A beta version of Universe 3 is now available for download. Most Palm OS users I know use ACCESS Co.'s NetFront Browser, leaving Blazer behind.

But universe 3's features may win some converts:

• A Tabbed interface (supporting up to 3 tabs)


• An address bar featuring a URL box and navigation buttons


• An Integrated RSS reader


• Private browsing (mask the history, cache and cookies)


• Support for JPEG, GIF, BMP and PNG (with alpha channels) images


• Support for HTML/XHTML/WML/RSS 1.0/2.0


• Support for WAP 1.0/2.0


• Support for Hires and Hires+ screen sizes


• Advanced 5-Way scrolling (based off of the Nokia S60 Browser)


• No need for the Java VM!

The ability to browse tabs is already enough to pique my interest. The Nokia Mini Map browser may be good (the best actually), but it limits surfers to only one window, and a pop-up. I'm also sure that the integrated RSS reader will make it easy for users to stay up-to-date with their favorite websites.

Keep in mind that this version of Universe 3 is a beta; there are still some kinks to work out. But with plans to increase the tab limit, as well as support JavaScript, will the Universe 3 browser steal the crown from Mini Map?

Universe 3 works on Palm OS devices, version 5 or higher. It needs at least 1MB of memory.