (or whatever the offcial word is refering to software interfaces). "Pogo" strikes me as another Vista- trying to copy the look of OS X without the functionality.

    If people's continuing use of Explorer is any indicator, they aren't likely to change browsers just for a better looking interface. In it's current form, I'd call this product a flop.


  1. kerryb

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

    0

    if it were g**...

    If it were g** as one of you mentioned it would probably be better looking.


  1. MatildeMatilde

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Feb 2008

    0

    You know...

    AT&T created the direct ancestor of Mac OS X, back in 1969. Without AT&T, we might all be running Windows.


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