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Although there’s only one browser platform (WebKit) allowed on the iPad, there’s quite a bit of competition. My favorite of these is, and has been since my iPod touch days, iCab Mobile. Alexander Clauss has released a fresh version that packs major new features and refinements — step inside for the details.

If you’re serious about mobile writing, research and blogging then Dropbox is on your iPhone, iPod touch and/or iPad’s homescreen — it’s a necessity. Thereupon, iCab Mobile 4 (iTunes, $1.99) is one of only two idevices capable browsers that offer Dropbox integration.

But, the good new stuff doesn’t end there:

• Brightness control (iPad)
• New design for browser window (iPad)
• Download icon shows progress of active downloads (iPad)
• Bookmarks bar can be switched off (iPad)
• Dropbox support on iPhone and iPad
• Limited file upload supported
• In-page search now supports navigation between the search results
• Search the selected text in the default search engine
• New settings for low memory situations. iCab can display a warning and/or free inactive Tabs to get enough memory for the active Tab
• In fullscreen mode you can now enter a new URL
• Audio playback on web pages can continue when iCab is in the background
• Russian Translation

— See also: The changelog

For the me, in addition to Dropbox integration, the highlights include fullscreen URL typing, audio playback and, perhaps most important of all, the ability to manage open tabs when in a low-memory situation. What the heck is that?

Well, iCab Mobile is stable up to about six or seven open tabs. Thereafter, it’s not unusual for the browser to quit. Yes, it generally recovers nicely, but having the ability to take control of the situation before iCab crashes and you lose (perhaps) one or two open tabs is very welcome.

That said, I tried to crash iCab Mobile by opening 10 tabs and nothing happened. I’m guessing the under-the-hood memory management has gotten better, as well.

At $1.99, I think iCab Mobile 4 is a great value…

What’s your take?