We’ve been surfing the web as it were for almost 30 years, from Netscape to AOL to Google to Firefox, browsers have been part and parcel to our lives in the information era. But maybe times are a-changin’. Smartphones are universally accepted as the main source of communication and information these days, and since the emergence of apps in 2007, typing in URLs and opening tabs could be heading towards obsolescence… feel old yet? This brings us on to our review for this week: Firework - the new app-based browser that sits comfortably at the bottom of your screen and allows you quick access to your preferred websites, in the form of desktop-friendly apps. Neat!

It’s important to mention that Firework is only available on Windows, so any OS X users (like ourselves)… sorry this isn't for you just yet, but we hope this changes in the near-future. There is a free version, but for those of you with greater needs - there is a paid subscription for £6.54 a month or £435 as a one-off payment, and these provide greater access (see image below). 

To get Firework, use your traditional browser and go to their website and download the latest version, then install. Once in, you need to create an account and you will be provided some basic apps that Firework includes, such as Pocket, Facebook Messenger, Word Online and Soundcloud (an odd selection in our opinion) but hey ho this is just a starting point! Firework so far appears to be customisable, but more personalised customisation comes with the paid subscriptions. To add your own apps, click the blue + icon and type the url into the pop-up box and hey presto, a modified app included in Firework perfect for your desktop. You can only use one app at a time which is a shame.

From our own experience, we feel the basic access to the service is enough, the only benefits we feel are worth the paid subscription is the browser tabs, as the other features are more cosmetic. We can’t tell you the last time we had one web page open at a time! Other than the Firework window on your desktop, there isn’t much else to discuss for the browser other than there is a support service available on their website. Definitely still in its infancy but we’re under no illusions that Firework or services like it will be the browsers of tomorrow. 

All in all, Firework is a simple and ultimately decent tool, if not somewhat underwhelming. However, it’s quick, stylish enough and definitely the first steps towards a very good idea. We hope to see more of them down the line

Firework, you get 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼/5!