Last updated on 21 April 2025
Jieshuo Web Browser is a simple, barebones web browser included in the Jieshuo screen reader. It has a minimalist interface and only a few settings.
Table of Contents
Launching the Browser
There is no direct function that launches the browser. To open it, go to the screen reader settings, navigate to More, and select it from there.
Alternatively, Jieshuo’s extension capabilities can be used to create a custom function that launches the browser’s activity directly.
The browser can also be set as the system’s default for opening links. This is typically done from device settings, then Apps, then Default apps, and finally selecting Jieshuo+ as the default browser app.
UI and Features
When the browser is opened, it loads the selected search engine’s page by default. However, if it is launched through a function or extension that directly starts its activity, no page is loaded on launch.
The very few buttons are located at the top. In addition to Close, Refresh, and Back, there is a More Options button that includes:
- Forward: Goes forward in the browsing history.
- Enter Web Address: Opens the address bar where a link can be entered or text can be typed to perform a search using the selected search engine. When the address bar opens, the address of the current page is shown. This must be cleared manually before typing, as it is not replaced automatically. After entering the address or text, press OK.
- Copy Link: Copies the URL of the current page.
- Filter Ads: Attempts to load the page with ads blocked.
- Block Redirects: Prevents automatic page redirects.
Note that the Filter Ads and Block Redirects checkboxes are unchecked by default and remain checked only during the current browsing session. Once the browser is relaunched, they return to their unchecked state.
Choosing the Preferred Search Engine
To select the search engine used when searching for typed text in the address bar, go to Advanced Settings in the screen reader settings, then Voice Assistant and Translation Settings. There, find Search Engine and activate it.
Available options are: Baidu, Bing, Google, and Custom. To use a custom search engine, its link must be entered in the item next to the search engine setting (which is still in Chinese for now).
For example, you can enter this link to use DuckDuckGo:
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=
Press OK to save the changes.
Notes
- Since the web browser uses web views, you should expect the issue that affects web views, where focus is lost when encountering certain elements such as ads, while navigating a web page. Selecting the Filter Ads checkbox should help, though, as it blocks ads.
- The browser lacks customization options and key features like history and bookmarks. However, it is not intended to be a full-fledged web browser.
- I cannot comment on how well the browser works with major websites, as I rarely use it. However, it effectively blocked ads in articles. I was also able to open a YouTube video, but when trying to use the fast-forward or rewind buttons, the focus does not stay on the button after pressing it.
Useful Codes
To make any of the codes below a custom function, press More Options while customizing the gesture scheme you are using (for example, the Custom Scheme) and select Create a New Function. Type a name, then press OK. Now enter the function’s text and tap Save. You can then assign a gesture to the created function.
If you want to create the code as an extension that can be launched from the Extensions List, added to the main menu, assigned to gestures, or launched through the Voice Assistant (only launching it from the Extensions List is available in the free version), go to Extensions from the screen reader settings and tap New. Enter the name and press OK, then insert the function’s code and tap Save.
Launching the Browser
require "import"
import "android.content.*"
i = Intent()
.setComponent(ComponentName("com.nirenr.talkman", "com.nirenr.talkman.WebActivity"))
this.startActivity(i)
Opening a Link Through the Browser
this.openUrl("")
return true
Type the link between the quotation marks.
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