Apple has recently unveiled Safari Technology Preview 187, the latest update to the experimental browser they introduced in March 2016. This preview version serves as a testing ground for new features that may be incorporated into future releases of Safari. The new update offers significant bug fixes and performance enhancements, covering areas such as Accessibility, Animations, CSS, Forms, Rendering, Scrolling, Storage, SVG, Web API, and WebGL. The good news is that this update is compatible with macOS Ventura and the latest macOS Sonoma. Apple encourages both developers and users to provide feedback on this browser development process, as Safari Technology Preview can be run alongside the existing Safari browser without requiring a developer account.
Safari Technology Preview 187 Update
Overview
Apple has released Safari Technology Preview 187, the latest update for its experimental browser. Safari Technology Preview, introduced in March 2016, allows Apple to test out new features that may be included in future versions of Safari. The 187 update brings several bug fixes and performance improvements across various areas of the browser.
Compatibility
The Safari Technology Preview 187 release is compatible with macOS Ventura and macOS Sonoma, the most recent version of macOS released by Apple in September 2023. This ensures that users with the latest macOS can take advantage of the new features and improvements offered in the update.
Release Notes
For more details about the specific changes and updates included in Safari Technology Preview 187, users can refer to the release notes available on the Safari Technology Preview website. These notes provide a comprehensive overview of the bug fixes, performance improvements, and any other notable changes that have been made in this update.
Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements
Accessibility
In Safari Technology Preview 187, Apple has addressed various accessibility issues to enhance the browsing experience for users who rely on accessibility features. By improving the accessibility of the browser, Apple aims to ensure that all users can navigate and interact with web content seamlessly.
Animations
Animations play a crucial role in creating engaging and visually appealing web experiences. With the 187 update, Safari Technology Preview introduces fixes and improvements to animations, allowing web developers to create smoother and more immersive animations within their websites and applications.
CSS
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) are essential for web design, enabling developers to control the appearance and layout of web pages. In this update, Safari Technology Preview 187 includes CSS-related fixes and enhancements, providing better compatibility and rendering of CSS styles, ultimately resulting in more consistent and visually pleasing web designs.
Forms
Forms are a fundamental component of web applications, allowing users to input data and interact with websites. The 187 update addresses issues related to forms, ensuring that they function correctly and provide a seamless user experience. These improvements enhance the reliability and usability of web forms across Safari Technology Preview.
Rendering
Rendering refers to the process of displaying web content on the screen. In Safari Technology Preview 187, Apple has made optimizations to the rendering engine, resulting in faster and more efficient rendering of web pages. This leads to improved overall performance and responsiveness when browsing websites.
Scrolling
Smooth scrolling is essential for a comfortable browsing experience. To enhance scrolling performance, Safari Technology Preview 187 includes fixes and enhancements to ensure that scrolling is fluid and responsive. These improvements make navigating through long web pages or documents much more enjoyable.
Storage
Web storage allows websites to store data locally on the user’s device. With the 187 update, Apple has addressed issues related to web storage, improving overall data management and storage capabilities within Safari Technology Preview. These optimizations contribute to a smoother and more reliable browsing experience.
SVG
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) enable the creation of high-quality, resolution-independent graphics on the web. The 187 update includes fixes and improvements to SVG support in Safari Technology Preview, ensuring accurate rendering of SVG images and enhancing the capabilities of web developers in creating visually stunning web experiences.
Web API
Web APIs provide developers with a way to interact with web browser functionality and access various features. In this update, Safari Technology Preview 187 introduces fixes and enhancements to Web APIs, expanding the range of tools and capabilities available to web developers. This allows for the creation of more powerful and interactive web applications.
WebGL
WebGL is a JavaScript API that enables the rendering of 3D graphics within the web browser. The 187 update includes optimizations and improvements to WebGL performance in Safari Technology Preview. These enhancements enhance the rendering speed and quality of 3D graphics, providing a more immersive experience for users engaging with WebGL content.
With these bug fixes and performance improvements across a wide range of areas, Safari Technology Preview 187 offers an enhanced browsing experience for users and empowers web developers with more capabilities and tools to create compelling web content. Developers and users alike are encouraged to provide feedback to Apple to further improve Safari’s development process.
