The release of a new stable branch webkitgtk 2.44.0 has been announced, which is a port of the browser engine webkit for the GTK platform. Webkitgtk is designed for use in Gnome-oriented software interfaces based on Gobject, allowing integration of web-content processing tools into various applications, from specialized HTML/CSS parsing to full-function web browsers. Notable projects using Webkitgtk include the standard Gnome browser, Epiphany. Previously, Webkitgtk was used in the Midori browser, but the project transitioned to the Astian Foundation, leading to the abandonment of the old version of Midori on Webkitgtk and the creation of a new product with the same name.
Key changes in Webkitgtk 2.44.0 include:
- Support for rendering using x11 and wpe with improved synchronization to prevent tearing during rendering.
- Access to DOM components for people with disabilities in GTK4 interface development.
- Improved handling of keyboard combination events in GTK4.
- Establishment of gamepad support.
Based on Webkitgtk 2.44.0, the Gnome Web 46 browser release (Epiphany) has been created. Major changes in the Gnome Web 46 browser release include:
- Ability to close attached tabs.
- Support for authentication using smart cards (PKCS #11).
- Enhanced keyboard navigation in dropdown lists.
- Addition of a “Send Link by Email” option in the context menu for links.
- Option to insert highlighted text into the address bar when pressing the middle mouse button on the new tab button.
- Restriction of access to internal Epiphany APIs by external sites.
- Reduced interval for updating ad blocker filters on systems with limited connections.
- Improved context menu when highlighting text.
- Continued support for Google Safe Browsing servers.
- Hidden default actions for developers in the context menu.
- Translation of settings dialogue to use