(Guide/Review) Sidekick is a Chromium-based browser for work with interesting features

[Karlston]

Sidekick is a Chromium-based browser for work with interesting features

 

Sidekick is a web browser that is based on Chromium that is designed specifically for Internet workers. While it can be used by anyone, its feature-set has been designed with users in mind that spend most of the workday on the Internet and in Internet applications.

 

There are numerous Chromium-based web browsers available currently. Some of them major, e.g. Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Vivaldi, Brave, or Opera, and a lot of them minor. New browsers need to bring something to the table that distinguishes them from the established browsers; no one would switch just because a browser is new, but if it would offer something of interest, it would become more likely.

 

Sidekick is a free for personal use browser that is somewhat limited. The maker, PushPlayLabs Inc, based in San Francisco, promises that it will never sell user data, respect user privacy, keep user searches private, and do its best to block data-grabbing ads and trackers.

 

All versions of the web browser include an ad-blocker, support for Chrome extensions, a tab suspender, and work related features that distinguish the browser from others.

 

The free version is limited to running five apps in the browser's sidebar, and it lacks support for teams and roles, shared apps and passwords.

 

The user interface looks like that the standard Chromium interface on first glance.

 

 

When you open a new tab page for the first time you get an option to sign in using a work account; this is not required but it unlocks one of the browser's major features.

 

You get options to import data from other browsers (including logins), and you may select applications that you work with. Available for selection are core Internet apps and services such as Gmail, Google Calendar, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, or Facebook Messenger.

 

 

Sidekick displays apps in the sidebar once you are done setting things up.  The selected apps are listed as icons in the sidebar similarly to how the sidebar in Opera or Vivaldi provide access to web apps.

 

Direct access is not the only feature that the development team build around the supported apps. Apps supported badges, shortcuts, and also in-app searches that limits the search to the application's history. Searches may also be global to search across all open apps, tabs, and workspaces.

 

Users who need to access multiple accounts can do so using the browser as the functionality to sign-in to multiple accounts simultaneously is supported by all apps the service supports.

 

Another unique feature of Sidekick is its support for sessions out of the box. These work differently in Sidekick than in other browsers. Basically, what it does is allow users to save open tabs to sessions and to restore these sessions at a later point in time. Extensions like Tabby for Firefox or Tab Session Manager for Chromium-based browsers offer similar functionality.

 

Sidekick includes a tab suspender that is designed to reduce memory usage of the browser by automatically suspending tabs that have not been used for a while. The suspension reduces the memory usage of the browser significantly; extensions are available for Firefox and Chromium-based browsers that offer similar functionality, but these are third-party and not built-in.

 

Sidekick is based on Chromium which ensures that it offers good web compatibility.

 

Sidekick Pro, Team and Enterprise editions support additional features such as better team management and work options that include sharing passwords or apps. The Enterprise edition adds features such as a built-in VPN, two-factor authentication, built-in video calls, advanced reporting, activity tracking, and advanced browser configurations to the feature set.

Closing Words

Sidekick is designed for users who spend most of the work day on the Internet, e.g. as a social media manager, webmaster, marketing professional, or support agent.

 

Individual users may benefit from the browser as well, provided that they work with supported applications regularly. Many of the supported features can be added to other browsers by installing extensions. One of the appeals of Sidekick browser is that it provides these features out-of-the box.

 

The browser is available for Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems only at the time of writing.

 

Landing Page: https://www.meetsidekick.com/

 

 

Sidekick is a Chromium-based browser for work with interesting features