I really wish that articles about "new browsers" should state up front what (if anything) they are built on top of.
Each time I am hopeful that someone has taken on the monumental task of creating a new, better, or at least different web engine/ browser. The competition would be good.
The near impossible complexity in writing a new web browser from scratch seems indicative as to how broken the system has gotten.
What would be the benefit of having a browser with a new web engine?
This is the right question. The answer is probably what you're thinking: Absolutely nothing. It'd be a giant waste of time to spend 5 years rebuilding plumbing instead of focusing on where one can actually differentiate.
It would be beneficial if it can be more easily modified and customized and the pieces can be taken apart and used independently or combined differently. Furthermore, some parts might be able to be made more efficient in some ways.
And then, actual progress and actual improvements can be made; to be improved would mean some things might need deliberately differently, etc. This way it can be one design mainly or only for advanced users who are assumed to know what they are doing, etc.
I say competition and innovation as well as selection. For browsers security. How can I mmention security?
Well, if Chromium has a serious bug, it impacts millions and millions.
Having different engines should hopefully mean some are immune to that particular one so you cant win the grand prize with a hack for one engine.
If someoone had asked the same question before chrome would you have agreed with them?
Being forthcoming about the engine of choice will help people set reasonable expectations… it's not a revolution, it's Chrome with a new coat of paint.
See https://mobile.twitter.com/awesomekling/status/1508953394836...